I am completely new to Linux. Picked up a boxed RH 8.0 distro and successfully completed the install with no problem. I also ordered and installed a Linux compatible internal modem. ( only dial up available in my area) I then got the necessary information from my ISP to iniate a connection and entered it into the "Internet configuration wizard" appropriately. However when I try to register with RHN i get a warning box that says " ! Network Error -3: temporary failure in name resolution." And although I set the hardware settings on the modem to Loud, I do not hear any evidence of the modem even trying to dial or establish a connection. The modem was properly installed and the manufacturer advised me that the modem was compatible and had been tested with RH 8.0. They told me that it should be picked up immediately by the Linux OS and to follow the wizard. (which did not appear) Is there such a thing as "Found New Hardware Wizard" inside RH 8.0, and if not how should I proceed???
I am trying to kick the Microsoft habit and make the switch! Any advice would be extremlly helpfull...
Thanks.

Not solving your problem, but RH8 is no longer supported by Red Hat. As this implies security risks and you want to access the Internet with your Linux box, it's suggetsed to get a more up-to-date distro.
If you want to stick to RH, Fedora 4 is the latest release.

I use RH8 (without any updates), but that computer is not used to access the outside world.

Ok well, thats not really going to be acceptable then. I do need security on this machine... And after reading the "similar posts" it does appear that getting the 8.0 to recognize my modem is going to be a bit of a challenge.Can someone point me towards a different distro thats user friendly for a complete Linux newbie or have any advice on patching RH 8.0/ configuring the modem?

That highly depends on what you want to do with it. Just a desktop system with email, browsing and possibly some office stuff? Or a full featured server with e.g. apache, mysql and php?

Desktop/ workstation with some programing apps...

That question depends on what you like.
Easy setup, security, stable vs cutting edge, your hardware, a heavy or light distribution, etc.
http://linuxiso.org/
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz
http://www.knoppix.net/
http://www.efense.com/helix/

http://www.freebsd.org/
http://www.freesbie.org/
http://www.freebsdsoftware.org/

ah another week has gone by in which time Ive installed Ububtu on someones advice....My SmartLink modem was at least listed in the device manager on that distro, but even after downloading the linux drivers for my modem from the manufacturers web site, and aplying the knowlwdge from scanModem, Im still no closerto getting my modem to work on the new distro than I was on RH 8.0 (which I liked better) does any one have any advice where I could A. download a script/ instructions comprehensive to a total linux newbie (The ones furnished by SmartLink returned results of command not found/needs more agruments/no such directory) or B. know of a modem that will work with either of these distros? I have a finite amount of time to play with this and I am becomming very frustrated. (I also have a copy of slackware 10.1.... that I havent tried, but experiences hitherfore dont make trying that route sound very appealing) can someone help this lost newbie?

uh...that was suppossed to read *Ubuntu*

Please try a live distro (means it runs right of the cd no need to install) if your computer is old it may take sometime to load, but worth it.

knoppix, slax and many others.

Since live distros Engine( the kernel ) is built to recognize everything (hardware) that a kernel is capable of they could help you.

Try to find or read the Distro content and look for the latest kernel
which should be Linux(Kernel)2.6.* and above.

and if your satisfied with the result then you can come back and take advise from members to what distro will be suitable with your hardware and your preferance.

(live distros can be slow, because it runs on physical memory)

also refer http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php/cat/10
Hope this helps.