Okay,

I have a Dell XPS M1210, that I've decided to install Linux on in order to force myself to learn Linux.

I did some research and was under the impression that all hardware functioned normally under Ubuntu (I don't think bluetooth works but I don't care about that).

So I've been trying for two days now and I can't get the ethernet card to grab an IP via DHCP. I can't see any driver issues just a rather ominous 169 IP in ifconfig, which tells me its broke.

I'm kind of at my wits end here and hoping someone can either help me fix my current install or direct me to an distro that works with my laptop.

Welcome to LQ.

Try running ifconfig as root and posting the output here.

The output of lsmod and lspic might also be helpful in determining if the device is properly detected and what driver is being used.

You'll have to provide more information before anyone can help much. Just saying you've been working for two days doesn't really tell anyone anything.

Wired or wireless? Network card manufacturer and model? What type of errors, if any?

Changing distros is probably not necessary. If it can work in one distro, it can almost always be made to work in any distro.

Okay, so after messing with it for two days, the ethernet connection is now functioning, no idea as to why, tho...

So using Gnome or the shell how do I make my ethernet nic pick up an IP once I connect a network cable?

If you are using DHCP with Ubuntu, it's probably dhclient eth0 (or whatever interface name is) as root from a shell.

My question to you is are you using a Ethernet or Wireless Adapter and If using the later of the two do you know the Chipset manufacturer?