Redhat 9 - Modem Kinda works but doesn't

[gcb]

I have 2 modems:

Best Data 56k External Serial Modem
Intel 536ep Internal "linmodem"

Both modems actually dial-up to my ISP & they both connect. I have actually gotten both modems to "work" (surf the net), but only one time apiece. I have connected & reconnected continuously, but there is no data transfer. I have no problems with WinXP & these 2 modems. Anyone know what my problem might be? Thanks!
Dave.

[mdwatts]

It's kinda hard to tell what the problem could be, so I would really suggest you have a look through your logfiles (pppd logfile and /var/log/messages) for anything related to the dropped connection etc.

[gcb]

this is a section from my /var/log/messages



Sep 27 15:16:29 Joshua ifup-ppp: pppd started for ppp0 on /dev/modem at 57600
Sep 27 15:16:29 Joshua pppd[4213]: pppd 2.4.1 started by root, uid 0
Sep 27 15:16:30 Joshua wvdial[4228]: WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.53
Sep 27 15:16:30 Joshua wvdial[4228]: Initializing modem.
Sep 27 15:16:30 Joshua wvdial[4228]: Sending: ATZ
Sep 27 15:16:30 Joshua wvdial[4228]: ATZ
Sep 27 15:16:31 Joshua wvdial[4228]: OK
Sep 27 15:16:31 Joshua wvdial[4228]: Modem initialized.
Sep 27 15:16:31 Joshua wvdial[4228]: Sending: ATDT4523301
Sep 27 15:16:31 Joshua wvdial[4228]: Waiting for carrier.
Sep 27 15:16:31 Joshua wvdial[4228]: ATDT4523301
Sep 27 15:16:59 Joshua wvdial[4228]: CONNECT 40000
Sep 27 15:16:59 Joshua wvdial[4228]: Carrier detected. Chatmode finished.
Sep 27 15:16:59 Joshua pppd[4213]: Serial connection established.
Sep 27 15:17:00 Joshua pppd[4213]: Using interface ppp0
Sep 27 15:17:00 Joshua pppd[4213]: Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/modem
Sep 27 15:17:00 Joshua /etc/hotplug/net.agent: assuming ppp0 is already up
Sep 27 15:17:02 Joshua modprobe: modprobe: Can't locate module ppp-compress-21
Sep 27 15:17:02 Joshua modprobe: modprobe: Can't locate module ppp-compress-21
Sep 27 15:17:32 Joshua pppd[4213]: IPCP: timeout sending Config-Requests
Sep 27 15:17:38 Joshua pppd[4213]: Connection terminated.
Sep 27 15:17:38 Joshua /etc/hotplug/net.agent: NET unregister event not supported
Sep 27 15:17:39 Joshua pppd[4213]: Exit.



what's this about the ppp-compress-21? Could that be my problem, & what is it? Thanks again!
Dave