Connect a mobile 3g phone/modem

[palimmo]

Hi!
I would like to surf the web via my phone LG GT540 (Android 2.1) on this laptop with LMDE 64bit.
Months ago I have used it on the same laptop but with Ubuntu 12.04. And it worked: just after a few seconds the "mobile broadband connection" appeared into the network menu.

How can I use it under LMDE?
I plug the mobile but no additional voices appear into the network menu.

What should I do?
thanks!

Code: Select all

~ $ lsusb
Bus 008 Device 003: ID 1004:61b4 LG Electronics, Inc. 

[palimmo]

Any idea? :/

[palimmo]

dmesg | grep usb

Code: Select all

[11490.048036] usb 8-5: reset high-speed USB device number 2 using ehci_hcd
[11493.400034] usb 8-2: new high-speed USB device number 3 using ehci_hcd
[11493.638014] usb 8-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1004, idProduct=61b4
[11493.638018] usb 8-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[11493.638021] usb 8-2: Product: LG Mobile USB Modem
[11493.638023] usb 8-2: Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc.
[11493.638025] usb 8-2: SerialNumber: 80A355614042561752
[11493.742026] usbcore: registered new interface driver uas
[11493.752815] scsi6 : usb-storage 8-2:1.0
[11493.752912] usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage
[11880.894299] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
[11880.894338] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
[11880.894340] usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
[11907.024546] usb 8-2: USB disconnect, device number 3
[11910.204069] usb 8-2: new high-speed USB device number 4 using ehci_hcd
[11910.338781] usb 8-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1004, idProduct=61b4
[11910.338787] usb 8-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[11910.338792] usb 8-2: Product: LG Mobile USB Modem
[11910.338796] usb 8-2: Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc.
[11910.338799] usb 8-2: SerialNumber: 80A355614042561752
[11910.339987] scsi7 : usb-storage 8-2:1.0
[11964.441884] usb 8-2: USB disconnect, device number 4
[11967.404068] usb 8-2: new high-speed USB device number 5 using ehci_hcd
[11967.538671] usb 8-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1004, idProduct=61b4
[11967.538677] usb 8-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[11967.538682] usb 8-2: Product: LG Mobile USB Modem
[11967.538686] usb 8-2: Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc.
[11967.538690] usb 8-2: SerialNumber: 80A355614042561752
[11967.539644] scsi8 : usb-storage 8-2:1.0
[12253.877290] usb 8-2: USB disconnect, device number 5
[12256.728078] usb 8-2: new high-speed USB device number 6 using ehci_hcd
[12256.862767] usb 8-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1004, idProduct=61b4
[12256.862773] usb 8-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[12256.862778] usb 8-2: Product: LG Mobile USB Modem
[12256.862781] usb 8-2: Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc.
[12256.862785] usb 8-2: SerialNumber: 80A355614042561752
[12256.864042] scsi9 : usb-storage 8-2:1.0
[12953.671081] usb 8-2: USB disconnect, device number 6
[12956.088079] usb 8-2: new high-speed USB device number 7 using ehci_hcd
[12956.222743] usb 8-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1004, idProduct=61b4
[12956.222747] usb 8-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[12956.222750] usb 8-2: Product: LG Mobile USB Modem
[12956.222752] usb 8-2: Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc.
[12956.222754] usb 8-2: SerialNumber: 80A355614042561752
[12956.223914] scsi10 : usb-storage 8-2:1.0
[13376.913767] usb 8-2: USB disconnect, device number 7
[13379.604047] usb 8-2: new high-speed USB device number 8 using ehci_hcd
[13379.738894] usb 8-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1004, idProduct=61b4
[13379.738900] usb 8-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[13379.738905] usb 8-2: Product: LG Mobile USB Modem
[13379.738909] usb 8-2: Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc.
[13379.738912] usb 8-2: SerialNumber: 80A355614042561752

[SirSelim]

I'm not sure if this is going to be helpful, but here we go...

