Add on hardware many problems
 

I have recently installed openSUSE 11.0 on my computer. I am having problems with a number of the peripherals. The printer a Cannon only works if it is turned on before the computer boots and even then it sometimes does not work. I have downloaded the correct drivers. The internet connection (ADSL) often hangs and will not complete an update. The card reader works at first but often hangs midway through a file transfer.
The keyboard mouse, screen, audio, memory stick all work OK.
Also how do I change the Root password ?
I am a total novice with Linux but I have used PCs for many years.
Any advice would be appreciated.

One of the main problems with printers these days is they are akin to the (WIN)Modems of the past. This type of product uses software to emulate hardware in order to save money making chips, many printers use this and that would be the reason that the printer must be turned on prior to boot up.

Without a specific model number/name we can't be sure of this.

The ADSL modem may experience the same problem as it may be a ADSL (WIN)Modem. It's also possible that the place your downloading the updates from may time out. Check someplace that has a bandwidth speed test to find out what's going on with that. Also post model number/name.

The card reader may stall on something and then continue, it's possible the card has a bad block did you try another card?

To change the root password you just login as root and type

passwd

then enter the new password 2 times.

While the winprinter thing was also my suspicion, years and years ago I used to have exactly that problem with a Samsung laser printer (with SuSE ~8.0 as it happens), more recently it hasn't had that problem (currently Ubuntu Gutsy). I think the problem went away before I moved that machine from SuSE to Ubuntu, but I can't exactly be sure any more.

Is the printer a USB printer?

The printer is Canon Ip 4500 with a USB conection

The modem is Speedstream 4200 connected via onboard Lan

the CPU is AMD athlon 64 bit 3200Hz
Memory is 1 gig

I hope to fix the printer first
Thanks for all the help to date