Installing Debian Linux
 

I've been having quite a problem trying to install Debian linux on my HP Pavilion a320n as a dual-boot OS with Windows XP Professional. I've set up a Linux partition to install Debian on, I've downloaded the first ISO of Debian Linux 3.0, and I've ran part of the install. The problem is, Debian doesn't detect my ethernet card, and I tried using all of the drivers that comes with the disc but none of them work. I want to install the latest version of the rest of the operating system directly off the internet via FTP, but first I need an internet connection. Has anyone had a similar problem or knows how to solve mine. I have a feeling all I need is the correct driver, but I have no idea where I would get it and which one I need. I appreciate any help you guys can offer.

Well I solved it by making the minimal install, only from the CD and don't configure your internet yet (cancel or skip the step). Get my (wireless) card running and then to the upgrade. That way you can at least continue the install. I think both gnome and kde are on the first disk but they might be such an old version that they don't support all the hardware and I'm not sure they can configure your stuff but it might be worth it if you don't mind running either of those desktop environments.

I can do this, but I don't understand how it will solve any problems. Will KDE or GNOME itself support my hardware? How do I get my ethernet card to work?

Do you have the minimal install running? Then you only need to find the proper drivers for it. I thought maybe KDE and/or gnome could find your card but if you don't want to run these environments in the end it won't help.

I think you either need drivers for it or you need to configure your card properly. Does your system recognise the card?

No, Debian doesn't even know I have the card. I was looking at it under my Windows XP Professional partition and it says its using the nVidia Ethernet Driver. Where can I get that same driver for Linux? Once I get the driver, how do I install it? I am a real noob to Linux and only know installing things under a Linux enviroment is completely different from doing the same under Windows.

The drivers are available from Nvidia's Web site. Be aware, though, that the stable distro of Debian is very old and most of the software is out of date (it's due for an update soon). If you're using stable with the 2.2 kernel, chances are that a lot of stuff isn't going to be detected. You can set it up yourself, but it's a lot more grief. If you're using Debian testing, life should be somewhat better.