I just tried Linux the other day to try and make the possible switch from Vista to Linux, but now Im thinking otherwise. I have a D-link wired pcmcia card, and a netgear wired and wireless card. Ideally I would like the wireless card to work, but any of the above would be fine. When I try to install it though, unlike Vista with .exe files, I have to do all this file creations, text changes, etc., and it is all way over my head! Unless you guys cangive me step by step directions, or an easier way, I give up! It is too much of a headache.

Guess you're not as smart as the millions of people using it successfully. Linux is not for everybody.

I guess not, and that is probobly why so many millions of other people are running Vista. Vista is soo much simpler, and whe you work a stressful full time job, you want something that you can come home to that will be easy, simple, and reliable. Now, if you can honestly tell me that other than reliable, Linux is these things. If you can prove me wrong, I will be glad and want to use linux vs vista, but as of now, all you have done is insulted me.

Your comment on installing hardware is a valid point concerning Linux.

It would be great hardware manufacturer's want to support Linux customers. Sadly a large number of hardware and software manufacturer's do not product drivers for their products on popular OS platforms such as Linux.

I work for a hardware company that has realized that our customers utilize a large number of OS's. We produce Windows/Linux/Unix drivers for our products.


If you specify the model type of your DLink card and your specific Linux version ... I believe that you will get some assistance in getting it running.

I would suggest that your thread title be more appropriate to the problem you have encountered.

It is a DLink DFE-690TXD
Linux Version is Mandriva Spring 2007 Free

Thank-You

Are you still trying to use Mandriva2007 (free version)?

Your post indicates that you have a laptop, is this correct? What kind is it and can you provide a link to a webpage showing the specs?

Your previous thread is here:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...00#post2718000
... there you asked about setting DVI as the default monitor - not sure why this would be useful on a laptop but hey ho. You didn't mention any network cards at all.

GrapefruiTgirl was quite helpful. If you found some threads to deal with your issues but didn't understand them, we will help... but you need to tell us what you have found and where you didn't understand.

To help you with the network cards, we need to know more about them. Plug one in, and open a terminal. Enter lspci. You'll get a slew of technical readout. Copy this down and paste it (or type it out verbatim) in reply.

You should realize that Mandriva probably doesn't have the required tools for some hardware, out of the box. There are other distributions that will.

Also realise that the open source community will be happy to help anyone who shows a willingness to help themselves, to work a little. To help you understand this, try reading the long advise in my sig.

Otherwise - MS is welcome to you.

Just a question...why would you join a Linux forum to announce that you are giving up on Linux? This would imply to me that you really want to figure out the problem and install Linux but don't know how to say: "OK-I'm stumped. I need help installing a Linux distro that works with my hardware".

So, do you want help with this? If Vista is so great, why did you want to switch? And how much research did you do on Mandriva before you decided you wanted to install it?

Link to Laptop specs: http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/.../p930017.shtml

I gave up on trying to get Linux to run side by side with windows, so I uninstalled it from my desktop, and installed it on my laptop alone.
I dont know how to do what u described above.
What other distribution should I try?

I joined at first because I was trying to figure out a problem with my video card, but the information I was give was too complicated for me. And I did no research on the distributions because I had no idea their were other ones, I just read a news article about this one. I announced that I was giving up to attract attention to get your help because I am stumped, and overblown by all these directions people are giving me. I need simple, step-by-step instructions. Sorry if I sound rude, Im just really frustrated right now.

I use Gentoo ... but I think this would be too much for you ...

I have a Laptop that triple boots; Gentoo, Fedora Core 6, and Xubuntu.


You might want to try out Kubuntu.


I believe that your DLink card uses the rtl8180 drivers ... or look into ndiswrapper.

Point taken.

Debian, Ubuntu, Slackware, Puppy, and DSL are known to run well on laptops...

Ok, what one would be best for an extreme beginner like me? I know the ropes of Windows pretty well, but not the deep stuff like the registry etc. And what would be the easiest for me to get everything running smoothly?

My guess (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) is that Ubuntu, Puppy, and DSL would be the best to start with.

I do not think that any distribution will support the rtl8180 chip out of the box.

how about:
NETGEAR 54 mbps Wireless PC Card
Model#-WG511 v2

NETGEAR 10/100 Mbps Cardbus Mobile Adapter
Model#-FA511

3Com Megahertz 10/100 LAN CardBus PC Card
Model#-3CCFE575CT

PS-whatever will be easy AND work with my wireless card above, would be preferred.

Again, sorry for being so rude (but understand my frustration), and THANK-YOU for all your help!