Hi,

I've always wanted to get into Linux and each time I try, I get stung and go back to Windows because it's so much easier for everything.

A long while back I tried Mandrake 7.1 and Redhat 6, both couldn't even play an mpeg file on my windows partition out of the box, I played around a bit but gave up because it wasn't easy to do things.

I tried Mandrake 8.1 and redhat 9, the fonts lok sh1t compared to windows and it's a mission to sort them out.

For god's sake, why can't they make it as easy as Windows?

Anyway a few years passed and I really felt like taking the plunge again so I tried Linspire/Lindows, dark murky looking, also with sh1t fonts ?? Why?

My last ditch attempt I came across Suse 9.1 Personal. WOW, what a difference, that really has to be the best Linux I ever used or saw, clean crisp fonts, nice colourful easy to use, AMAZING, I was really surprised!

COnfigured wireless networking on it all worked perfectly, then suddenly it stopped working, I can't get wireless or normal ethernet working.

So there we go again another bullsh1t thing to just make me wanna go back to windows. Why can't it just work? I didn't change anything.

Please help me to sort this out, I have had enough. No commands like ifconfig -a work from konsole.

Thank you..

Because u r not doing properly. U should know wat u r doing? Linux is not for noobs(no offence to u). I switched from windows to linux because linux is stable, virus free and hard to use. I have never felt that linux is so hard to use. I can install and configure a linux box within 20mins.

What do u mean? Do u want to install programs by double clicking the shit NEXT button and install a bunch of viruses and spywares along with that program? Then use windows, linux is not supposed to be like that. Or do u want to configure stuffs using crap GUI toys? If u can't read documentation dont expect programs to work properly. Linux is better than windows. U just need to know how stuffs are done.

Everything will work when u set things up properly.

No one starts out knowing how to use an operating system. You have to learn. If you've learned one and want to move to another one, it must be because the first one isn't performing well enough. That much is obvious. Now you must take the time to learn how the new OS works. I learned Windows and then moved to Linux and am now learning Mac.

Patience seems to be the catch phrase here. Linux does not work like Windows because Windows does not work well. Linux does. I've found many things to be much easier than the Windows way, and a few things harder. Everything is a learning experience. Most things are now able to be done in the GUI (as it should be) making it less and less necessary to move back to the old fashioned and outdated command line. Sometimes you still have to issue commands or edit a config file, but much headway is being made.

Be patient and don't expect things to work like Bill wants them to. That's the whole idea - to NOT be Windows. Grab a manual and play on a test machine to the point of blowing it up a few times. Once you install about 5 times you should be getting the hang of things. It is well worth the trouble.

And try to not be offended at some people's use of the juvenile L33t-speak and rude attitude. They tend to be idiots with closed minds and little to actually contribute anyhow, so no one really cares what they have to say. Enjoy your SUSE as I do, and be patient enough to learn.

Yeah i am a super idiot. Thanks for the complement.

Read his user name, he got pissed because somehow he couldn't configure something in linux. It is not linux's fault. He thinks windows is better than linux. And he is blaming linux. Do u guys think that it was linux's fault? Then tell yes, i will stop posting in others threads. Does anyone think that windows is better than linux or bsd? Then tell me i will stop posting in others threads and be a closed minded idiot. And i was not offending that guy. I was just trying to make my point, but i think it got a bit over. So my apologies. Good luck with suse.

Cheers

Hi guys thanks for replying and sorry for not responding sooner.

Cyto:-
Yes I want to install programs by pressing a "Next" button, but of course not spyware/viruses. It's easier, compuiters are supposed to make tasks easier for us.
Yes I want to configure things using GUIs. It's easier, compuiters are supposed to make tasks easier for us.

The problem here is, I did not change anything in the configuration and it just stopped working one day. That's it. At least windows is unstable in the way that when something stops working somehow, it might just start working again somehow. Connectivity stopped working in Linux and it refuses to come back again.

Anyway having windows installed on the same machine, the windows environment was responsive and graphics were painted very quickly, quick screen refreshes etc... In linux and KDE the gui is more sluggish.

Why can't it be faster than windows like everyone keeps saying! I'm going to switch that machine on again tomorrow and see what happens.

It's always puzzling when something stops working when you think you haven't done anything, however, you do need to be absolutely certain that you didn't do anything - if something stops working there has to be a reason - it could be a hardware issue.

Have a look at the system messages and start-up logs - in YaST .. Misc - there should be clues there - the start-up log is the last boot process - the system log /var/log/messages just gets added to so you'll have a good trawl (just like the Windows logs)! Look for error messages that might give you a clue as to what the problem is.

You don't say what your setup is but you mention wireless and non-wireless. Apart from the usual networking stuff to look at, if you have more than one network interface running DHCP then there could quite easily be an issue as if both are active on booting they may both try to set a default route. The simple way to try and sort it out is to use YaST .. Network Devices .. Network Card and temporarily disable both cards then re-enable one. If everything springs into life then you know it's to do with that. If it still doesn't work then I'm afraid you're into starting at the basics in a command box testing basic connectivity with ping, ifconfig, route etc.

