Help.
 

Please tell us what distribution you use

???You can find out what operating system it is if you can boot it and open a file manager and go to the directory /etc and look for a file name issue or release. Posting that would be helpful as there are well over 500 different distributions of Linux.

Is it an external modem, outside your computer box? a pci modem inside? If it is an internal modem, it is designed specifically for windows and that will make a difference on what needs to be done. Actually, is it a dialup modem or do you have cable/DSL?

Hey there,

Well, I can suggest an other distro: MacPup. Granted, not at all like the other one (windows) but certainly twice as productive.

Certainly, it looks different, but it is a wizard in detecting stuff...it may even find out your shoe size if you stand too close to the PC ;)

But...let's see what's already there. Can you get into a console? If not, try to get into the menu, somewhere, there's an icon (black frame like) for it. Once there, enter this:

and tell us what's coming back...this is your way of asking Linux's name...

I'll keep this thread firmly on the scope! :D

Thor

I'd try
and post the results.
Alternately, reboot and look for the name as the machine starts up.
Having a quick look at www.distrowatch.com may help you recognize the name, as the distro you have is probably in the top 10 (or 20) there.

Ok, right now, I'm still using Windows XP, but it is continuing to give me the "blue screen of death", the best way for me to answer all your questions will be for me to be using a different computer, and put in my hard drive with my linux os on my laptop so that I will be able to answer and post while going through the steps on my laptop you all have so graciously provided. I will try to do this tomorrow. My husband, will have to find the linux os disk that I used as neither one of us remember which one it was. I can answer the question re: my modem, it is an internal modem. And I only have dial-up service here in my area.

Then your first step will be to get information on your modem which you can do by going to the Linmodems site below and downloading/running the scanmodem tool available:

http://linmodems.org

ok, guys, I just tried my hard drive with my Linux OS and unfortunately that hard drive is bad. I don't know if I've dropped it or what has happened. I did find out however the version of Linux OS I was using, it was Zorin. I am going to try Puppy Linux this evening Live, not installing. I appreciate all the help!!! Do I have to post a new Topic for my Puppy Linux experience, or can I keep posting on this topic? Again, I'm new here...still learning the ropes, and still learning to work on a new OS other than Windows lol. Thanks again for everyone's help. ~Natalie

Keep posting here, we'll follow you all the way.
If I may make a suggestion? Write down what Puppy detected.

Dont worry, Puppy/MacPup are easy to get along with!

Dont worry, you're doing fine!

Here's lookin' at this thread :)

Thor

Re your modem; if its built-in to the main case, it may be what's known as a 'winmodem' ie it is designed to work with MSWindows and expects the OS to run it directly .
It may be possible to work around that, but is easier to just buy an external modem, which will have a std interface and Linux should be able to handle that easily.
Notwithstanding, the link in post #7 is a good one.
As asked, please let us know exactly which modem you have.
Also, with external modems, you can often borrow a 2nd one temporarily to enable eliminating whether a given error is modem or computer based.

We have an external Modem, not sure of the info. regarding it. I will have to wait until my husband comes home from work to get the info. I don't know if I will be able to get anything accomplished this weekend re: my laptop, as we have a very busy weekend. But I am spending as much time as I can working towards a solution to my problem, and I really appreciate everyone's help and advice thus far. As soon as I find out the info. on my external modem, I will post here. Thanks again, hope everyone has a great weekend! :) Natalie