I am running Fedora Core 3 right now and it is working for the most part...nothing has really been installed. I want to start from scratch using commands (format and start over) just to get the experience...first I need to know a few things...

I am running a Dell Inspiron Notebook 5150....I have NO idea what I have in it really....like specifics..I know all the basic information but nothing specific...

How do I go about getting a list of everything that I have in it? XP used to just install things so I never had to do this stuff....but I am glad that I am "getting under the hood" of my system.

I also would like a recommendation on a book to learn Linux thouroughly...

Thanks
djljjm

Since you're using Fedora, there must be a package manager (rpm).

To find out what packages have been installed with your distro, you can go to RedHat's package manager GUI tool which will list out all the installed packages on your system.

As for a book, I am unable recommend any because I learnt Linux without a book .

If you would rather use the command line then in the command line to display all installed packages type:
will display a list of all packages installed on your system.

check out:

http://www.icon.co.za/~psheer/book/

it's an excellent online book full of information for you

I don't need to know what FC has installed, I need to know the specs of my machine so I can install all the drivers and such....like the type of modem and such...how do I find out what types I have? Thanks!

djljjm

cat /proc/pci
cat /proc/bus/usb/devices
cat /proc/cpuinfo
cat /proc/interrupts

Will give you lots of info, some of it not very 'Linux Newbie' friendly, on what is installed, Dell's website may also have details on what's in there. Dell probably doesn't have any info on how to get Linux to work, but they should have a spec sheet for your model with what type all the internal devices are, such as the network port, modem, video card, etc.