Re. Total Confusion

[Sidney Brooks]

For those of you who tried to help with my problem, several weeks ago, here 
is a statement of the problem and solution.
I have Windows98, Redhat linux, and Debian linux on my hard disk. Until 
last summer, I could get online with all three. During the summer something 
happened and only Windows could get me online although both versions of 
linux connected. I was assured by a technician at U.S. Robotics that it 
could not be modem if it worked with Windows.
After following all suggestions offered here and consulting with a computer 
technician, the conclusion was that it had to be the modem. I bought a new 
Diamond modem and both versions of linux now get me online. Our guess is 
that I had a line surge that knocked out a part of the modem that linux 
requires, but that Windows can do without.
I still have two minor problems that I may be able to work out myself. In 
order to get on line with Debian, I must use ppp. Minicom and wvdial 
connect but fail to authenticate. The other problem is something new with 
lilo, which I installed using Redhat. It now demands a password for Debian, 
but not for Redhat.