[NTLUG:Discuss] Modem install and configuration problem

[rseb]

Sorry, I attached this to another thread...

I'm hoping someone can help me get my computer talking to the internet. 
I only have access to the internet so a 56K modem is my only choice. 
I've installed Mandrake 9.1 because the price was right and with the
exception of the modem everything seems to be running OK.  Linux is the
only s/w loaded on this machine.

My computer has a modem that's part of the motherboard.  I tried
everything I know, which isn't a lot when it comes to Linux, to get the
computer connected to the ISP.  When I ask Mandrake to detect the modem
it finds it as "Unknown/Others: SiS7013 56K modem".  My activity on the
internet indicated that rarely, if at all, did a Winmodem work for a
Linux install.

I have a Best Data V.92 external serial cable modem (works for Win98
thru XP and Linux) which I bought for use on another computer so I
decided to hook it up.  Mandrake now finds the Modem category but does
not detect the modem itself.  The Modem category is empty except for the
words Modem repeated twice.  Device characteristics are not displayed as
they are for other devices (hd, cd-rom, etc.).  There are directions on
the package CD of Linux that have proven useless.  The Best Data
instructions suggest doing all configuration and setup in KDE, but I
have not observed the sequence of panels and buttons they suggest I
should see during my attempts.  Nor have I seen anything like they
suggest.

Please suggest a course of action.  Do I somehow have to make the other
modem undetectable?  I have specified the information for my ISP, but
without the modem it's useless.  Where do I go from here?  My expertise
in Linux is minimal since this is a hobby I'm just taking up.