Im brand spanking new to linux, and so far it has been more of a headache then its worth. Im using the 2007 version of mandriva.
I am trying to install the linux ATI drivers from the website. So I ran the command, but it said I had to be a "superuser" to be able to install it. So I tried to login as both @root, and root, the former had the error "login failed", the latter the error "cannot login as root"...or something to that effect. I then read in the forum to edit /etc/kde/kdm/kdmrc to have allowrootlogin=true, but I am not allowed to save it, and am not allowed to change the permissions because im not loged in as root! so what do I do?

No need to log in as root(and not recommended), enter KDE as a user, open a terminal and type "su"(without quotes).
This will then prompt you for the root password.

after this you should get a "#" at the prompt indicating that anything run from this terminal will be run as root.

Now you can run the ATI installer by typing

(if you are within the folder containing the installer)

or
(if you are outside the folder)

remember to type "exit" once you are done to return back to a normal user

good luck

NOTE: if you error saying that "ati-driver-installer-X.XX.X-etc.run" is not excecutable, do this:
BTW...Welcome to LQ

thanks, although now ive run into another problem (I thought that current linux platforms were supposed to NOT have all sorts of problmes...sorry but when I've run an OS for 6 hours and gotten nothing but problems my patience is running out), and that is that I can't get my creative audity 2 to work. (not to mention that the ATI drivers completely screwed up the whole OS and im lucky I figured out how to uninstall it). When I try and start the sound system I get this error "device /dev/dsp can't be opened (No such file or directory)" what do I do? at this point im about to just go back to windows. at least that works.

p.s. I know Im coming off as rude and abrasive, but I don't think I've ever been so frustrated with an OS before

[mod_edit_note]Members have complained about vulgar language, so I took it out.[/mod_edit_note]

Trying to Fiddle with X and ATI drivers is a killer if you have little experience with it. I had just as many drama's when I started, as I had no Idea what to do if X dumped me at a command prompt.

The ATI driver does give you a backup of you're original /etc/xorg.conf, but, if you don't know you don't know

I must admit, I also started with Mandriva(Mandrake) and could not, ever, get ATI to work...so I did as you and when back to windows.

2 Months later I was bored again and tried Mepis, everything worked

Hopefully a mandriva user can help you with the sound problems, Sound is one thing i've never had a problem with.

Many of us have been frustrated---there is a lot to learn. If you talk to us politely, we will bend over backwards for you.

The biggest issue I see with new users is that they assume that you can just hit the ON button as they do with Windows.

The bad news: Linux forces you to think a bit
The GOOD news: Linux forces you to think a bit

I have learned more about computers in 3 years with Linux than I ever did in the previous 60+

Gnodab,

You really have to put in work with Linux. I've had Linux for less than a week and I don't feel stagnant anymore like I did with Windows. Just trust us, after a little while you feel a lot better about yourself. You may want to give SUSE 10 a try. That's what I've started with and it's pretty user friendly. Go with a KDE desktop and you'll feel right at home for the most part.

The only problem I experienced with SUSE was the X window display not showing in effect me not knowing where the hell I was. But the nice people here showed me the light and now I'm up and running.

One thing is for sure, you can't be afraid to fuck up, but you have to be aware enough to not fuck up.

Regards,

Brandon