Interesting problem with ActionTec modem/WiFi combo in 600X

[rkawakami]

I have been working with Robin Mutoid on an interesting project: installing an ActionTec T23 MiniPCI modem/wireless combo card (FRU 12P3637) inside a 600X. We have both been able to get the wireless section recognized and functional in Windows but the modem is still not "seen" by any of the usual means; Device Manager or the Add New Hardware wizard. Some things we have tried:

- installing various modem drivers (probably useless as Windows can't see it anyway)
- disabling the infrared port (on the assumption that it's grabbing an IRQ or COM port before the modem can)
- manually adding a serial port COM4 to Windows in the hopes that the modem would see it and latch on
- manually trying to add a modem in Device Manager
- initializing the 600X BIOS

I think we've come to the conclusion that the 600X BIOS simply is not allowing the modem to be accessed. I'm using the latest BIOS version (ITET55WW) and Windows XP. Robin, I believe, is using the same BIOS and has tried both Windows XP and 2000.

Does anybody know if there's a little "trick" to getting this to work? Is there any known edit we can make in the 600X BIOS using the hex editor? Maybe a Windows hack???

[Robbyrobot]

What happens when you disable the wireless section? Still no modem detected?

[Robin Mutoid]

Affirmative.. the OS does not recognise the Modem even with the Wireless portion disabled.

It may be a BIOS Hex editing issue.. who has experience of this> A 'map'?

Thanks Robin.

[Dark Savant0]

Have you been able to access it under an alternative operating system (ie Linux). You should be able to pop in a an Ubuntu LiveCD and do the following command: 'lspci -v' . That should list all the devices attached to the 600X.

[Robin Mutoid]

I've only tried 2K & XP.. but have an Ubuntu CD hidden away somewhere so I'll try it and get back to you.. Thanks! Do I leave the HDD in position?

Robin.

[Dark Savant0]

You can leave the HD in place, just as long as you don't install Ubuntu or anything...

Be warned, the wait time is horrendous and there are anomalies with the sound card (it detects it as a different model). You won't have sound probably, but it should detect SOMETHING for the modem/wifi.

[Dark Savant0]

PMs with Robin Mutoid have revealed the following output of lspci -v

Code: Select all

0000:00:03.0 Network Controller: Intersil Corporation Prism 2.5 Wavelan chipset (rev 01).
Subsystem: Actiontec Electronics Inc: Unknown Device 0406
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 11
Memory at 28000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=4K]
Capabilities: <available only to root> 

I've found the following on Thinkwiki:

Code: Select all

 [b]Also known (in IBM literature) as....[/b]

    * Mini PCI 802.11b/v.92 modem combo card (ACTIONTEC)
    * Actiontec (802.11b wireless / 56K modem)
    * Actiontec IEEE 802.11b/Modem
    * High rate wireless/modem Mini PCI combo card 

[b]Linux WiFi driver[/b]

This adapter works with the 'orinoco_pci' driver as part of any recent 2.4 or 2.6 kernel.
In addition the 'hostap' driver can also be used.

[b]Linux Modem driver[/b]

http://www.smlink.com Use SLMODEM driver for this modem (Smart Link Modem)

IBM has a page on it here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51424

Is any of this any help? Perhaps Linux can use it but something in the Windows Install won't let it be enabled...

[rkawakami]

I don't know. The wireless section is not, and as far as I know, never been the problem. We have not been able to get the 56K modem recognized/installed/activated by Windows. Device Manager and Add New Hardware wizard does not "see" anything related to a modem being installed in the system.

[Dark Savant0]

If I had one, I could test out the SLModem myself. But alas, I am broke at the moment and have more pressing matters (CD Caddys!).

If either of you have a spare drive, you could try to install Ubuntu and the SLModem driver?

[jamiphar]

Did you guys ever find a way to get the modem working? I have an Atheros wireless-b card in my 600X now, but I'd like to use a combo card if it could have a working modem.

[Robin Mutoid]

Hi... I think Ray has given up on it as I have not heard from him for weeks.. likewise 'Darksavant0'.. but I have at last managed to install a dual boot Win 2K + 'Ubuntu' setup on my 600X and am awaiting the return of my 'Linux-expert' friend from his holidays before presenting him with the problem unit to explore.. will keep you posted!! Hopefully this will tell us whether it is a Motherboard configuration glitch or an OS glitch!

Robin.