Sorta... xorgconfig set up right, i went and change it to see if i could get the sound card working...and BAM! the monitor goes off(into standby) whenever i use startx and everything stops working...

Anothing thing i'm confused about...how do i use my Cdrom?

And how do i create a new user?

And how do i compile?

you should have backed up your xorgconfig file before making changes.

you are on the right track...........this is how you learn linux.............i crashed mine and had to reinstall like 20 times in one week when i first switched to linux.

always backup

i agree with him, always back up config files before you edit them.
thats is the reason most people start learning linux on a unimportant box, they still have another computer to use if they need it

you use useradd or adduser to create another user

Okay, firstly, how come you were editing xorg.conf to setup sound? Lesson 1: X.org doesn't have anything to do with sound. Lesson 2: Once you have a working xorg.conf consider yourself blessed, don't try and change it

You'll need to rerun xorgconfig and remember that values you used the first time. That's why your monitor is going into standby. You can add users with the useradd command. Read the man page or search for "add user in linux" for some info how to do it, it's very simple but the groups you need to put the user in vary between distrobutions.

In linux, your CDROM is a device, the whole concept is very different from Windows. You'll need to create a directory (most distrobutions do that for you, it's /mnt/cd) and then mount the CDROM device to that mountpoint. Make sense? If not read the man page for mount or Google it, it's pretty simple once you get your head around it. So once you have your mountpoint (/mnt/cd) created, mount the CDROM there like this:
And then you'l have access to your files. If you want to remove the CD you'll need to unmount the device (umount command) before it'll let you eject the CD. If you want all this done automagically for you, Google for programs like ivman, automount or if you feel like patching your kernel, supermount is quite good as well.

As for compiling programs, you'll need all the development tools installed such as GCC, make, autoconf, the list is a mile long. Your distrobution will come with all of them but not necessarily installed by default, if you told us what distro you were using we could tell you how to install them. Generic instructions are just crack open whatever program you use to install software and installl everything in the Development category.

Hope that helped

Yah! In my first two years with Linux, I figured about 17 different ways to trash my system, and 17 different ways to protect myself from myself.

Biggest thing I had to learn when I switched to Linux: you are your own system admin. You have so much more power over your system: in terms of installation options not offered by *that other* OS. That's the main reason for having to setup two accounts when you install: root and user. Always login as user: to protect yourself from yourself.

To learn more about Linux, especially command-line operations, I'd suggest googleing up a copy of 'Newbie's Linux Manual' to start you on your way: it got me started.

Then download a copy of 'Rute Users Tutorial' and LAME (Linux administration made easy).

Read, then try. Read some more, then try some more. Eventually you will become comfortable with Linux. After that, you will wonder in amazement that you ever thought ms-windo$e was worth the price.

Hang in there! It's worth the effort. If you hit the wall and can't solve the problem, we're here. Someone here can help.

I have to chime in here. There is a reason I chose the name DeadPenguin. I have broken more installs than I care to remember. But, from every mistake I have made I have learned a little something more.
Keep trying. You can always ask questions here, google, and use the search and tutorial buttons here if you need help.

For compiling:
Compile

To add user:
useradd

Good Luck,
Blair