I'm extremely new to linux. I've been getting along alright by myself for a while, scouring the internet for tutorials and howto's, but I don't think I can go in doing it with this next few things. You should also know I'm using a Compaq Presario 1800XL with Mandrake 9.1

1) I'm using a laptop and I need to somehow get ACPI on here. The howto's I've seen seem pretty inconsistent, some saying I have to patch linux and others saying have to get a newer version and recompile. I've heard things about using urpmi, but I can't find the 2.6 mandrake kernel anywhere and I've got no idea how to enable ACPI and recompile it without totally destroying my installation. What should I do and how do I go about doing it?

2) I'm just sticking with the drivers that came on the installation machine, is there a need to hunt down the newer versions of these drivers?

3) Sound doesn't appear to be working on KDE 3.1. I don't think it's my sound card because on occasion I can get sounds from gnome. Suggestions?

4) There are two volume buttons on the front of my laptop, is it possible to ever get them working again?

5) With some programs I've compiled and installed them from the source easily, but with others I get the same types of errors. Usually the tell me they can't find the "X includes" or the "libXext". How can I fix, find, or set these variables for myself?

All help is greatly appreciated Thanks in advance!

How bout just installing mandrake 10.0 instead... or Suse 9.0

That laptop should be supported 100% right from first install with no changes at all needed for any of the buttons or features. Suse handled it that way for me.

Can I upgrade to 10.0 through 9.1, so I don't have to download and burn the 3 cds ?

1) You're right about the lack of consistent doc about acpi on linux: things evolve so quickly that many docs get outdated in a couple of months...
Concerning your problem, using a 2.6.x kernel may not be needed. I got acpi working on my Presario 2800 with a bare 2.4.23 over my mandrake 9.1 (or 2.4.24, i don't remember exactly). I can't tell you about 2.6.x, as i haven't tried them.
You can try using a mandrake-provided kernel using on-line update, or compile your own... If you choose the second option, you can find the Kernel HOWTO at http://www.digitalhermit.com/~kwan/kernel.html

3)Just in case, launch "aumix" to check if the volume is not muted. If this is not the solution, then...

KDE has its own sound engine, called "Arts", which can override kernel configuration. "OSS" is the name of the kernel sound system (which is being replaced by ALSA). Some apps, like xmms, have to be told whether to use oss, alsa or arts. So you should give a look at some of their configurations to see if the problem comes from the apps trying to call the wrong driver.

If the problem goes on, then check on the mdk Control Panel/HardDrake if it has loaded the right modules for your sound chip.

4) give a look at lineakd ( http://lineak.sourceforge.net/ ). Works fine with me.

5 )It means that some needed headers are not installed. Most of those files are available on the MDK cd's, but not installed by default. Just check your control panel/ urpmi to get the right rpms.

Thanks alot, I'm gonna try a few of those things and get back to you