How do i write an update for my modem driver

[linux_infant]

I am running linux mandrake 7.1 and have recently found a modem driver for my connexant soft 56k modem ( yes i know it is a winmodem)however the driver was compiled for kernel 2.2.14-5.0 and it won't work under mandrake 7.1 because the kernel is a newer version. Can anyone tell me how to write an update or where i can find the info to teach myself. the driver is:
HSF1.01.02K2.2.14-5.0 i got it from the linmodem site. I would like to be able to come here under mandrake but have to use windows at the moment.
Thanks in advance...

[Mikenell]

I think I need that driver too for my laptop. What exact modem do you have? Mine is a Conexant SoftK56 Data, Fax PCI. I think that the drier will be the same, and I'd like to help you somehow update the driver if I can.
Mikenell

[linux_infant]

I have a Connexant soft56k data fax pci modem as well.The place i saw the driver is at: http://www.o2.net/~gromitkc/winmodem.html

but as i said above it uses the 2.2.14 kernel and mandrake 7.1 uses the newer version.Two heads are better than one but where do we start????

[Muzzafarath]

You've got two choices:

1. Downgrade your kernel to 2.2.14.
2. Recompile the module for your kernel (it shouldn't require any changes to compile).

[linux_infant]

Thanks for the help i will try to recompile the module and see how that works.

[Mikenell]

Lemme know if it works. I would try too but my laptop doesnt have linux atm for the very reason of the modem not working in it.
Thanks
Mikenell

[Mikenell]

Maybe its because I untarred it in windows but that tarball seems to have 1 extensionless file in it, so how are you going to recompile it? Have you gotten another file with the source?
Mikenell

[SubPar]

That file seems to be a gzipped tar file with only .tar extension. The extensionless file you got is actually a tarfile. Rename it with a .tar extension and then unpack it.

Unfortunately, they're all compiled modules, no source. If you want to use those, you're stuck with kernel 2.2.14. Sorry.

[This message has been edited by SubPar (edited 19 November 2000).]

[Mikenell]

That worked thanks. But theres still no source in the file, only a lot of .o (modules?) an installation script and a couple other things.
Mikenell

[linux_infant]

Thanks to everone for all the info i think i would rather stick with the current kernel i have rather than go backwards. Who knows there might be be a time when more drivers for winmodems are available, until then i will carry on learning as much as i can about linux.

[SlCKB0Y]

I dont help cross-posters.

thats just plain rude

[SlCKB0Y]

Originally posted by Muzzafarath:
You've got two choices:

1. Downgrade your kernel to 2.2.14.
2. Recompile the module for your kernel (it shouldn't require any changes to compile).


Can't you also actually use older modules with a newer kernel? When you compile a kernel there is an option to allow this to be safely done.


# Loadable module support
#
CONFIG_MODULES=y
CONFIG_MODVERSIONS=y
CONFIG_KMOD=y


The bold one is the kernel option that allows you to use different version modules with a different kernel.

[Mikenell]

Will that work in 2.4 when its released too?
Mikenell

[Shad]

Likely, there is going to be an incompatible version of PPP. That was the case with the LT winmodem module. Probably the fixes for the LT winmodem will work for the Rockwell/Conexant modem. I wasn't able to get the fixes to work with my Lucent, but I didn't fool too much with it. I figured that with the rarity I use the modem I would just add a old kernel and boot to that when I want to use the modem. I am only going to be using the modem on the road, as I have DSL at home.

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