Mobile Internet Connection?

[Stoker580]

I feel a bit stupid having to ask for help on this as I'm sure that the answer will be something fairly obvious. I'm completely new to Ubuntu and can't see anywhere that I can make my USB modem make the actual connection to the internet.

I've running Ubuntu 9.10 on my Dell Inspiron 8500 - can't use 10.04 because of various issues. I've set up a network connection using System/Preferences/Network Connections - Mobile Broadband. However I can't find out how to make the actual connection. I've searched the forums looking for an answer but with no luck. Can anyone poit me in the right direction?

[foresthill]

What model modem are you using? They are all a bit different.

Many of these devices double as a flash drive, which stores the .exe files used to install the Windows software. If yours is like this, you'll need to "flip" the device so it's recognized as a modem. Do you have a flash drive listed when the device is plugged in?

[Stoker580]

Hi Thanks for your quick respose.

It's an Alcatel One Touch X060S HSDPA USB Modem. When I plug it in it appears as a USB drive. So how do I flip it?

[foresthill]

I have a different modem (Cricket A600) but I use the program usb_modeswitch. I believe 9.10 ships with usb_modeswitch already, though I could be mistaken.

You can check to see if it's installed in Synaptics or run this command:

sudo apt-get install usb-modeswitch 

However, you might want to wait and see if this is the correct procedure for you particular modem.

[Stoker580]

I just checked in Synaptic Package Manager and it is not installed so I have kicked off an installation of it. Will it flip the modem automatically?

[foresthill]

Once the program is installed, unplug the modem, and plug it back in and it should take 15-20 seconds to flip. You may have to reboot (don't ask me why) for it to flip properly.

[Stoker580]

OK so then how do I connect?

[foresthill]

Click the Network Manger icon and see if you have a mobile broadband connection listed. If so, click that and you should see some green swirling animation in the panel while it dials up and connects, which usually takes a few seconds.

Is the device still listed as a USB drive? If so, that means the modem did not flip and you won't be able to connect.

[Stoker580]

I've rebooted and when I plug in the modem it no longer registers as a USB Drive so that seems to be a step forward. Sorry to be so thick but where is the Network Manager that you refer to?

[foresthill]

It's up at the top right of the screen near the speaker and the date. When you click it, there should be a drop down menu listing your various network connections.