Hi there,
I've recently had Linux Mint 16 (Petra, edition MATE 32-bit) installed on my Dell Inspiron Mini 10/1012 (HD 160GB, Intel Atom, 1.66GHz, 1GB memory) notebook, but the snag is that I don't know how to connect to my local network. The partitioning (its OS is/was originally Windows XP) was carried out by a friendly Spaniard whose help I enlisted when using the notebook abroad on holiday. The LM16 seems to work fine, as I can access documents etc OK - but for the lack of internet connection...

I also use a Medion Akoya P7220 / MS 7616 as my main machine running on W7 - for the moment as I want to switch away from MS altogether, but, first things first. As for my network, I use a Huawei HG533 router (with 3 vacant slots) & have a fibre connection via BT Openreach. Can I simply use a standard RJ-45 cable between the notebook & the router, or is this a complete no-no? I would prefer the notebook not to have to be connected only this way, as it would restrict its mobility somewhat.

If the answer to the above is 'no', I've established that my notebook uses a Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card Rev. 5.00 network adapter IEEE 802.11 ('n', I think!) Chipset is BCM4315/BCM 22062000, Software (& Supplicant) version is 5:10:38:30 and Driver version is 5.10.79:14. Having searched here & scoured around the net this evening/night, my best guess is that I'll have to download a b43 for the 802.11b/g/n family on a flash drive in my main PC and somehow load it into my notebook (which has no CD/DVD drive). If this is the case, I strongly suspect that I'll also need some advice on what to do with it within LM16!! Any help and/or advice on the best way forward would be greatly appreciated, so thanks in advance.

Hmmm. Have you tried just plugging in the notebook to the router (using RJ-45)? What happens when you do? I believe Mint has built in drivers for LAN devices. Also, you might specifically need a 'crossover' cable, in case Mint and/or your router do/does not support 'autosense'.

For your wireless device, you might need to download some drivers later, but, again, you need to connect first using your LAN.

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Many thanks for your quick reply, ilesterg - very useful indeed!

I was brave, took the plunge as you suggested and plugged in my notebook to the router. The Ethernet connection works fine, & I was able to connect via Firefox and download the Linux Mint User Guide as a first step towards getting to know my way around. I don't even have a Linux username on the machine yet, nor authentication privileges and haven't a clue how to give commands etc.

At present, when I start up my notebook, I get presented with options to go into Linux or Windows (plus 3 others for Recovery etc.)

Q1 Is this what I understand to be a 'dual-boot' system? Or is it a partition? With MS support for XP ending next Tuesday 8th April, I'm a more than bit nervous about continuing to have this OS on my notebook for obvious security reasons.

Q2 To the best of my (limited) knowledge, would I be right in saying that if I somehow wipe out the XP on the machine (I'm not sure how!), I might not be left with the (desired) Linux? Or would I need to wipe the whole hard drive, and try to re-install Linux Mint 16? - a process I'm very cagey about as it has no CD/DVD disk drive available. Which leads to...

Q3 Is it possible to download LM 16 onto a flash drive on my main PC and install it on my notebook?

Any help with these Qs would be appreciated, so thanks in advance.

I'll let others answer 1 and 2.

For #3, yes it is very easy to run most systems from faster usb flash drives. You do have to be careful when installing to a usb flash drive. I recommend that you remove any power to internal drives before you attempt it to make sure you get the loader on the usb flash. I actually use a virtual machine to use for installs.

To most modern linux, a usb flash is just like any other internal hard drive. Generally modern systems see the usb as a hard drive boot order choice, not a usb choice.

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Thanks a lot for your reply and the tip regarding faster USBs, jefro - but just how do you 'remove any power to internal drives' or 'use a virtual machine'? - pardon my ignorance, please!