Connecting to MSN with Linux?

[thestramel]

I know, I know, connecting to a microsoft company with Linux must be sheer madness. But seriously, is this possible and if so what kind of configuration modifications would need to be made?

BTW, I just got my linmodem (IntelHAM with Ambient chipset) up and running by installing a third-party binary driver in SuSE 7.2. When using wvdial the modem initializes, lists connection speed as 48 or 49.33k (varies), lists the server I'm trying to connect to (local MSN), checks username (verifies properly), and then says my password is wrong ("Bad password"). I know it's the correct password. Maybe it's an authentication problem? Any ideas would be much appreciated.

It would be easier to switch ISPs I know but about 1 1/2 ago I purchased a computer at Best Buy and got the $400 MSN rebate contingent upon agreeing to a 3-year contract with MSN (last time I purchase a pre-built computer, nothing but home-built from now on baby). If I cancel then I have to pay back the difference (about $400, ouch).

[thestramel]

Ok I resolved the password problem by using MSN/username for the username. Now it accepts the password and pppd starts. But shortly after this it gives a pID # and my browser doesn't open (well it does, but I can't bring up any websites). About 1min later the modem disconnects and the wvdial console continues to be stalled at the pID # message. Anyone know what this pID message means? BTW, I've tried different authentication protocols including PAP, CHAP, and login console.

[AmbientFiction]

MSN doesn't allow a shell so most likely they killed all hopes of using Linux also. Call them and explane to them that you can't use MS because the system admin at the company you work for won't allow you to use it because of security reasons and tell them that you have to use Linux and see what they say. If they say no then also explane to them the fact that you have the MSN contract and that if they don't do it that you won't pay and that you are thinking of calling the Better Buissness Beaurea(sp) on them.

That should work as long as you are an adult or atleast sound like one.

[thestramel]

I was hoping I wasn't going to have to do that. But I guess I could give it a try. I just thought that maybe I could get around the lame MSN software and use Linux. I've actually been told by a few users on different forums that it's possible to use Linux with MSN. One neglected to tell me how he/she did it. And another mentioned the MSN/username thing which helped but didn't completely solve the problem.

I'm paying for the service so I should be able to use any d*mn OS I want to connect. Rant, rave, rant...

Thanx for the reply.

[AmbientFiction]

I wish I knew more of what to tell you but most likely they have something setup server side that will blobk Linux TCP/ip stacks because they are some different but I don't see how they can keep that type of stack from gaining access because you can ewdit windows reg and make it handle the TCP/IP stacks like Linux/Unix and I uped my bandwidth that way. So I am not quite sure how it is done.

[Thelemac]

Doesn't MSN use their own software...kinda like AOL? That might be the problem right there. I've hear of the same kinds of problems from people with AOL trying to connect with Linux.

[klosters64a]

AFAIK, you're SOL. MSN doesn't "grok" Linux. SBT.

[thestramel]

Yep. I've pretty much given up. Contacted MSN and got the DNS server names but this didn't help. Oh well. Such is life.

[klosters64a]

Those wonderful folks at MS/MSN/MSNBC/MSABCDEFGHIK, etc just don't seem to encourage Linux user's all that much. Makes you want to go "hmmmonopoly."

[parkan]

I think you need a special comm script for MSN. Ask around usenet.