How do I get a 3G USB modem to work?

Since at least Jaunty, I've tried to get my wife's 3G USB modem to work on Ubuntu, always with the same result - instant, complete system freeze.

I've tried installing`wvdial and usb-modeswitch, I've read tons of documentation but it gets quite disjointed from one release to the next, nothing works. I can't run lsusb because the system hangs immediately.

I'm using Lucid and it's a Rogers "Rocket Stick" (in Canada)

From ubuntu stone1343

• The real answer is to start with a supported device. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetworkManager for a list of working devices.

  From Stuart

• The first stop should be, to figure out which chipset the stick is using and which driver is loaded (that causes the freeze). You could try running "sudo dmesg | tail -f" in a terminal while plugging in the stick. That might also help identifying the problem.

  stone1343 : Except I can't run anything because the system freezes right away.
  From mniess

• Try this “automagic” script: sakis3g. No need to install anything, just run the script; it will guide you through menus.

  After you make it work, you can create a small script calling the sakis3g-script having set up some environment variables for your convenience. Here follows mine:

  export BAUD=MAX MODEM=1bbb:0000 APN=3g-internet SIM_PIN=1234
  (sakis3g-script helper&)&
  

  The $MODEM is the vendor-id:product-id code so I don't have to select it everytime I start the sakis3g-script; $APN is your provider's suggested login name; the SIM_PIN is rather obvious.

  See also that question in SuperUser.

  From ΤΖΩΤΖΙΟΥ