About USB port in Linux

[ferrari27]

Hello,

I´m a Linux newbie, so I´m a little bit lost with it. I´d really like to install a Linux distribution (I have Mandrake 9.0 here), but I´m having problems to install the cable modem 3com HomeConnect and the HP deskjet845c printer... both through USB port.

I have had SuSE 7.2 before, and I tried to install the modem and the printer, that was impossible for me though I spent hours and hours trying it. Now I downloaded this new Mandrake version, hoping that USB ports would work... but in the installation I saw that when I had to set the modem up I only had a list of Ethernet card drivers... just like SuSE. I had to give it up when finishing the installation something referred to the boot it asked me for the installation CD, and I gave it to the computer (the CD1), but for the computer it wasn´t the right cd:-\

Do I have to accept that the only way to install the modem in Linux is with a network card? Is there any cable that can make my printer connect to the LPT1, the typical printer´s port, that maybe is more acceptable for Linux?

Why Linux and USB ports don´t get on well? Is there any Linux distribution that accepts USB? If not, will we have one in the future?

Thanks for your attention.

[Spot]

I can't say about the printer, but you might take a look at http://speedtouch.sourceforge.net/ in regards to your modem. I know it's Alcatel related, but it might clue you in on getting the 3com functioning.

[JimH]

HP deskjet845c printer

http://hpinkjet.sourceforge.net/

Jim H