I have an old dell inspiron 700 that I want to turn into a home file server. I have installed ubuntu 7.10 and after a huge amount of google work got all my hardware in line. Then I realised that I should have installed 10.10 So I downloaded and burnt the new ISO and tried to install it. The install does not recognize my Xircom RealPort Ethernet card but that is okay, 7.10 didn't either and I got it working post install. But 10.10 can't detect the pci hard drive. I have tried various things but since I am not that familiar with linux I am just stabbing in the dark.

What bios settings should I be aiming for?
What boot options should I set and how?
Why are the russians being such kill joys over the discovery of fossilized meteorites?

Advise please