Intro:
So you got an ADSL connection, using a SpeedTouch Home. Although you probably paid for it as an 'always-on' connection, you still have to use that thing similar to dial-up to connect. In Windows, especially in XP, that's probably not too bad, but in the case of Linux it's different. SpeedTouch Home uses a protocol called PPTP, which is sort of a limited version of PPP, which SpeedTouch Home does not allow. To do it, you need a SpeedTouch Pro. And here's the good news: you don't need to change any hardware... just some settings in your modem.

Before going any further, I'd like to suggest that if you don't have good computer literacy, you shouldn't do anything of what is mentioned below. I am NOT responsible for any damages you might make to your computer or modem. I have upgraded many modems, and every attempt was successful, but if you don't understand what you're doing, you might damage your modem's firmware... Also, I'd like to mention that you cannot upgrade a USB modem to a SpeedTouch Pro. If your modem connects to the USB port of the computer, forget it! You need a SpeedTouch that connects to a NIC (Network Card) to get the PRO features. Now, if you're sure of yourself, keep on reading ;)

Step One: Upgrade your modem:
Before we start, I'd like to suggest you to get your ISP's DNS server addresses. This is not compulsory, and most probably, the connection will still work without it, but If you do it, it's better, or you might experience problems with resolving domain names when everything is set up and running. Your ISP would probably be able to provide them to you, but if you prefer not to contact your ISP, here's a quick way to do it. Connect to the Internet using the normal configuration (before you upgrade the modem, obviously). Then, if you're using Windows, open MS-DOS (go on Start>Run and type "COMMAND"), then in the command line window, type ipconfig /all . That would display a list of addresses, and among them, you can find the DNS servers, probably two of them. To do this in Linux, you have to open the file /etc/resolv.conf ... the DNS information is in that file. Copy the DNS servers' IP addresses on something and keep them. You will need them later.

First of all, we need to upgrade to Pro. Open your browser, and type the address http://10.0.0.138 (that's the address of your modem). A 'site' is displayed. Click on the button that says Initial Setup (it's on the left). Now, it says something like Initial setup for 00-90-D0-16-34-40. That number is different for every modem, so you'll have to see what yours is. With that number, you can get the Expert password which you'll be needing in a few minutes. So, let's get the password. Visit the site http://security.sdsc.edu/self-help/alcatel/challenge.cgi and you'll get it from there. Just say YES in all the boxes, and scroll down. In the bottom, it says "Enter Challenge String". In that box you should enter 'SpeedTouch (and the number)'. Example: 'SpeedTouch (00-90-D0-16-34-40)' . The ' at the beginning and the end aren't there just for fun, you have to write them too. Then click on "Submit". You will be given a number with about 10 digits. THAT is the Expert password. Write it down somewhere cos you'll be needing that soon.

Now, for the real thing. Use telnet on 10.0.0.138 and enter whatever username you want. Then telnet will display a sort of picture (ASCII Art). Now do the following in your telnet:

=>td
[td]=>prompt

Now it will ask you for the expert password. In some modems, this does not work. If this is your case, try typing "EXPERT" or "user" instead of "td" after logging in. If none of those commands did work for you, that's because you have a different firmware. If you want to upgrade your modem, you'll have to change the firmware. This is quite risky, but if you wanna try, here's how: With the browser go on http://10.0.0.138 and go on the 'Upgrade' menu. Check if the software version begins with G or K. If it begins with G, download this firmware. If it begins with K, download this one. I have only tried the G one, and it worked OK.. but still.. I am never responsible for what you do.. after all, it's your modem. Anyway, now go back on 10.0.0.138 and the 'Upgrade' menu, and click on 'Remove passive'. Then click browse to browse for the firmware you have downloaded. Now click on 'Upload' (top-left). Now wait for a minute or so while the file is transfered to the modem's chip. After the upload finishes, MAKE SURE that there is no error displayed on the screen, and then click on 'Switch over'. Now, if everything went OK (hopefully), you can continue reading...

Then type in that number you have got from that site. Now you're in expert mode. Do the following in your telnet:

>rip
rip>drv_read 2 1 b

Now it will display something like "the data in hex is : 8604". That number might be different in your case. You will need to change the last digit to 6. Here's how:

rip> drv_write 2 1 b 8606

Note again that in your case the number might not be the 8606. Whatever it is, just change the last digit to 6.

Before reading any further, i suggest you print this document, because you will now be disconnected from the Internet. Anyway... now all you need to do is reboot your modem. Here's how to do it from telnet:

rip>exit
>system
system>reboot

Congratulations! Now you've got a SpeedTouch Pro Modem!

Step Two: Configure your modem for PPP:
Now that you've got a Pro modem, you should use the features you've been missing. First of all, we need to get rid of PPTP. Open your browser and type the address http://10.0.0.138 (before you do this, make sure you're disconnected from the internet). Go on the PPTP menu, and delete ALL entries. Then click on Apply (at the top) and then Save all (from the menu on the left). Now go on the Phonebook and delete all entries, and again, click Apply and then Save all.

Go back to the Phonebook and add a new entry. Call it MXS (any name will do, but let's just keep it simple) , the VPI should be 8, and the VCI 48. (The VPI and VCI settings in some countries need to be set different than that, so if after you've done all this, the modem doesn't connect, ask your ISP how the VPI/VCI settings should be set.) Select ppp as type. Then click on Save all. Now go on the PPP menu. Select MXS from the drop-down menu on the left and vc-mux on the menu next to it. Then press Add. (If when I told you to keep things simple, you decided to use another name instead of MXS, now choose that name from the drop-down menu instead of MXS) When the connection has been added, click on Config. Your settings should be like this:

Authentication:
User: Your ISP username (user@ISP in the case of Malta)
Password: The password you use to log on the net

Routing:
Make sure that Address translation (NAT-PAT) is enabled.
For Primary and Secondary DNS, enter those IP numbers that you were supposed to get in Step 1. Else leave them as they are... it will still work, but expect more "Cannot find server" errors...

Options:
Leave Local IP and Remote IP on none
Mode: always-on
Idle time limit: leave blank
LCP Echo: Enabled
PAP: Disabled
ACCOMP: Enabled

Now just click on Apply on the top-left and then Save all from the left menu.

One last important thing is go to the System setup menu, and Set a password. This is very important for security reasons.

Step Three: Configure your PC:
Now you're always ready to use the internet without having to dial-in. The modem will take care of the connection with the ISP... no longer VPN's and dial-ups (and slow connections)... The last thing you have to do now is to configure your network card.

From the TCP options of your NIC card, make the following settings:

IP Address: 10.0.0.x where x should be anything between 1 and 254, except 138
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway / Gateway whatever: 10.0.0.138
In the case of windows, you also have to set the DNS to 10.0.0.138, or you may just use the same DNS Server addresses that you (hopefully) used on your modem.

That's it! Now you have got an always-on connection, with no logins to worry about. Have fun!
If you find any problems, or just want to discuss anything about this subject, you may use our forum.

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