Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

[kirk]

I've got a Blackberry 8703e from Verizon (Ok actually my employer, I'm too cheap) and wanted to use it as a modem with Puppy. So I downloaded the XmBlackberrry CVS on 7/20/07 (patched a problem with broadband connections with help from the developer). Xmblackberry does this:

* Allows you to back-up your blackberry (untested by me)
* Increases the USB current from 100ma to 500ma, for charging.
* Sets up access to the blackberry's modem.


So I made a .pet package out of it. It includes a script that will launch Xmblackberry and set some stuff up then launch Pupdial. So you have to have Puppy 2.17 or later. The pet package will overwrite /etc/wvdial.conf and /ect/ppp/wvdial, so if you use another modem you'll probably want to backup these files before installing. The /etc/wvdial.conf is setup for Verizon (I'm in Florida, USA). If your using another carrier you'll have to change it (can do in Pupdial). The package is here:

http://dotpups.de/dotpups/Network/XmBlackBerry_Dialer.pet


Thanks to Rick Scott for XmBlackBerry and to MU for hosting the file!

Edit: Xmblackberry was compiled without opensync.

And here's one for Puppy 4 Dingo (from CVS 1/2008):

No, the one for Dingo is broke I'll repost soon.

[mbutts]

That's pretty cool. I used to have a blackberry years ago b4 they came with phones in them. It's amazing how fast you can type with your thumbs! I continue to be interested in posts for people who have interfaced a cell phone with Puppy. I'm still trying to get my Alltel Kyocera kx12 to work on Puppy. Once I get that done, I can kick Windows off as my internet OS. That's about all I use Windows for anymore.

[edoc]

Any idea if this will work with a BlackBerry Pearl 8130, please?

Any reason I shouldn't just try it?

I have BitPim but it doesn't detect the Pearl.

USBView sees the Pearl fine.

[kirk]

Edoc,

Shouldn't hurt to try, unless you use a modem for something else. It makes some small changes to the wvdial set-up. I just posted a new package for dingo. It was compiled from Xmblackbberry's CVS a couple weeks ago, so it may support more. This won't work for Alpha3 (I think that was the one the the 2.6.24rc kernel). I recompiled everything to try and make it work. Looks like it was a kernel bug. Both packages work in dingo alpha4 & 5, though the older one needs some tweaking.

[edoc]

I just downloaded:
http://dotpups.de/dotpups/Network/XmBlackBerry_Dialer.pet since I am running ChurchPup (Puppy 3.01).

It does not see my Blackberry Pearl 8130.

I tried with the media detection on and off on the Pearl and with the Pearl mounted and unmounted on my laptop.

I did the same with BitPim, same results, neither sees the Pearl.

Guess I will have to wait until someone loans you a Pearl ... perhaps one of your friendly local wireless sales reps will loan you one so they may then market it to Linux folks?

[edoc]

Any news?

[kirk]

Sorry, haven't got around to making a new package. I'll attach the binary from CVS 1/2008 compiled in Dingo. If you have the old package installed, just unzip the attachment and put it in /usr/local/XmBlackBerry. I think it should work. One day I'll get around to repacking it.

[edoc]

I am sad to report that it did not work.

I tried rebooting, tried setting my Pearl for Mass Storage and not, mounted and not, none of those changes helped.

USBView sees my BB and I can access the storage area using ROX-filer after mounting.

My BB Pearl is Revision Number: 1.07 and set for Alltel (if that helps).

[edoc]

Any news re. an updated xmblackberry for Puppy Linux, please?

Sure could use a tethered Pearl 8130 a whole lot here!

[kirk]

Edoc,

I checked XmBlackBerry's CVS, looks like the last change was 1/24/08. If the binary I attached above didn't help, probably wouldn't do any good. Once Dingo goes final I'll get the latest CVS and make a new package. That's if it compiles

[edoc]

Thanks ... will stand by for news.

[edoc]

Anyone checked-out Barry? It reportedly works with the Pearl and development is underway for Storm & Bold:
http://www.happyassassin.net/blackberry-tethering-and-more-on-linux/

I am unaware that it has yet been ported to Puppy as a .PET but sure would love to see that happen!

[kirk]

edoc,

The Xmblackberry developer has a kernel module in his CVS. I've been using it a bit, seems to work pretty well. Some times it won't connect on the first try and I have to unplug the blackberry and try again. I'll attach a pet package if you want to try it.

Make sure you disable any auto-configured interfaces before using it, like if you used the network wizard to setup a wireless card and told the network wizard to save your settings. Then when you boot dhcpcd will run on that interface and even if it fails, IP traffic is routed to that interface. If you didn't tell the network wizard to save for the next boot, then no problem. I did, so I remove my wifi card's kernel module before using the blackberry as a modem:

# rmmod ipw2200 (ipw2200 is the name of my wifi module)

Or you could probably just kill dhcpcd and down the interface:

# killall dhcpcd
# ifconfig eth1 down (eth1 is the name of my interface)

Again, If you didn't use the network wizard to save your dhcpcd setup, you can ignore all of the above.

I don't know which Blackberrys are supported, I have a 8803. This will only work with puppy 4.1 (or 4.1.2) with kernel 2.6.25.16.

[edoc]

Downloaded the .pet and saved your instructions - will try it out later - once the kiddies are in bed and the interruptions cease for the night.

[kirk]

The last package I posted using Xmblackberry's kernel module has a bug, it doesn't connect the first time you try it after booting up. Rick, the author has just fixed it.

I'll post a new package soon.