Kernels this, kernels that. I read a tutorial on how to get my linksys card to work with my computer, however it says I need a kernel tree.... All the linux OS's I install don't have this... why is that? Do I have to build my own? I've been trying to setup a linux system for over 1 week now non-stop every free minute I get im reading on this stupid kernel thing.

I have tried so far (and wasted CD's) RedHat 9, Fedora Core 3, and Mandrake 10.1. Is there a version of Linux that includes linksys wireless cards, or has the linux kenrel....?
Anyone know? Also I'd like the version of linux that does have it to have GNOME or KDE desktop environment, if not, show me a tutorial on how to install GNOME or KDE if you find me a version of linux that has it's kernel installed.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Usually the kernel sources are not installed by default (since this is a waste of space), unless you need to compile a driver for example. But every distribution to my knowledge has packages that provide the kernel sources, when needed.

The kernel is always installed (since the kernel is your OS). But for the compilation of a driver, the source code of the kernel is needed. Try to find in whatever installation tool your distro uses a package called kernel-source. If there are more than one package available, choose the one that fits best to the output of 'uname -r'

ok maybe I could show you what the installation options are / I pick.

LANGUAGE > English (American)

Is this an install or an upgrade? > Install

Security Level > Standard (lowest option available)

The DrakX Partitioning wizard found the following solutions: > Custom disk partitioning

Package Group Selection: (I SELECTED ALL THESE) (this is all there is to select)

Office Workstation
Game station
Multimedia station
Internet station
Network Computer (client)
Configuration
Console Tools
Development
Documentation
LSB
WEB/FTP
Mail
Database
Firewall/Router
Network Computer server
KDE Workstation
GNOME Workstation
Other Graphical Desktops

NOTE: I just found the option, it says Development (kernel-source)

im gonna try install again, if it works I wont post here, and leave you a thank you. If not, ill reply again.

I don't know how it works on your system, but usually you don't need to install a whole group of software. But if you have enough space available, this might be the easiest option.

Well I finally found out in the end that actually its a hidden option. You have to click SOFTWARE TREE (to open a tree of install softwares) then click KERNEL-SOURCE, but now that I followed the install, it says I need pmcia or something relating to that word. So now I have to reinstall it again. This will be my 9th time doing this.... pray for me..... pmcia is a normal linux install thing right?