Error message when trying to install driver ( post #3)

I have downloaded the driver from the Nvidia site but when try to install it the following message appears:

ERROR: unable to find the system utility "ld" ; please make sure you have the package "binutils" installed. If you do have binutils installed then please check that "ld" is in your path.

I am completely new to Linux and am not sure with a lot of things. What does it mean to log in as root? I think I did but want to be sure. How do I find out if I have "binutils" installed? and if I do how do I check "ld" is in my path?

Also I am having problem with connecting to the internet. (my computer dual boots with xp) Linux recognises my onboard ethernet/lan connect but is unable to establish a connection.