IP question....
 

is there a way to change my ip in linux??? because i have set up my WinXP pro system as a router (because of network i cant connect the linux directly to the router) and my win sys gave it an ip but my linux is fighting with my win sys over the ip.... i am using a progam to rout the ip so that other computers on my network can see the linux box.... (i plan to eventualy use linux box as file server) but linux is not in any way like win in the way that win will adapt and change IP's quick easy and painless.... linux on the other hand hates me..... lol..... i realy have deep respect for you linux "masters" that keep answering my questions.... and i cant stop thanking you people out there!!!!

Windows uses dhcp, so the easiest way would be to set your linux box up for dhcp as well. It's easy, normally a single command that sets things up automatically, but without knowing what distribution you're using, I can't give you the exact command. Chances are, if your box was hooked up to the network when you started, your network was already configured...which may mean undoing some of your changes.

As for routing the IP so other boxes can see yours, that's probably not the issue. What you need to do is set up Samba (Linux's way of talking to windows boxes...because MS is scared to death of making their OS compatible with Linux). At first, just to get it going, set it up as a client, then, when you know more about how Linux/Samba works, configure the server.

Most "mainstream" distros (Redhat, Mandrake, SuSE) have easy to use configuration menus for doing this. Personally, I think it's easier to set up networking/sharing with a Linux box to a windows server (or vice versa), than it is to connect a windows box to a windows server. If nothing else, all the options are in one or two windows/menus, not spread all over like in windows.

It's awkwards moving to Linux, and a lot of things seem like they should be harder than they really are. Many of us have moments when we look back and kick ourselves because we thought something was "so hard", and now realize that we were just looking at the problem wrong. If it helps, once you've gotten so used to Linux, you shake your head at how pointlessly hard MS makes it to use windows. So, be prepared for a little "unlearning" of bad habits. :)

Oh, an extra thought. If your Linux box is fighting with windows, it might be that your samba server is already set up as a server, and it competes equally with any windows server in it's default configuration. It's pretty easy to fix, just make sure it's not something simpler before you change options you're not sure about. If it is the problem, just set samba to a higher or lower priority.

Anyway, good luck with Linux. Oh, and most of us actually enjoy the questions. We remember what it's like, believe me. :D

I cant help to think the damage about to be done to my mind with this "unlearing" LOL .... all my life with Windows lol... any way i just had to ask.... if i acess my control center can i find out what mandrake i am using??? because the dhcp would be so much easyer then trying to figure out how to undo what is already done...... i am soooooo glad there are people like you here to help!!! trying to learn/figure out things from web pages and digrams was just giving me a mental breakdown .. lol ... .. i hope this comes out right but, ill try to make a diagram of what i am talking about...

<router/network>----<WinXP(my computer)>----<linux test computer> there .... that about explains it.... its a test computer .... it was a Win 95 133MHz system... now a linux 133 system .... yes its slow... but if i mess it up bad no wories.... throw it away for all its worth .LOL. ok now i just rambling... lol .... thanks again.... hope to talk to you soon ....

In Mandrake Control Center click on Network & Internet. You should see your NIC listed in the interfaces box., and maybe a modem. Click on the NIC and select the wizard button. It will walk you through the configuration and allow you to select dhcp for the IP. After configuring the NIC select the button to configure the Internet connection. All you need to do here is to enter the Windows computer IP into the gateway. You should be able to restart the network now.

To find out which Mandrake you are using open an Xterm and type this:
cat /etc/issue

thanks bash.... but now i have an even worse proble....i was editing the xf86cfg file.... and now my monitor is all out of wack... the resloution is like 400X300 .... but the output of the video is 1024X768 .... and i cant get it to configure right...... ive been up alllllllllll night trying to figure it out..... now i am about to shoot he damn thing..... thow it out a window at the 300th floor.... and then!!!! sit back and laugh..... but right now i am about to fall asleep.......
i can barly type this message..... thanks any way i will try that once i do .... "IF" i do figure out this problem....goodnight!!!!!