I have a Galaxy Ace (GT-S5830) running Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) and I tether to my laptop running LMDE (tracking sid/experimental). When I connect the phone via usb I have to set up tethering through the settings on the phone:
- 'settings' -> 'wireless and networks' -> 'Tethering and portable hotspots' -> select 'USB tethering'

After activating that I see the network notification telling me that I am tethered and accessing Internet via my 3g connection.

I've never used Android versions below Fryo (2.2) so like I stated above this might not be applicable.

edit: dmesg | grep usb (if useful)

Code: Select all

usb 2-1.3: new high-speed USB device number 5 using ehci-pci
usb 2-1.3: New USB device found, idVendor=04e8, idProduct=689e
usb 2-1.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
usb 2-1.3: Product: Samsung Android USB Device
usb 2-1.3: Manufacturer: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
usb 2-1.3: SerialNumber: S5830
usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
scsi6 : usb-storage 2-1.3:1.3
usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage

[palimmo]

I'm not sure if this is going to be helpful, but here we go...

I have a Galaxy Ace (GT-S5830) running Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) and I tether to my laptop running LMDE (tracking sid/experimental). When I connect the phone via usb I have to set up tethering through the settings on the phone:
- 'settings' -> 'wireless and networks' -> 'Tethering and portable hotspots' -> select 'USB tethering'

After activating that I see the network notification telling me that I am tethered and accessing Internet via my 3g connection.

I've never used Android versions below Fryo (2.2) so like I stated above this might not be applicable.

edit: dmesg | grep usb (if useful)

Code: Select all

usb 2-1.3: new high-speed USB device number 5 using ehci-pci
usb 2-1.3: New USB device found, idVendor=04e8, idProduct=689e
usb 2-1.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
usb 2-1.3: Product: Samsung Android USB Device
usb 2-1.3: Manufacturer: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
usb 2-1.3: SerialNumber: S5830
usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
scsi6 : usb-storage 2-1.3:1.3
usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage

Thanks SirSelim.
Unfortunately my mobile has Android 2.1 and I cannot tether... And Sakis3G fails too.
Therefore I need another solution

[palimmo]

Any other idea? :\

[SirSelim]

Sorry you haven't got this sorted. I have a couple more ideas, but they might not be ideal.

- there appears to be a few apps available in the play store that allow usb tethering from Android 2.1 and up (EasyTether has apparently worked for some, but ymmv).

- the more 'drastic' approach would be installing a custom rom. Not for the fant of heart, but if you like to tinker and take your time it's fairly straight forward. There are LG GT540 custom roms for 2.2.1 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=857213), 2.3.7 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=927379, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1217581), and even jellybean 4. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1774515).

Again, not sure how you feel about custom roms, but it's an option. I'll continue to have a think about why it's not working for you in LMDE, have you tried/do you have the chance of trying in a plain debian install?

[palimmo]

Sorry you haven't got this sorted. I have a couple more ideas, but they might not be ideal.

- there appears to be a few apps available in the play store that allow usb tethering from Android 2.1 and up (EasyTether has apparently worked for some, but ymmv).

- the more 'drastic' approach would be installing a custom rom. Not for the fant of heart, but if you like to tinker and take your time it's fairly straight forward. There are LG GT540 custom roms for 2.2.1 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=857213), 2.3.7 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=927379, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1217581), and even jellybean 4. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1774515).

Again, not sure how you feel about custom roms, but it's an option. I'll continue to have a think about why it's not working for you in LMDE, have you tried/do you have the chance of trying in a plain debian install?

Thanks SirSelim.
But Easytethering doesn't work with my mobile and I don't want to mess up everything installing a new rom...
Like with Ubuntu (that is debian beased) I was able to use it was out of the box.
Why is it so different and difficult with LMDE?

thanks!

[SirSelim]

Thanks SirSelim.
But Easytethering doesn't work with my mobile and I don't want to mess up everything installing a new rom...
Like with Ubuntu (that is debian beased) I was able to use it was out of the box.
Why is it so different and difficult with LMDE?

thanks!

Fair enough on the custom roms, if the phone ain't broken don't 'fix' it right?

