Edimax ADSL2+ modem not working in Ubuntu

Q I installed Ubuntu some months ago on a new Compaq Presario that already had Vista installed. However, I couldn't access the internet. It was suggested a router would be the answer. I tried an Edimax ADSL2+ in wired mode but still got no response. I learned how to check the status of my internet connection at the command line by entering:

/sbin/ifconfig -a

I returned the following:

eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1A:92:
B5:69:A1
inet6 addr: fe80::21a:92ff:feb5:69a1/64
Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING
MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:38 errors:0 dropped:0
overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:340 errors:0 dropped:0
overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:4014 (3.9 KB) TX bytes:37621
(36.7 KB)
Interrupt:19 Base address:0x2000

Please advise me as to what I can do next.

A The advice to switch from a USB modem to a proper Ethernet modem was good: they work more efficiently, plus almost all of them include a router, so you can connect more than one computer to the internet. The output from ifconfig only covers your connection to the router, which acts as a bridge between your local network and the internet. The connection between the modem and the internet is separate. Unfortunately, it shows that you're not connected to the router - there is no inet addr: field showing your IP address. Make sure you're using DHCP to configure your network by going to System > Administration > Network, selecting your Ethernet interface and choosing Properties. Set Automatic Configuration (DHCP) in here, which should handle everything and enable you to connect to the router's admin page by typing http://192.168.2.1 in your browser. You'll be asked for the login and password, which will be admin and 1234 if you haven't changed them.

If you can load the router's admin page, your network is correctly configured. Now you need to set up the internet side of the router. Click the Quick Start link to run the setup wizard in your browser and input the details given by your ISP. If you're unsure about any of these settings, you may need to contact your ISP for clarification. If the wizard fails for any reason, you have two choices. One is to use a Windows computer to run the wizard (once the router is set up, it will work with any OS); the other is to use the Internet section of the Interface Setup tab. Once you've successfully configured the computer, you can confidently connect other computers - up to four at a time - and have them use your internet connection. As long as they're set to use DHCP, which most distros do by default, no further setting up is required.

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