Linux Mint/Ubuntu is taking modem off-hook during logon

[cdgoldin]

As of 15 February 2018 (and possibly earlier) the following bug has been reintroduced:

When Linux Mint (Cinnamon OR Mate) OR UBUNTU starts up (_after_ the login screen), the Smartlink internal modem is taken off hook, and remains off hook (disabling the telephone line) until such time as the system is shut down or rebooted (in which case it goes off hook again after login).

This annoying bug was introduced with Linux Mint 17.0 Trusty, and also occurs with Ubuntu 14.04. It disappeared with Linux Mint 18.0 Xenial (which is based on Ubuntu 16.04). Now it is back, possibly as a result of the latest updates, possibly earlier.

Yes, since Linux no longer supports the Smartlink modem, even with the modifications to the kernel that previously worked, I could simply disconnect the internal modem. But I dual-boot to Windoze, and DO use it without problem in Windoze, so it is more than an annoyance.

I can understand Linux not supporting hardware, but it is unacceptable that Linux is sending commands to unsupported hardware whihc cause it to malfunction.

As a Linux USER, I have no way of isolating the component causing the bug. It will require a trace of what is written to the COM port(s) during login. But, since it was fixed before, there should be some record of the cause and solution.

[Ubuntu Foundations Team Bug Bot (crichton)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that your bug report is not filed about a specific source package though, rather it is just filed against Ubuntu in general. It is important that bug reports be filed about source packages so that people interested in the package can find the bugs about it. You can find some hints about determining what package your bug might be about at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage. You might also ask for help in the #ubuntu-bugs irc channel on Freenode.

To change the source package that this bug is filed about visit https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1750232/+editstatus and add the package name in the text box next to the word Package.

[This is an automated message. I apologize if it reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[cdgoldin (cdgoldin)]

Thank you for your unhelpful reply. The nature of this problem precludes
identifying the source package, as it is apparently something in the Linux
kernel occuring before logon.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ubuntu Foundations Team Bug Bot" <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2018 05:25
Subject: [Bug 1750232] Re: Linux Mint/Ubuntu is taking modem off-hook during
logon

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make
Ubuntu better. It seems that your bug report is not filed about a
specific source package though, rather it is just filed against Ubuntu
in general. It is important that bug reports be filed about source
packages so that people interested in the package can find the bugs
about it. You can find some hints about determining what package your
bug might be about at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage.
You might also ask for help in the #ubuntu-bugs irc channel on Freenode.

To change the source package that this bug is filed about visit
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1750232/+editstatus and add the
package name in the text box next to the word Package.

[This is an automated message. I apologize if it reached you
inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

** Tags added: bot-comment

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1750232

Title:
  Linux Mint/Ubuntu is taking modem off-hook during logon

Status in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  As of 15 February 2018 (and possibly earlier) the following bug has
  been reintroduced:

  When Linux Mint (Cinnamon OR Mate) OR UBUNTU starts up (_after_ the
  login screen), the Smartlink internal modem is taken off hook, and
  remains off hook (disabling the telephone line) until such time as the
  system is shut down or rebooted (in which case it goes off hook again
  after login).

  This annoying bug was introduced with Linux Mint 17.0 Trusty, and also
  occurs with Ubuntu 14.04. It disappeared with Linux Mint 18.0 Xenial
  (which is based on Ubuntu 16.04). Now it is back, possibly as a result
  of the latest updates, possibly earlier.

  Yes, since Linux no longer supports the Smartlink modem, even with the
  modifications to the kernel that previously worked, I could simply
  disconnect the internal modem. But I dual-boot to Windoze, and DO use
  it without problem in Windoze, so it is more than an annoyance.

  I can understand Linux not supporting hardware, but it is unacceptable
  that Linux is sending commands to unsupported hardware whihc cause it
  to malfunction.

  As a Linux USER, I have no way of isolating the component causing the
  bug. It will require a trace of what is written to the COM port(s)
  during login. But, since it was fixed before, there should be some
  record of the cause and solution.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1750232/+subscriptions

[cdgoldin (cdgoldin)]

I'm only guessing that this is the "kernel package", since it occurs during logon (as soon as the userid and password are entered) and continues until shutdown. It is unreasonable to expect Linux users to debug someone else's programming. We report the problem. The developers should debug and resolve it.

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or third-party kernel) please enter the following command in a terminal window:

apport-collect 1750232

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[cdgoldin (cdgoldin)]

I have no idea what "While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or
third-party kernel)" means

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ubuntu Kernel Bot" <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 13:00
Subject: [Bug 1750232] Missing required logs.

