I have an annoying problem on my linux box currently that for some reason causes the modem to fail to connect on the first dialout attempt to my ISP but it connects on the second attempt each time I need to connect. As this failure to connect first time is costing me, I am looking at getting a linmodem ie an external USB US Robotics. My current setup: -Internal ISA 3Com modem I have however seen comments on this list that a external SERIAL modem is a guaranteed hardware modem and this is making me wonder if the USB option is not a true external modem. I would prefer not to use my serial port as I may require it from time to be used in addition to using a modem, and after all I have 2 USB ports so I may as well use them. I have had a look at the Linux modem compatibility page at http://free.hostdepartment.com/g/gromitkc/usblist.html and have seen that there is a USB USR modem available that will work with linux. The lists comments? -- ======================================================================== Hylton Conacher - Licenced Windows user Registered Linux user # 229959 Using Linux Mandrake 9.0 with KDE 3 on a 2.4.19-16mdk kernel ========================================================================