Hello, people. I was using Ubuntu for a while, but I guess I felt it left something to be desired.

There are many things I like about Linux - of course, it being open-source and free are great - although if I had to pick a favorite thing about Linux, I'd probably say its stability. I've had Sabayon for a few days, but it has too many bugs for me. I heard Debian was quite reliable, so I decided to give it a go, but during installation I can't even get my network card to work. I have an Intel Pro/100 VE with Pro 3945ABG wireless, and I'm on a Compaq Presario v3000t. I tried the Intel Pro/100, as well as another one (Perhaps Pro/1000?), but neither of them worked. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Another random question - I read etch is better to use than sarge, but is etch (being "unstable") as reliable as sarge is?

First of all welcome to Debian. As one of th etaglines reads, search engines are God's gift to linux users.
What dist are you using, Sarge, Etch or Sid?
There's a good guide on this site on how to install wireless that involves the ndiswrapper. This is what you'll have to do if you installed Sarge.
Etch - that depends on weither or not there is a firmware package for your wireless card. To my knowledge the only one is for Broadcomm chip set.
Sid, sorry I have no idea.
Once you let us know what dist. you've installed we can give better advice.

As far as Etch vs Sarge, I use nothing but Etch. This is for my laptop and several small servers for my business. I recommend Etch as it is nearly stable. Sarge is great but it's for servers that will NEVER be changed.

Key word: nearly. I'm assuming it's more stable than Ubuntu though? Not that Ubuntu's bad, but I saw a lot of posts regarding how stable Debian is.

As far as my installation - sorry I wasn't clear; I was trying to install Sarge, and I stopped the installation when I couldn't get the network to work because I figured the installation would be almost useless without Internet access.

I've been running Etch for almost a year with only one small problem with X after an update.

Just in case you haven't gotten the message yet, Etch is what you want to install.

Ha. Thanks, rick. I still have no idea what I'm doing with the network install though! Is it different on Etch than it is on Sarge?

Different only in the sense that it has a year and a half's worth of improvements. Make sure you're getting the current version.

Holy crap - the full install of Etch RC2 requires 3 DVDs?

And would it be a good idea to get the net inst? That's what I figured I should get.

yes, if you don't want to download 3 dvds only to use the first half of one...

Ohhhh, I didn't realize Etch was that much newer than Sarge. I got my laptop in July of '06, and it only came out a few months before that. I'm guessing my network card is newer than Sarge is, and so my card isn't supported by the installer. It's all good now though - I'm on Etch right now!

My wireless card worked fine on Ubuntu and Sabayon, but I can't seem to get it to work on Debian Etch. Should it work on Etch if it works on the other two distros, or do I need additional software? I mean, it recognizes the card, but I can't seem to get an Internet connection with it.