ppp question

["TODD WITTER" <witter wpr org>]

Hi Listers! 

Help me if you can! 

I installed Storm Linux 2000 with the Gnome desktop.  Runs a  bit  slow but I'm fine with that.  I've been trying to get  connected to the  internet as a regular user and have had some  (putting it nicely)  issues. 
I've been given some pointers on this and other lists but I still  am  not there. 

I gave the pppd file rx permission for users: 
chmod a+rx /usr/sbin/pppd 

I made /usr/sbin/pppd setuid for root 
chmod +s /usr/sbin/pppd 

and made the port accessible for users 
chmod a+rw /dev/ttyS1 

I also added myself to the dialout group and the dip group. 

I've also edited the /etc/ppp/options file to read "NOAUTH"  on line  37 or thereabouts. 
So now, as a regular user, when I use the "pon" command it  shows  this: 
/usr/sbin/pppd: Can't open /etc/ppp/peers/provider: access  denied 

I ran pppconfig as root and set it up and it works flawlessly as  root.  Where am I going wrong or what else do I need to do to  be able to  use my modem and connect to my ISP, and hence the  internet, as  a regular user.  
Please, someone, hold my hand for me at this  point.  It'll keep  me from pulling out any more hair.  :-) 

Thanks in advance! 

Todd 
witter@wpr.org