This is basically depends on kernel version. Actually, most of the HW related problems due to kernel incompatibility. It is universally known that, kernel is the main thing on Linux OS. If kernel accepts the driver or even most of the Linux has built-in driver for that.
Currently, I am also using Linux, and several times I faced different kinds of HW problem due to lower version of kernel. Specially on vga,nic,audio, printer, modem and even blue tooth dongle…. Often, reinstall the OS helped to overcome these issues or driver installation also helped me in the same way. If this is the problem, u may try to upgrade the kernel version and it may help. Some days ago, I had a DataCard from a provider. I tried it on SuSE Linux 10.2 (2.6.16.60), but it did not work, but when I change the kernel with latest version, it worked and run successfully. Though u did not mention here the kernel version, I am providing a guide on the Same Problem and Troubleshooting which helps to overcome this issue.