Hey everybody. I'm as new as new can get to Linux...I downloaded and installed CollegeLinux a couple weeks ago and at least have learned to move around here and there, but I'm still pretty clueless. I have two main problems, but I think once I establish my internet connection I can take care of the other. I connect through Comcast using a Linksy's cable modem, but I use the usb port, not an ethernet cable. I'm totally confused about how to connect to the internet. My friends who have comcast say DHCP works effortlessly for them, but they use LAN cables. I have a LAN cable, but it still hasn't worked for me. If anyone could help me out or has any ideas...I'm ready to throw windows away.

Thanks a lot

I'm not familiar with that modem. Are you saying it has both a USB and an ethernet connection? If so, let me recommend the ethernet one. You wont need any drivers apart from ones to make your network card operational.

If you've got a network card that is already configured then just plug the modem in to it and type (as root) dhclient eth0 and see if you get a nice response. Then post it here.

It says when I type dhclient eth0: eth0 not found.

I guess it's not configured. My modem shows a connection to my LAN card, so it's functional, I guess I just need to configure it?

lol, forgot to mention I don't know how to configure it, so any help would be very much appreciated.

Could you post the output of lspci -v and lsmod?

I finally got it, and managed to get KDE up to. What a pain it was at first, but it's all worth it for what I learned about the shell and now I get the great KDE to have fun with. Thanks for the help.

Excellent. Did you end up using the ethernet or USB connection?

OK, this looks a lot like my problem...i am using Suse 9.0, it recognizes my xircom ethernet card...but no internet yet...how can I get this to run? Where is it that you type what? I dont understand!!! please help me!!!

OK just cut down on the begging and pleading. Could you post the output of lsmod, lspci -v and ifconfig?

BUD! I said I did not know anything about computers!, I don't know what you mean by ifconfig...where do I look for that? Where is that written? Is that an Icon? I need instructions on how to make the cable modem work as in suse for dummies...

i need instructions like you go here and click that and in such field type this...I dont understand computer slang...any help will be very much appreciated

There was no actual slang in my post. When I bold something, it (almost always) means it's a command. Therefore, you open up an xterm (or konsole, gnome-terminal, eterm, aterm, whatever they're all the same), type it in verbatim and press enter. I those commands return a "command not found" then put an "/sbin" in front of them. Therefore, lsmod will become /sbin/lsmod. Then you post the output here. By posting the output I mean copy and paste (no paraphrasing). If you can't access the internet from that computer (as you probably can't) then copy and paste into a text file and send it to a computer that does have internet access.

Also, let me recommend you read this. I found it very helpful when I first started posting things in forums. It's not that long - you can finish it in about 10-15 min - and it will make your life MUCH easier.

Adz,
I managed to set it up with the ethernet. The USB most certainly required drivers, and I didn't have any for linux, neither did the manufacturer. But the ethernet is working great, and so is X. =) I do have a problem with my printer. If you know anything about kprint (or have any reccomendations with a different desktop for X), could you e-mail me at robyrne@comcast.net? (I'd post all the questions here, but I don't want to flood this thread with printer stuff, and I can't seem to find the problem here) Thanks again.

Yeah I avoid USB where I can.

This thread is about broadband modems. Start a new thread. I'm sorry but I wont email you. That's what his forum and searching the web is for. Posting your email address is also not a good idea unless you have no other option because it's a spam-magnet.

Then don't flood it. Start a new thread with an appropriate subject line and you'll get MUCH more support since no one apart from people already subscribed to this thread will see your post. Normally, when this happens I suggest the person in question post the link to the new thread here and I'll follow it. This, however, will not do you much good since I have very little experience with printers under linux.

Like with uknowimfreaky let me suggest you read this.

I went to the suse website and they give me the following instructions:
If you´ve already configured your network card, please continue with 8.
Login as root and start "yast".
Select "System Administration" -> "Integrate hardware into system" -> "Configure network device".
As network type enter "eth0".
As networking device module please select your card from the list.
At "module options" type in the parameter for the IO-Port etc.. Have a look into the manual, chapter 14 "Kernel Parameter". ATTENTION! In case of a PCI-card you do not have to specify those parameters.
Select "Next". Go back to the main menue of YaST (press "esc" twice).
Choose "system administration" -> "network configuration" -> "network base configuration".
Now you are in the dialogue "selection of network".
Please press F5 to configure the device "ethernet" (whether it is not already inscribed in "device-name", e.g. eth0).
Press F3 and select "DHCP".
Afterwards please press F4 to activate this device.
With "F10" the configuration will be saved.
Select "system administration" ->"change configuration file" and search for the variable "DHCLIENT" and set it to "yes" to start it every time when you boot your system. (This step isn´t necessary since SuSE Linux Version 7.1!)
Now exit YaST.
Type in "rcdhclient start" to activate the network access. Afterwards you can test the connection with e.g. "ping www.suse.de".

I have problems following the 1st step, i log in as root, open yast and click on system administration, but I cant find the rest of the step...