does uname -r return 2.6.13-15 ? (AFAIK: SLED uses 2.6.16 or higher.)
or (c) the card isn't supported by the forcedeth driver supplied in that rpm.

JIC, check that ethernet is switched on in bios and that no special power management is enabled for the card.

You have also received this and copious other advice on other forums...
http://forums.suselinuxsupport.de/in...0&#entry258355
http://www.suseforums.net/index.php?...0&#entry219385
You should really obtain openSUSE 10.3 or the (service pack) updates to SLED 10.
I understand that you want to stick with the distro that has, so far, worked best for you. However, SLED is a commercial-support distro. If you want to use a commercial distro, then be prepared to pay for support. If you are not prepared to pay for support, use a free distro.

Interestingly:
http://fedora4520.blogspot.com/2007/...ification.html
... shows how to install fedora linux to your laptop.

According to distrowatch: f7 used a 2.6.21 kernel, sled10 uses 2.6.16-21 (your nv driver rpm was for 2.6.13 btw - did you check "uname -r"?), so it would support more up to date drivers.

openSUSE 10.1 used 2.6.16 as well... and, as you commented, didn't work.

openSUSE 10.3 used 2.6.22.5 and Ubuntu 7.10 uses 2.6.22 ... so it follows that either of these will have support if f7 does too. You tried Gutsy already. It would appear that you only need to install the forcedeth driver for it ... you can get the deb off the gutsy restricted repo... though it is amazing if it ain't in the install CD. (You jumped distros on us before you could try this' remember?)

I will check the kernel version number once I go home. One doubt, assuming that my kernel version is 2.6.16, shouldn't the driver meant for 2.6.13 work on this distro?

My first attempted installation was Gutsy, didn't work out. I think I will give SLED some more time only to setup the hardware (nVidia provides RPMs mostly).Once everything is up & running will probably switch to Gutsy or Suse 10.3.

No. Drivers need to be compiled for the kernel you are using.

IMO, easiest way out would be using Gutsy, then go to System => Administration => Restricted Drivers Manager and enable all restricted drivers it asks for. This is what was advised to you earlier too but you jumped the ship, that never helps.

Yes, I agree. I suggest that you go back to SLED or better yet, install OpenSUSE 10.3 since you've been trying out other distros as well, configure your network (mine uses only dial-up), update your version immediately, and you're good to go. We basically have the same model of laptop.

Processor AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology
Processor Type AMD Turion TL-58 (1.9Ghz, 1MB L2Cache)
Chipset NVIDIA nForce® 610M (MCP67-MV)
Memory 3 GB DDR2, 667 ( Upgradeable up to 4 GB )
Display Screen 14.1" WXGA TFT Crystalbrite LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel
resolution
Video Type NVIDIA GeForce® 7000M with up to 896 MB of TurboCache
Video Memory NVIDIA Shared Memory
Hard Disk 120 GB SATA HDD

Everything works as far as I know. Web cam works although the image is poor compared to Windoze (install the uvcvideo driver). There's plenty of noise. Watching movie is great! Video images are crisp (install the x11-video-nvidiaG01 and nvidia-gfxG01-kmp-default package via YaST). Compiz works, sound works except for some minor glitch. The left channel doesn't work when started. I have to install AlsaMixerGui and click the left or right speaker icon in the Headphone control section and it'll work. This also enables the S/PDIF output in front. I haven't tested wifi though.

amitabhishek: how are you getting on (before a distro war starts...)

I finally settled for Gutsy mainly because of its out of the box support for nVidia chipset. But nevertheless it wasn't easy either, thanks for some help here

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=649135

I managed to bring my system back to life.Things are pretty smooth as of now. One main reason I didn't stick with SLED because it refused to accept forcedeth drivers atleast on my system besides (I feel) Suse's distros lack that flair that comes with Open Source.

Thanks Simon for all the help, I feel all this mess helped me understand Linux even better.

SLED is open source ... it's just that the emphasis is on stability. OpenSUSE is closer to the cutting edge, which is "that flair" you feel. (I suspect you're thinking of the Novell/MS sellou^H^H^H^H^H^Hdeal). You get the same effect from any "stable" commercial release of any distro. <dons asbestos underpants>

By comparison, the nvidia 3D support from gutsy is not open source.

