howdy,

I've just setup Mandrake 10 on my spare box, but unfortunately I cannot connect to the internet. The OS recognizes the ethernet card, and it work fine. Do I need to specify the default gateway? DNS server? DHCP server? if so, where should I do this? I've tried looking in the graphical interface but cannot find manual set up anywhere, except for proxies.

thanks

edit:: for completeness, I'm connected to a cable modem via cat5 cable

edit2:: when loading I get the message that "bringing up the interface for eth0 has failed"

How does your cable modem serve a connection? Through DHCP (Dynamic IP) or does it want you to set a static IP (Given to you by your ISP probably) ?
I found some great step by step instructions on how to manually configure your network card for both static and dynamic IP:

Linux Headquarters - Network Configuration Using the Command Line

Manual network setup Mini-Howto

And don't be scared to use the command line!
for a quick and simple way to edit config files I always use Vi, but you might have a different preference. Use what suits you

Ok try this

Go-to Sart Menu
go-to "System", go-to "configuration",
go-to "configure your computer"
if you're not as root you'll be asked for password
Mandrake Control Centre will start
Click-on "network and Internet"
take your pick from the options provided
you will need to configure your network card then your internet connection
good luck

live long and prosper
floppy

this is just an idea. go to Mandrake Control Center-->Hardware. Then choose your network card and click on config module on the right hand side panel. It will prompt which eth(x) to configure. Simply put in the ip address..dns server, gateway and the gateway's device. Hope this helps..Cheerz!

-m4-

thanks guys, I'll give these options a try once I get home.

>>How does your cable modem serve a connection?<<

DHCP

>>And don't be scared to use the command line! <<

not very scared yet I've worked with unix for quite sometime, but I'm pretty new to Linux as a main OS.

Xolo, thanks for the websites; I've run the command line set up and I still get a failure when setting up the interface for eth0. When I try to configure my ethernet card with the "run config tool" nothing happens - ie, when I click on it there is no response.

When I try to either: make a new connection: erase an existing connection, or manage connections from the connections and internet menu, nothing happens as well.

Any more advice?,

cheers

What network card type are you using, is it integrated (on the mainboard) or is it a card, which brand, what chipset?
There might just be something odd going on with how the card was detected..