Having used Windows and like you tried vainly to move to linux several times and given up repeatedly, SuSE + KDE lets me do mostly what I want without editing conf files. I would recommend using YaST for all your admin needs as by definition it is kept in step with any system changes and in my experience if you can't get it working with SuSE's own admin tool then you're in for a bumpy ride!

Good luck.

Computers are supposed to make tasks easier for us. But let me remind u that linux is not created to be easy to use. Programmers who created linux wanted a powerful, flexible and advanced OS. And dont expect linux to be easier than windows. I use Windows xp sp2 and wide range linux distros. And my linux is much faster than windows. You just have to some stuffs right. And i dont completely rely on KDE or gnome or anything other Xwindows stuffs. I configure my computer using commands even if i have graphical tools. Because it is much easier and faster and flexible.
Linux is faster than windows. If u wanna know my system specs. Here it is.

Specs:-
Pentium 4 3.0ghz processor
Geniune Intel mother board with onboard ethernet card
1024mb ddr ram
Winfast 256mb graphics card(my vivo edition) nvidia geforce5600
250gb sata harddrive
creative soundblaster sound card


I think u should stop blaming linux and try to solve the problems.

Good luck, cheers.

OK I switched it on today and surprise surprise it was still not working.

I went to Network devices in YAST and removed the wireless card and the ethernet card then I shutdown. I unplugged the wireless card physically so now I only have the onboard ethernet (which also used to work) turned on PC, went to YAST and it autodetected the ethernet card, so far so good. I don't use DHCP I manually configure the IP address, so I did that correctly I know it's correct because other windows boxes with the same IP config work. Saved and closed YAST.

typing ifconfig in konsole gives back:

bash: ifconfig: command not found

Isn't that like having windows without ipconfig?

I checked the startup log. The only clue there is..

"
Warning: No Interface active (yet?)done eth0 device: Intel Corp. 82557/8/9 [Ethernet pro 100] (rev 09)
eth0 configuration: eth-id-00..etc..... rest of MAC address
eth0 IP address: 3.0.0.8/8
"

Maybe that means something.

Looking at the lan socket behind the machine I see a green LED which indicates that the physical connection is ok, and my router shows that port is connected too.

I try to ping the router's ip and that does nothing, no response from the command, not even "destination host unreachable" ??? Just hangs there. I guess that mean that the eth device is not even active (as the log suggests)

What do you think I should do from here?

You need to activate your ethernet card using Yast.

My two pence worth is this:

I'm a committed Linux user for many reasons - but I find the aggressive evangelist attitudes of Linuxers awfully annoying. Face it folk....Windows IS miles better at the moment - God...a stable Windows installation will cause an average user far less trouble than even the latest fancy distro. Some people like hacking, others don't.

I am fortunate enough to be a of a techy, and love what I can get out of Linux. But I would not install it on Moms PC. The day may come when this will be possible, and I hope it does....but it's some years away. Stop slagging off windows....Linux is the new kid on the block, and with it's huge versatility and rapid rate of development, it's day should come. We Linux users are nothing more than early adopters/pioneers.

Well, u would say that if u haven't anyother Distro. Windows is not even a proper multiuser os. Linux is better. Windows is not mature. Childish file permissions and rules. Anyone can view files created by an user. Stability? nah, dont even dream it, if u really wanna use a computer. Security? OMG!!! Does anyone think that windows is secure. U cant be serious. Just multimedia support and hardware support doesn't mean that windows is better.

I suggest u to try more mature advanced distros like Slackware or Debian. Or wat about freebsd or Openbsd. Try to use it, compare it with windows. Then u will understand wat u can get from a mature operating system. I dont know how u could say that in Linux forum. Look at the number of members here. Do u think all those people are noobs and idiots? Linux is for mature people.

Windows might be older than linux, but poorly designed and retarded.

I would tend to agree with Lacerto here.

Cyto, you talk about security and file permissions, mutli-user etc. I#'m trying to get this "PERSONAL" computer up and running. I don't need to mess with file permissions, security, multi-user nonsense. I'm sure those things you mentioned have their place in certain environments, but not in mine and probably millions of others who currently use Windows and are happy. I am only getting into Linux because I don't want to be left behind and I also like to explore.

Anyway matthiar mentioned I have to activate my eth device from Yast. I couldn't see where you can do that from within Yast. When I first installed this distro I don't remember having to do that either. Once it was detected and I set up the IP address, DNS etc... and it all worked.

Cyto, I see that you're very passionate about linux will you convert me? Offer me some advice that may help to solve this problem.

That is so pathetic. Please, tell me what "mature" in this context means. Is it somebody who uses "u" instead of "you"?

I was talking about linux not mine or his maturity. All i meant was that Linux is for mature people so it will a bit hard to use and configure. I didn't say that 'WindowIsBetter' is not mature. I am not talking about people but linux. You are the one who is being pathetic, doing personal attacks at others if u dont have nothing say.