Nevertheless - it's good to hear everything was sorted out in the end.
One of the effects of troubleshooting linux is the understanding gained, not just of linux, but of the way computers work. This experience will ultimately improve your productivity. Another effect is how it makes you totally appreciate the next release...

OT:Well, it's a logical contradiction - a lie. Suspect a mistranslation or a misquote (or an attempt to sound wise by spouting nonsense...)

Better:

If I have any wisdom it is that I have no other wisdom.
If I have any knowledge it is that I have no other knowledge.

But still self-defeating. Even better:

The first step to wisdom is to realize that you do not understand.
... I'd like to know where the quote comes from though.

Oh... one last note on this:
This assumes backward compatibility ... now broken in vista also.

One of the advantages of open source is that you don't need to provide a consistent binary API to maintain backward compatibility for software. Instead, you recompile the software for each new kernel. This is easy because you have the source code (or somebody who has the code does it for you).

This is a great efficiency. However, it all breaks down when the source code is not available. Then you rely on a single vendor to get it right, and they have to supply a custom package compiled for a specific kernel on a specific distro. Each new kernel (and distro kernels are different) means a new package.

This is why you get gaps in the supported kernel versions, and why binary packages are very distro dependent. It is also why vendor packaged drivers are notorious for breaking distro components.

Of course, supplying a binary API would solve this... and introduce many more, nastier, problems. This is why Vista has a special "compatability" mode - which can only work by circumventing it's security.

Thanks for all the help Simon, But I'd appreciate if we stick to discussions about Linux. Thr is no point in discussing the color of my wall, size of my waist,meaning of this quote etc (on this forum).We can always do that on an IM.A lot one liners are written on the T-shirts, on bumper of the car etc. but how many times do we actually go & ask the owner about their meaning or origin.

As far as this is concerned:

you may find the origin here:

http://www.quotemountain.com/quotes/quotable_quotes/

Now you know from whr it originated.

Ahhh... Socrates: (out of context) but he was only doing it to annoy anyway. The idea was to initiate a dialog, not to state a conclusion, insight, or truth.

The theme in the Apologia is more: "My Wisdom lies in knowledge of my own ignorance." Says Socrates. A bit different from the common quote.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy... (Linux FOSS bit at the bottom)

..... OT: skip to bottom ...................................
But your response is quite interesting:

Me? Often... almost as often as the opportunity presents itself. Don't know about "we".

So, I should not ask about or comment on a Socrates quote on the grounds that I would not normally ask about the many others? Is that what you are saying?

Perhaps you feel it is off-topic? These forums have supported a wide variety of topics, from absinth to religion... I wouldn't be surprised if wall color and waist-size get a mention someplace too Geeks have wide interests...

Here's the thing - you put it out in public. Once public, it takes on a life of it's own - anything can happen, usually does. Be ready for the response.

And what about post #25?
I have provided lots of linux related material to talk about - you chose this.

Anyway, I agree that this shouldn't drag on.

..... end OT ....................................

Linux/FOSS Bit:
If you get asked about a sig again (or if this is the second or later time), you should consider providing a link with the quote, or, at least, attributing it It's good etiquette anyway. Respecting your sources is part of Open Source ideals after all - OK so Socrates is no longer collecting residuals...

You actually searched the origin of that quote, thats amazing!Interpretation can be different but Socarates always believed that he knew nothing.

Considering you, I do believe that Geeks have so many varied interests & one of the forum that may interest you is here.

I apologize if I interpreted anything wrongly. You are right lets not drag this topic.BTW topic #25 was very informative & one of the fundamental difference between Windows & Linux is this.No baggage.Trust we will keep bumping here more often .

<sigh> You're distro-hopping again!
Look in your other thread - a user reports good luck with openSUSE 10.3
SLED10 is older than openSUSE 10.2 (unless it's SP1) which you know won't work. So I don't see why you would expect anything different.
Upgrading the kernel and all the drivers, as well as installing the nvidia package from the YaST repos would be in order then.

Don't expect assistance until you demonstrate that you are prepared to follow advise.