How to Connect a Modem device on a Laptop or Desktop Computer running Linux Mint KDE 9 or Kubuntu without installing software. This tutorial can work for all Linux Distributions.
After numerous attempts to get my Orange Modem working, I finally found a way to connect to the Internet. Many tutorials online often give people references to a certain command in the terminal called wvdial.config. This is an extremely difficult way to configure a modem, and it may not work for everybody, especially for people who are new to Linux Mint KDE editions or other Linux Distributions that aren't so straightforward.
Surprisingly, configuring a Modem in Ubuntu Gnome edition is like drinking water, just plug and play.
So I simply copied my modem device settings from my Ubuntu Desktop and transferred them to Linux Mint KDE 9. My Modem worked perfectly fine. Chances are that if your Modem works in Ubuntu it can work in any other Linux Distribution including Linux Mint KDE 9.
Surprisingly, configuring a Modem in Ubuntu Gnome edition is like drinking water, just plug and play.
So I simply copied my modem device settings from my Ubuntu Desktop and transferred them to Linux Mint KDE 9. My Modem worked perfectly fine. Chances are that if your Modem works in Ubuntu it can work in any other Linux Distribution including Linux Mint KDE 9.
So, I will show you how I got the settings from Ubuntu which I transferred to Linux Mint KDE 9:
Open Network Connections in Ubuntu
Set your number to *99#
Set your APN to your service providers name. In my case it was orange.ug
Leave the Username, the Password, the PIN, and the Network boxes empty!!!!!!
Look for PPP settings and ensure that all the Authentication methods are all checked. An example of these is PAP,EAP,CHAP,etc.
Leave your IPv4 Settings to the default configuration. Not all Linux Distributions may have this feature in their Network Connection settings.
I will now transfer my Ubuntu Connection settings to my Linux Mint KDE 9 Desktop.
Once you've opened your Linux Mint KDE 9 Desktop, plug in your modem. Once your modem is plugged in, you should see the icon of a cellular phone A.K.A Cell Phone in the Task bar/ task panel. Now go to Network Connections. If you can't find it in the Task bar/ task panel for whatever reason, go to the Start Menu A.K.A Kickoff Application Launcher and type Network Connections in the Search box.
Notice the Cell Phone in the Task panel/Task bar. It indicates whether your modem has been detected
Now, click the Mobile
Broadband Tab within the Network Connections window. You should see a
Connection called New Cellular Connection or something similar to
that.
-Highlight that connection and click the Edit menu to the right.
Now, type *99# in the Number box.
Leave the Username box, the Password box, the PIN box and the PUK box empty unless your Modem doesn't require them. In other words if your SIM card in the Modem came with a PIN, then you must type it in the PIN box. Sometimes your Internet Service Provider may give a you a Username and a Password which you would therefore have to type in. Not all Internet Service Providers have the same requirements.
Type your Internet Service Providers name in the APN box. Mine was orange.ug. If you can't find your ISP's name you could either call your Customer Service line or ask around if you have no Internet access. If you happen to have access to the Internet, search for your ISP using Google, or even better, visit your ISP's website.
In the Connection Name box, type in a name for your Modem. Mine was Orange Connection 1. Giving your Modem a random name won't affect the way it works.
Next, go to the PPP tab and ensure that all the Authentication Methods are checked.
Leave the rest as it is and click OK. You can check the Connect automatically check box if you want the Modem to be connected automatically as soon as you plug it.
Now to connect to the Internet, just click the Cell Phone Icon in the Task bar/ Task Panel and the click the connection you have just created.
Congratulations you've just connected your Modem onto Linux Mint KDE 9
Very Important Points to Note!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This tutorial is putting into consideration that you are using a Huawei Modem Device. Other Modem Devices have not been tested using this method, so you'll be the first to let me know how that goes, if it hasn't already been done.
Not all Linux Distributions will have the same methods of detecting Modem devices. Some Distros may require you to enter information using the Terminal.
This Tutorial is obviously not for Command Based Linux Distributions although the settings concepts are transferable and universal.
I am using Ubuntu as a reference, because most Modems work really well on it. If for any reason this tutorial still doesn't help you, try connecting your Modem in Ubuntu. You could then just transfer the settings as I have done and you'll be good to go.
