No COM Ports

[nocomport]

Hi,

Firt of all, I'm not sure if it is a Linux issue, still trying out my luck ...

I have a Compaq Presario 12XL505 Laptop. I don't see any COM ports in the "Device Manager" even when I clean install Win2K Pro. So I can't connect to the internet, the modem driver seems to be installed perfectly. I tried re-installing OS, but didn't help. I do not have any conflicts in any devices. If I scan for hardware changes, nothing is discovered. All the device drivers are upto date.

If I install any ISP dialer (NetZero/MSN), and attempt to dial, I get error "can't open port".

The system used to work perfectly before I installed RedHat Linux 8.0 on one partition. I don't want to believe that Linux distroyed any hardware. I do not have any Linux dialer yet, neither is that a priority at this point. In fact I don't know how exactly to try my existing MSN account (or NetZero) for Internet.

Anyb'dy with a solution, please help.

Thanks,

Vishal

[pauper]

first off, as you are probably aware, you are in W2k which is WAY off topic for this forum.

Secondly, on the presario 12xl laptop series, its referred to as TTA0 and TTA1 instead of COM1 and COM2 (just to confuddle things a bit)

Thurdley (well, it is 4:30am!!) if you are trying to dial up, do you have an external modem? If not, I'm guessing you are barking up the wrong tree and should look at your pcmcia drivers to enable your pc card modem.

Let me reassure you that it is not possible for a linux install to destroy hardware - most of the damage that could be done is from heat and most components these days have thermal cutouts to prevent that - the whole system would come to a screeching halt before it commits hari-kari. What may have happened is that you blew away a partition that contained the W2K drivers when you installed RH8 - just remember that computers are dumb animals, they don't do anything they aren't told to!

First thing you need to do is find out where your modem really is and give us some clues. Yes, this is internet, but nobody has ever been identified by the configuration of their computer (serial numbers apart, and we're not asking for those). Let us know the hardware details, the precise errors you are getting and, since this is a linux forum, boot into redhat to get the info so we can all stay on topic, ok?

[nocomport]

Do I smell something burning ? ;)

If I reset BIOS to defaults, after each time I try dialing in Linux, I don't get any error.

Now, this is for pauper:
Dude, W2K was not way-off the topic, as I told you I have Linux in one partition ... besides Chapter 2 (page 21), of RedHat Linux 8.0 installation guide reads "Learning about your Hardware with Windows", and mentions all about Windows 9x and Windows 2000.

Yes, you are right, COM1 and COM2 are called TTA0 and TTA1 ... and taskbar is called 'panel', which screws-up the system if you put GNome panel vertically and try re-booting Linux :rolleyes: ... and in Network Connection Wizard, 4 countries are listed, but not US of A :( ... so I can't dial-up, register my RedHat and get that 1 month Tech. support promised to me :mad: ... and each time I boot in Linux, Windows hangs for the next time, I need to re-boot again to get it working :confused: ...

I used to be a strong supporter of Linux, till I read your reply. Jesus bless this forum. I can forward my serial numbers .. but by what authority are you asking those? I don't want those to end up on Ocsar.

And by-the-way, I'm not sure about you, but I speak!

[Dun'kalis]

He said he DIDN'T want your serial number.

Oh, and nothing GNOME will do will screw up your system. I've never encountered an OS that can break/mess up hardware.

Go to www.linux-on-laptops.org and look for your laptop. There may be some special information on it. If all else fails, contact HPaq and ask them some questions about your hardware.