hey there...i am a newbie in linux.

i m using linux red hat 8.0 which i have install recently. the problem is that i can't seem to go online. i am using broadband and i heard that the network configuration is automatic.

pls help.
thanks.

Your ethernet chipset needs to be supported. If it is not, then you will not have internet through broadband connection.

i reinstalled the linux. its was running fine as i can go online but after a while i can't surf the net.

is there something wrong with the settings?? and what do you mean by ethernet chipset need to be supported??

It would help if you could list your hardware.

P4 1.7 (socket 428)
Intel Mainboard (cant recall the model)
RD Ram (2x128mb)
40 gig seagate h/d(used for windows)
10 gig seagate h/d(used for linux)
(i am running on dual boot)
sb live sound card
dlink network card 10/100mbps fast ethernet
52x cd rom and 1.44 floopy

It would also help if you told us something about your Internet connection. Cable or DSL? Which provider? Are you connecting through a router of some sort or do you just plug directly into the DSL/cable modem?

Meanwhile, here's stuff to try...

1) Type ifconfig eth0 -- what shows up? If you get "device not recognized" or a similar error your ethernet card hasn't been detected. You'll probably just have to modprobe the appropriate driver.

2) If the card is recoognized, check if ifconfig shows a valid IP address. If not and you get one via DHCP try typing "dhclient eth0" or "dhcpcd eth0" (not sure which one RH8 uses) and see if you get a good IP address and can connect.

Also, you should really consider upgrading to Fedora Core. RH8 is old and even Fedora Legacy has dropped support due to lack of demand. If you're computer is connected directly to the Internet with no firewall, please apply all the relevant security patches to your system and configure the firewall to block incoming traffic.