I want to wipe Windows XP off my computer and install some version of Linux, I was thinking Ubuntu. I mainly use my computer for internet browsing etc. About a year ago lightning struck near the house and apparently fried the ethernet, and I can't afford to fix it, so I need to connect to my cable internet provider through a USB port. I also bought an RCA DCM235 cable modem which works fine, but an Ubuntu manual I checked first said I shouldn't connect through the USB port - too bad, I have to right now - and also said only a couple of cable modems that connect through USB work with Ubuntu, and you have to type in some stuff someplace. What I'd like to do, is find a distro of Linux that's relatively friendly to new users, and also works - preferably auto-detects - this RCA/Thomson DCM235 cable modem that apparently uses DOCSIS 1.0. If I have to buy a new cable modem, what kind should I get? Or is there just another distro that handles usb and cable modems without a problem? Thanks.

Umm, correct me if I'm wrong - but you can get a new PCI ethernet card cheaper than you can get a usb cable modem. I got a cheap one off www.newegg.com for about $10 that serves me quite well - full Linux support.

Yes, I tried getting another PCI card, didn't work so I got one from Dell, didn't work, bought a new ethernet cable, didn't work, it's screwed up in a way I can't fix myself and can't afford to have fixed by somebody who knows what they're doing. I would love to use ethernet but I can't.

This ends the explanation about why I'm not using ethernet.

I got the DCM235 for $5 on Ebay. I bought it to replace the Cebridge cable modem that I was paying $3/month for.

I just need a distro that works for the setup I have now, then when I get things fixed of course it won't be a problem.

Thanks for your post.

Well, the only thing you really can do is start trying distros. Give Knoppix a shot, it usually does well with hardware. If you need to buy another modem, check the hardware compatability lists. Try the "HCL" link at the top of this page and also try googling " linux hardware compatabile cable modem" without the quotes.

Cable modems in linux generally work via an ethernet encapsulation layer, provided by the CDCEther module. I've used a motorola SB4200 DOCSIS 1.1 cable modem plugged in my usb port for quite a while and had little to none problems.
So - every distro would work if your damn modem is supported by CDCEther.c. Ubuntu has CDCEther in their bare kernel.

Patrick said: Give Knoppix a shot, it usually does well with hardware.

I'm checking it out now. Thanks.

For now I'll try live-cd for Ubunto and maybe Knoppix and some others. Maybe I can tell more actually messing with it. Thanks to you both.

No problem, hope you get it worked out. I'd be a bit worried that if your pci slots got fried, there might be damage elsewhere on the motherboard, but it's you're computer - you'ld know better than me.

I'm not an idiot, I just don't have the money. Feel better now?

Oh, no, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean for it to sound like that. I apologize. I only meant to warn you that you may have other unpredictable problems. I meant the "you'ld know better than me" sincerely. You really would - you use the motherboard everyday, and I only know what's been posted on a message board.

I'm very sorry if I offended you, it wasn't my intent.

Hope YOU'RE online by now. IF YOU decide to purchase additional hardware....www.newegg.com has Motherboards that are "open box". The high quality and low prices are very desirable. I have purchased and used them without issues. Both http://www.pcsurplusonline.com and http://www.outletpc.com have 3COM 3c905b PCI Ethernet Cards for around $5.00 each. Watch for shipping prices to suit YOUR needs better. Linux Distro's have the drivers included. No muss, no fuss during installation. Good luck.