Motorola V3i as modem [solved]

[milothurston]

I've obtained Motorola V3i thinking that it would make a most useful modem. However, I have encountered the following problem. I have a university dial-up account that I'd like to use, as some services I'd like to access are restricted by IP address. If I dial the number on the phone then I can hear the normal ring tones and a modem on the other end, but if I attempt to dial via the computer then a tone indicating an incorrect number can be heard and ppp does the following:

[mrness]

your problem has nothing to do with pppd.
check your modem manual for related AT commands and test its dial capabilities through a terminal such as minicom.

[milothurston]

[icantux]

If your cell provider blocks CSD at the network level (for GSM phones) then there's no way you'll be able to use your cell phone as a modem for dial-up to a third-party ISP - period. Not through USB, not bluetooth, nothing will work - unless you call your ISP with your cell phone, then make a contraption for your computer to communicate with the earpiece of your cell phone to obtain a handshake (that's if you don't mind something less than 500 Byte throughput).

If, one the other hand, your cell phone is TDMA/CDMA, then there's a possibility of doing that, but I doubt that tech is still used in the UK. Regardless, that's why cell phone companies (GSM network) provide GPRS for data transfer - to get at your money!! In short, the cell phone company acts as an ISP, but won't allow you to connect to a third-party ISP using your cell phone. You want to go online using the cell, then you'll have to use their services to do it.

Call your provider and you'll see what I mean. Mention CSD and independent modem and they'll just tell you no way!
_________________
I am Bill of Borg. Resistance izkx GPF 0x5654 8820 Application
RESIST.EXE has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.

[milothurston]

Ah, I wondered if it was something like that - thanks for the explanation.
When I called them and explained what I was doing they said that there should be no problem, and my computer was evidently at fault. I'll try again with those particular words when I get a moment and see what happens.

[icantux]

The failure of connection following dialup, as shown in your first post, is a clear indication of the cell provider blocking CSD at the network level, regardless of what tier1 support tell you. If you can get through to technical support (tier2) they will tell you the same.
_________________
I am Bill of Borg. Resistance izkx GPF 0x5654 8820 Application
RESIST.EXE has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.

[milothurston]

They claim that they do allow CSD, but will charge 25p per minute for it. If I use their GPRS network, the charge will be 3 pounds per megabyte.
So, I've asked them to update my SIM card for the former, and we'll see what happens...

[icantux]

Ah! There you go.... So it was disabled until you requested an activation through your account. Have fun dialing out now!

[milothurston]

Indeed it was.
I wish they'd told me that when I asked in the first place!

Anyway, it does work. This is interesting considering the problems I encountered when trying to dial in with the internal modem.

[icantux]

The internal modem is a software modem and may not be fully functional without special "windows" drivers. Sad but true.

Glad to hear the outbound now works with the cell.

Perhaps the addition of [solved] in the title be in order?

[milothurston]

The internal modem is a Mac one, as this is an old Wallstreet. I wonder if it's faulty, as it is supposed to work properly with linux.