[Ham-Linux] debian/ubuntu install

[dave]

took the advise of a couple of people here and installed the ubuntu distro.
was an amazingly easly install.

but!

it did not install the network stuff.  i guess it sees the nic and 
thinks that it is the
prefered way to connect to the internet.  but it is only for the home 
network.
the problem is i must use dialup and it did not see it.
looked at the program that shows all the installed hareware and the 
modem is shown as a serial port.

so the question is how do i get the dialup modem instaledl as the as the 
net connection?

also i did not see any way to bring up a termimal screen to go to supeuser.
any suggestions on that.  appears stuck in xwindows.

tnx in advance

dave alexander