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem.
While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or third-party kernel)
please enter the following command in a terminal window:

apport-collect 1750232

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable
to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change
the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the
Ubuntu Kernel Team.

** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => Incomplete

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1750232

Title:
  Linux Mint/Ubuntu is taking modem off-hook during logon

Status in linux package in Ubuntu:
  Incomplete

Bug description:
  As of 15 February 2018 (and possibly earlier) the following bug has
  been reintroduced:

  When Linux Mint (Cinnamon OR Mate) OR UBUNTU starts up (_after_ the
  login screen), the Smartlink internal modem is taken off hook, and
  remains off hook (disabling the telephone line) until such time as the
  system is shut down or rebooted (in which case it goes off hook again
  after login).

  This annoying bug was introduced with Linux Mint 17.0 Trusty, and also
  occurs with Ubuntu 14.04. It disappeared with Linux Mint 18.0 Xenial
  (which is based on Ubuntu 16.04). Now it is back, possibly as a result
  of the latest updates, possibly earlier.

  Yes, since Linux no longer supports the Smartlink modem, even with the
  modifications to the kernel that previously worked, I could simply
  disconnect the internal modem. But I dual-boot to Windoze, and DO use
  it without problem in Windoze, so it is more than an annoyance.

  I can understand Linux not supporting hardware, but it is unacceptable
  that Linux is sending commands to unsupported hardware whihc cause it
  to malfunction.

  As a Linux USER, I have no way of isolating the component causing the
  bug. It will require a trace of what is written to the COM port(s)
  during login. But, since it was fixed before, there should be some
  record of the cause and solution.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1750232/+subscriptions

[cdgoldin (cdgoldin)]

I also have no idea what the following email, received in response to my message, means:

---begin
----- Original Message -----
From: <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 14:36
Subject: Submit Request Failure

An error occurred while processing a mail you sent to Launchpad's email
interface.

Failing command:
    status new => incomplete

Error message:

The 'status' argument expects 1 argument(s). It got 3.

--end

With such an overly-complicated and counter-productive "bug reporting" system, it's no wonder nothing gets fixed for years, if ever.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Did this issue start happening after an update/upgrade? Was there a prior kernel version where you were not having this particular problem?

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.16 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.16-rc2

[cdgoldin (cdgoldin)]

As stated earlier, this "issue" began with the upgrade to Ubuntu 14.04, and
remained until 16.04. Now it has recurred, as a result of an update/upgrade, but
I don't know which one, as I only noticed it on 15th February 2018. I did try
booting from Linux kernels 4.4.0-101.124, 4.4.0-103.126, 4.4.0-104.127,
4.4.0-108.11, 4.40-109.132, as well as 4.4.0-112.135, but the problem didn't
disappear.
I am unable to test the 4.16 kernel[0]. I don't understand the complex
"instructions", and I doubt that v4.16 will work on my system, since it has not
been offered as an update.

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Salisbury" <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2018 11:53
Subject: [Bug 1750232] Re: Linux Mint/Ubuntu is taking modem off-hook during
logon

Did this issue start happening after an update/upgrade? Was there a
prior kernel version where you were not having this particular problem?

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer
to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest
v4.16 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following
tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag:
'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as
"Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.16-rc2

** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
   Importance: Undecided => Medium

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1750232

Title:
  Linux Mint/Ubuntu is taking modem off-hook during logon

Status in linux package in Ubuntu:
  Incomplete

Bug description:
  As of 15 February 2018 (and possibly earlier) the following bug has
  been reintroduced:

  When Linux Mint (Cinnamon OR Mate) OR UBUNTU starts up (_after_ the
  login screen), the Smartlink internal modem is taken off hook, and
  remains off hook (disabling the telephone line) until such time as the
  system is shut down or rebooted (in which case it goes off hook again
  after login).

  This annoying bug was introduced with Linux Mint 17.0 Trusty, and also
  occurs with Ubuntu 14.04. It disappeared with Linux Mint 18.0 Xenial
  (which is based on Ubuntu 16.04). Now it is back, possibly as a result
  of the latest updates, possibly earlier.

  Yes, since Linux no longer supports the Smartlink modem, even with the
  modifications to the kernel that previously worked, I could simply
  disconnect the internal modem. But I dual-boot to Windoze, and DO use
  it without problem in Windoze, so it is more than an annoyance.

  I can understand Linux not supporting hardware, but it is unacceptable
  that Linux is sending commands to unsupported hardware whihc cause it
  to malfunction.

  As a Linux USER, I have no way of isolating the component causing the
  bug. It will require a trace of what is written to the COM port(s)
  during login. But, since it was fixed before, there should be some
  record of the cause and solution.

To manage notifications about this bug g...

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]