Trying out Ubuntu 5.1 I have an ethernet card connected to a DSL modem but can't connect to anything using Firefox. The ISP says the modem will do the configuring but obviously doesn't. Modem is a westell 6100 How do I get it to work?

First, try a more recent version of Ubuntu. Next open a terminal, type in "ping www.google.com" and see if there is a response. If there isn't then type in "ping 216.239.51.99" and let us know if there is a response. If there isn't a response to the second one, then you aren't connected, if there is a response to the second one, but not the first, then the dns server of your isp isn't doing it's job. You could also try installing knetworkmanager, or whatever gnomes counterpart is, and trying to get it to configure things for you. It's possible that a distro that old just isn't doing it on it's own, as a more modern distro would. Also, I'm sure the support drones you spoke to told you to disconnect the modem for 2 minutes, then reboot your computer, that can work sometimes, but makes sure that there is no power to the modem for over 2 minutes, don't just turn it off, disconnect it from the wall, pull the plug.

Good luck...

David

Tried both recommendations and there is no connection. To determine if the the Linksys card could be at fault, I formatted the drive and installed an older Windows OS. The card works and can connect to the internet. I reinstalled Ubuntu until I have a newer version available. There is no connection. Wondering about drivers, I inserted the Linksys driver cd into the cdrom. I was quite surprised that Ubuntu could see it and listed lots of files including some that look like linux files. I can't figure out how to use the cd though to install anything.

Another curiosity. Last night I was checking out all the help files I could find, and attempting to add applications. Somewhere in my wanderings, I came across a box that was not what I see when I choose terminal. It had a line to enter the IP address and then a clickable ping. When I did that, I could ping the set of numbers but not google.com. I can't get back to that box Does it sound familiar to anyone?