> 
> hi, i attempted to start pppd this afternoon and got the same error over
> and over again, even after restarting:
> 
> Apr  4 23:01:30 friction pppd[96]: pppd 2.3.0 started by root, uid 0
> Apr  4 23:02:00 friction pppd[96]: Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/tty00
> Apr  4 23:02:03 friction pppd[96]: Serial line is looped back
> Apr  4 23:02:03 friction pppd[96]: Connection terminated.
> 
> what is this error, and how do i fix it?

We can't tell for sure, but I'd bet your chat script is a bit off.

Serial Line looped back means that the pppd daemon has figured out it's
not hooked up to a pppd on the other side. It has something which is
echoing back characters. Thus it can't establish ppp contact.

Take care,

Bill