I am a newbie when it comes to Linux. I have dabbled with it from time to time, but now I am going to learn it. I just installed Mandrake 9.2 but was forced to use an old kernel due to the one on the discs I made would not detect my CD ROM.

Because of the old kernel I cannot get my PCMCIA WI/FI card to work, as the older kernel does not support it. Is it possible for me to download a new kernel on my other computer, save it to a cd, the transfer it to the laptop and update. If so, what is the easiest way to update it. I have been looking for a very easy step by step walkthrough, but haven't found one yet Any help would be greatly appreciated.

giving up on a new kernel is pretty much the beginning of the end! support a CDrom is much much easier than a pcmcia card, so i'd say get mandrake 10, install all the newest stuff and then see if your cdrom works. deliberately installing an out of date system (especially one based on a strict package managenmetn system like rpm) is really not the best way forward...

Thanks. I just got Mandrake 10 and installing it now. It's on my Laptop. so changing hardware is kinda out of the question.