I bought a Linux magazine that had a copy of 'Mandriva Linux Free 2007' with it, and installed the OS on a spare hard drive I have. Everything with that has worked out fine.

I tried to connect it to my internet by installing the driver for the wireless USB thing.

All I could do was open a folder to view the files, but when I found out which icon to open (start.exe) it asked what program I should open it with.

Now, I'm only a beginner at Linux, so this may seem really obvious, but I haven't a clue what to do next. Am I going about this the wrong way? Someone mentioned something called KGet which I found but don't understand.

In short: How do I install new software onto my Linux machine?

lol. You have no idea how much help you need. That's no reason to give up, tho. Start by telling us the make and model of your "wireless USB thing." From a "terminal prompt," the command "lspci" might give a clue if you can't find it on the wireless lan itself.

"start.exe" ??
Hmmm, sounds like a Windows driver.

Yes, as Rickh said ... more information please.

Belkin ADSL Modem with Wireless G Router 54Mbps

It's a router that's connected to a phone line which sends wireless signals that are picked up by a little stick that lives in the USB hole.

And it works fine on my Windows hard drive (which I am currently using).

Is there not just a way to install anything? Like on Windows it just kinda does it automatically...

Got the Make (maybe) ... Need the model. What we're trying to determine here is what chipset you're using. I think there may also be confusion about which part we're gathering information about. We assume your router works fine the part we need a Make and Model for is the "little stick that lives in the USB hole."

In Linux, you need to know exactly what you're installing. You may have to go find your own driver. The company who built your computer knew what chipset it contained, and they provided a Windows driver for that chipset.

If you want the PC to "just kinda do[es] it automatically...," you'll have to stick with Windows.

If you really want to use Linux, here's an article you should read. Unless you start making your needs a little clearer, I'm sure it won't be long until someone provides you with a link to one of the most famous of all Linux article, "How to Ask a Question."

... but I think I've found what you mean. I could be mistaken though.

The model number is: F5D7050

I have a link to the website but I can't post it until I've made at least 3 posts, apparently. I'll post it shortly.

And I've found something called a Software manager on mandriva, but I don't seem to be able to find the Belkin thing or the CD with it.

Here's that website URL:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=179753
That's for the wireless stick thing.

Not done yet ... For that card there is a version 1, 2, 3, or 4

I'm not quite sure if you meant that as a question.

If you did, then my money is on 1.

Does that mean it says ver. 1 on the chip?

here is a link that might help:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...14#post2077114