flexfax: FaxGetty can't setup modem -- any advise?

[Tim Fredrick <fredrick@acd.ucar.edu>]

Forgive me if this is an FAQ -- I just joined the mailing list :-)

We have a PC running Redhat Linux 5.1, kernel 2.1.122, and the rpm for Hylafax
hylafax-4.0-7.  We also have a US Robotics Sportster 33600 Fax v4.3.185 modem.

I am trying to get started with Hylafax, but the FaxGetty process doesn't seem
to be able to handle our modem.  Specifically I get:

Sep 30 07:46:00 net FaxGetty[1140]: OPEN /dev/modem
Sep 30 07:46:06 net FaxGetty[1140]: /dev/modem: Can not initialize modem.
Sep 30 07:47:21 net FaxGetty[1140]: Unable to setup modem on /dev/modem; giving up after 2 attempts
Sep 30 07:47:21 net FaxGetty[1140]: MODEM /dev/modem appears to be wedged
Sep 30 07:47:21 net FaxGetty[1140]: CLOSE /dev/modem

What is the most common source of this problem?  Where can I go to find out
more specifically why the FaxGetty process is returning these messages?

Thanks in advance!  --Tim Fredrick (fredrick@acd.ucar.edu)
                      NCAR?ACD Computer Systems Administration