Linux-tips

Franklin Wireless's CDU 550 EVDO USB modem isn't detected by Ubuntu 7.10 out of the box (Fedora 8 does detect it). If you are like me and using this modem with Ubuntu or another distro which doesn't detect the modem, a solution:

We need to create a shell script. Open gedit (or the text editor of your choice). Copy and paste the following text:

#!/bin/bash
# usb : acm
echo -e "\033[32mMake Modem Device\033[0m"
for i in `seq 0 2` ; do
mknod /dev/ttyACM$i c 166 $i
done

echo -e "\033[32mMake Dual Mode Device\033[0m"
for i in `seq 0 2` ; do
mknod /dev/ttyUSB$i c 188 $i
done

echo -e "\033[32mMake driver rule\033[0m"
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5511
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5512
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5513
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5521
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5522
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5523
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5531
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5532
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5533
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5541
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5542
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5543
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5551
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5552
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5553
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5561
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5562
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x5563
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6011
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6012
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6013
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6021
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6022
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6023
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6511
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6512
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6513
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6521
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6522
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6523
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6531
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6532
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6533
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6541
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6542
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6543
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6551
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6552
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6553
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6561
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6562
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x16d8 product=0x6563

Next save the file as a shell script - with a name you will remember, for example: modem.sh

Make the file executable. From the terminal cd into the directory containing the file

sudo chmod a+x modem.sh

then execute the file:

sudo ./modem.sh

Your modem is now configurable - use wvdial - or networking from the system menu to set up your access. The modem is on /dev/ttyACM0

Ever want to mount an .iso image permanently in Linux? Got a program installed under wine that always searches for the disk? A solution:

First, create a directory which will be the mount point for the .iso image.

sudo mkdir /media/ISO/

If you've already ripped your .iso image - a tip. The file name should be in all CAPS - it may not work otherwise. Rename if necessary - or rip your image now being sure the file name is in all CAPS.

Now mount the image to the directory created earlier using the mount command. Here's an example.

sudo mount -o loop /home/user/FILE-NAME.iso /media/ISO/

Another tip: if you are in fact mounting a program to run under wine - you may need to create a symbolic link between your mount point - and wine:

sudo ln -s /media/ISO ~/.wine/dosdevices/m:

The final step is to edit the /etc/fstab file so that your .iso will automatically mount on start up. Type the command:

sudo gedit /etc/fstab

It will open the file. Add this line (edit as necessary for your .iso's directory location - and mount point location) to the bottom.

/home/user/FILE-NAME.iso /media/ISO/ iso9660 ro,loop,auto 0 0

Save and close the file. The .iso should now be automatically mounted on start up.

Links keep opening in Konqueror even though you've told Firefox to be your default browser? A solution:

From the terminal, type the command:

sudo update-alternatives --config x-www-browser

It will show your available browsers:

Selection Alternative
-----------------------------------------------
1 /usr/bin/firefox
*+ 2 /usr/bin/opera
3 /usr/bin/iceape

Enter the number corresponding to the browser you wish to set as default.