Get the built in hsdpa modem working on the Dell Mini 9 with Ubuntu 8.10

The Dell Mini 9 is a great little netbook with the advantage of having a hsdpa modem built in. Of course, this is all supported under Windows by a whole ream of drivers and dial-up software. Ubuntu 8.10 supports the Mini 9 very well, with wireless working out of the box. The hsdpa modem needs a nudge, but will work without too much difficulty.

In order to get the built in hsdpa (3G) modem in the Dell Mini 9 working under Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) you need to perform a number of simple steps.

1. Patch the stock "option" USB serial driver to add support for the Dell hardware and build it.
2. Blacklist the kernel module which is attempting to handle the hardware by default.
3. Automatically load the newly built "option" module at boot.
4. Use wvdial to turn on the built in RF circuit (essentially enabling the modem)
5. Use wvdial to start a ppp connection.

If you are unfamiliar with Linux (or can't be bothered to do all this yourself) then I have attached an archive containing the recompiled option kernel module, a blacklist and modules list file and the wvdial scripts. There is also an install script. It is IMPORTANT to only use this archive if you are running stock 8.10 Intrepid Ibex with kernel version 2.6.27-7-generic. You can check this by typing uname -r on a terminal. If you are running a different (later) version of the kernel, you will most likely need to patch the "option" module yourself. The patch is also in the archive.

To use the archive, save it to your home directory, open a terminal and type:

# cd
# tar -zxvf mini9_hsdpa_intrepid_2.6.27-7-generic.tar.gz
# cd mini9_hsdpa_intrepid_2.6.27-7-generic
# chmod +x install.sh
# sudo ./install.sh


To enable the modem, enter:

# sudo wvdial On

and to dial:

# sudo wvdial Connect

If you wish to carry out the steps yourself, the patch can be found in the archive. The module to blacklist is cdc-acm. Check the included wvdial script for the codes to enable the hardware.

Hope this helps.

mini9_hsdpa_interpid_2.6.27-7-generic.tar.gz

Thanks to "craigmain" for this post.
Thanks to Dan Williams for the patch.