sportster modem configuration for Red Hat

I assumed it's a pnp modem. For a pnp device, there's a pnp tool for linux called isapnp tool and it should have included with redhat 5.2 distribution.

1. make sure you have installed isapnp tool package
2. pnpdump > /etc/isapnp.conf
3. edit your /etc/isapnp.conf (you must known the configuration of your modem such as in which port it's connected to). You can check this info from windows control panel setting, or play around with it. There're only less than 10 choices, so if one choice doesn't work, you can try the other one.  I think you will need to uncomment 3 lines only. 2 for the port and irq setting, the other is the "ACT Y" line at the end of the file.

4. isapnp /etc/isapnp.conf
5. reboot

Many people use minicom program to check their modems work or not, but I use a simple   and stupid way :)

in linux, COM1 = /dev/ttyS0, COM2 = /dev/ttyS1, COM3 = /dev/ttyS2, and COM4 = /dev/ttyS3

So, if my modem is connected to com1 or /dev/ttyS0, I would type:

more /dev/ttyS0

then if my modem works, I would hear a sound click. If not, then you wouldn't hear a sound click and you will back to the shell prompt.

Using minicom is not hard either. Just run minicom -s and you will need to setup couple things, and use: atdtxxx-xxxx   (xxx-xxxx is any phone number)

isapnptools webpage is at http://www.roestock.demon.co.uk/isapnptools/

it is not working, but let me be specific about what i've done so far...my numbering corresponds to your numbering...
1. package IS included with basic red hat installation
2. typed pnpdump > /etc/isapnp.conf...next line returned root
3. typed    vi /etc/isapnp.conf      ...returned with 50 or so "Trying port address 0203 through 03fb"
"#No boards found"
NOTE:i used your  more /dev/tty/S0 through S3 and my external modem turned on second light only when the S3 port was set... so
i assume my modem is configured to com port 4 or S3.
i have gotten no further than this
buglerug

Why do you need to setup anything for your modem.... Linux is not like win95 where you need to install a driver for your modem....

get the program ezppp.... run that.... configure it for a dial up account... select the port where your modem is.... set it to run in debug mode....
http://www.serv.net/~cameron/ezppp/

login using your login and password and you will be connected.... make sure you disable your NIC when you dial up...

I got mine running in less than 10 minutes... red hat 5.2 with some very crappy modem...

get the static precompiled binary... and follow the simple readme file.. and you shall not stray far

bluepet

these directions were even more confusing than the last answer...
i do not find the READ ME text simple or understandable by any means. i am new to linus and i am proud that i have been able to install it on my own with no help...screwdriver's answer though facile assumes that i understand both his terminology "get the program...run it", "run in the debug mode,"disable the NIC" and finally the "simple READ ME file" which i found incomprehinsible.
Doesn't anyone speak english anymore, especially to a new user???