May I ask what version of LMDE you're running? (kernel etc)
Mine for example, tracking sid:

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miles@miles_laptop:~$ cat /etc/debian_version
jessie/sid

miles@miles_laptop:~$ inxi -S
System:    Host: miles_laptop Kernel: 3.9-4.dmz.1-liquorix-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) 
           Desktop: Cinnamon 1.8.8  Distro: Linux Mint Debian Edition

[palimmo]

Thanks SirSelim.
But Easytethering doesn't work with my mobile and I don't want to mess up everything installing a new rom...
Like with Ubuntu (that is debian beased) I was able to use it was out of the box.
Why is it so different and difficult with LMDE?

thanks!

Fair enough on the custom roms, if the phone ain't broken don't 'fix' it right?

May I ask what version of LMDE you're running? (kernel etc)
Mine for example, tracking sid:

Code: Select all

miles@miles_laptop:~$ cat /etc/debian_version
jessie/sid

miles@miles_laptop:~$ inxi -S
System:    Host: miles_laptop Kernel: 3.9-4.dmz.1-liquorix-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) 
           Desktop: Cinnamon 1.8.8  Distro: Linux Mint Debian Edition

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alessio@alessio-laptop ~ $ cat /etc/debian_version
wheezy/sid
alessio@alessio-laptop ~ $ inxi -S
System:    Host alessio-laptop Kernel 3.2.0-4-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Distro LinuxMint 1 debian
alessio@alessio-laptop ~ $ 

[kurotsugi]

you need up7 to make your phone detected as modem. or else, you can migrate to testing.

[palimmo]

you need up7 to make your phone detected as modem. or else, you can migrate to testing.

up7? what's this?

[SirSelim]

you need up7 to make your phone detected as modem. or else, you can migrate to testing.

up7? what's this?

I think kurotsugi is talking about LMDE's update pack system. Tracking unstable/sid I haven't used update packs since UP3 so I'm a bit out of the loop, but I thought the current was UP6? Edit (for clarification): Update packs are collected bundles of updates that are thoroughly tested before becoming releasable 'update packs' - with the aim being to release them every 'few' months. Current is indeed UP6 with UP7 somewhere on the horizon.

I think what we are both getting at here is that you may have to update your system to get the same results you saw in Ubuntu in terms of being able to use/share your 3g internet. Do you know what kernel version the Ubuntu distro was using?

[kurotsugi]

yup...that's what i mean with up. however the kernel doesnt really matter. mobile connection is controlled by different packages. we need it to make your system reconize your phone as modem.

[palimmo]

so.. what's your advice?

[SirSelim]

so.. what's your advice?

Well that's a tough one, as it's very much up to you as to the direction you feel comfortable taking... and I wouldn't want somebody to jump into testing and/or unstable, and potentially break their system on my 'advice'!

As far as I can see the 'best' options are either:

a) If you want to keep LMDE then track either testing or unstable and see whether this allows LMDE to detect your phone as a modem
- the more 'correct' way to do this would probably be create a virtual install of LMDE, point at testing, dist-upgrade, and check whether you can now use your device as a modem via 3g. If this doesn't work you could try pointing at unstable and repeating. Since it's all in a virtual machine if it breaks it doesn't effect your actual install. You could even spend time pulling in separate packages from testing/unstable if you had an idea of what was required to get you up and running... but doing this blind seems quite futile.
- *if* the above worked (and this is not me recommending it!!) and you decided to point your actual day-to-day LMDE at testing or unstable you'd of course make backups and clones to protect yourself!

b) you know it works on other distros (you mentioned Ubuntu), so if it's essential then maybe switch from LMDE to Mint Oliva or equivalent, or dual-boot a distro with working 3g functionality (for when your traveling) and LMDE (for when you have wireless or wired LAN).

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, I have only ever had Android 2.2 or higher (I just upgraded to a Nexus 4 and 4.3) so have never come across this issue. Happy to continue being a sounding board for what its worth.

[palimmo]

thanks a lot for your time, sirselim!

If I won't find a "soft" solution, I'll continue using Ubuntu to connection via mobile. I have it in dual boot on the same laptop.
What a pity... I really like LMDE!