You say mandrake 9.0,
have you tried mandrake 9.1 - the latest release - it has quite a lot more support for newer stuff i.e. hardware etc
I struggled like hell to get my scanner working - which was
supposed to have good support. I got there eventually.
As soon as I installed the 9.1 it detected and configured it straight away - no hassle whatsoever.
The only thing with any linux distro is that if (like me) your knowledge is only window$ based, then the learning curve is unbelieveable.
Use a "dual boot" set up, then you have the best of both worlds and if you have problems with the linux install, you can just boot back into window$ to obtain assistance that you might not be able to get while you are in linux - if you have connection problems and the like.
What is more frustrating, is that quite a lot of the available "literature" is not as helpful as it is trying to be - IMO its written by geeks, for geeks. As far as books are concerned - various people have recommended "running linux" published by O'Reilly. Got my copy in front of me, but I havent got round to trying it yet
because ??????
the best thing is the forums like this - there's always someone who will try and help you - the only downside is that if (like me) you are impatient by nature, then the frustration bit is the worst.
But I would also say, get stubborn and shout and swear at you monitor (but don't hit it with anything

it won't do any good).
Just don't give up - that's easy.
regards
John