Several Distros not recognizing network adapter AND so much more...
 

Why is everybody hating on officers in Linux distros?

Every time my computer starts a LiveCD, it says "booting the kernel". What did the poor guy do?


But, seriously folks.

I have been a Windows user for a lot of years.(with the exception of the past seven or so when I was out in the bush with basically no modern conveniences, so I am relearning A LOT) and now I get the feeling that Linux is a much more no frills way of handling many applications.

My conundrum:

I have attempted a simple burn and load(to cd) operation of a bunch of distros most have not been successes. Tried PCLinuxOS(all four of 'em),AntIX ,Mepis,DebianLive. Of these; all loaded with not much more than "vga=0x314 nomodeset" as a modification pre-boot(that idea I found here,gratefully) BUT no wireless networking detected.But a least they finished a boot to a desktop. Still, I am cluelessly green here :)

Next was Fedora 16(booted[some of the time] then froze after stating "bad target number") labeled that a failure then tried
OpenSUSE12wGnome which yielded about the same. BZZZZZ next...
LinuxMint12LXDE once again about the same(.This being the 32bit version due to size of 64 bit not fitting on a cd), so, BZZZZ next...

Tried smaller, with Thinstation 5.0...Nuthin'(But it did fly on a little netbook I have)

Then I figured with so many folks touting the praises of Ubuntu, I'd give IT a try.Version 11.10 didn't boot. Somebody in the forums stated that the only version that loaded without a hassle was 10.04. Excited I tried IT. Started loading a while then froze. BZZZZ next. Kubuntu, same deal.The only thing that did happen was that I ended up with an Ubantu@ubantu prompt and me wondering if it loaded or not and what to do next. Typing HELP got me a list of commands and nothing else, is this considered normal, did it load or not? If so what am I supposed to do? I think I typed one of the commands corresponding to loading the desktop and was told desktop could not be loaded. Frustrating, arrrgggh

Maybe it's the media I say,so I go out a buy some DVD-r and try ULTIMATE 3.2,because quite frankly the "eye-appeal" was absolutely awesome.3 gigs later several attempts at tweaking the video,noapic and nomodeset yielded only frazzled screens and nerves to match.DAMN! I exclaim, as I really wanted the cool looking one to work :(

With a lot of these attempts a text-only showed me A LOT of errors which implied "no response from hardware" or thisNthat "not detected" so its REALLY been frustrating.

The absolute plus side though are these:

Knoppix 6.7 would have been 100% success and satisfaction.Firewall would not "take" from LiveCD and attempts to remedy same directed me to the necessity of a "persistent Image" which I assumed wasn't preloaded. Since I am migrating from Windows (I hope) based on what I perceive to be serious flaws and compromises in Windows, I am NOT surfing without a firewall,so as a result I didn't go any further with Knoppix. Oh plus,no audio in Knoppix.(I found the same in the distros that loaded sans networking)

Finally, I had just about 100% victory in VectorLinux7.0Standard Gold. With the exception of running all my sound through the internal speaker, everything was PERFECT and pretty cool looking also. I am sure a little tweaking is the norm and I am cool with that, I think you get what you give sometimes, and I DO want to actually learn a little bit about Linux.

I have a brand new HP AMD quad-core that just rocks most of the time.I am getting the feeling that its just not giving up its hardware stats during booting OR I am expecting too much?

I was hoping Linux would be a purer computer experience, but is all this hassle just typical? Am I stuck with no networking and fouled audio when using the LiveCd versions?

The last time I messed with and extensive "GUIless" programming was in the eighth grade on a Radio Shack TRS80 Model III. Yeah, I'm a little old. I remember thinking how totally radical it would be to have one of those OSBORNE portable computers or at least a Commodore 64!!!

Anyone have any suggestions about a distro that isn't a total no brainer,meaning something that leaves some room to learn, but at least gets you started?

I want a solid secure distro that's still a little fun(allowing my entertainment-oriented machine to flex its muscle) and,ideally, makes me never regret migrating from Windows.Or at least depending on Linux primarilly. My gut says Linux is core and will weather the seasons of system development and evolution.

Any and all advice/comments are gratefully welcomed.

Also my adapter is an RalinkRT5390

There are a lot of pages online about using that NIC, listed here.

Lets start here, as you seem to have had the best experience with this one.
(Personally, I think it is a good choice, lots of info available & forum)

A firewall will not be 'necessary' with Linux, because of 'permissions' on directories & files.

A Knoppix 'persistent image' is a file that keeps your personal configurations.

Anything data-wise that is important on Linux is encrypted; i.e. passwords, etc.

A Knoppix live cd does not normally mount internal disks without being told to by you.

So, basically, firewall not needed.

As to which Distro to use, that is definately a personal choice, as is the GUI environment you use; or even just the command line.

If I where you, I would try the lightweight live/installable distros until you find one you like; one will suit you, eventually.

(I went through many before settling on Debian GNU/Linux.)

Hope that helps,

(As for age - I'm 61)

Thanks
 

Thanks,Catkin, I will research and see what happens

Thanks so much, Fatmac. It is very helpful.

I am still trying to embrace the inherent lack of viral/network intrusion worries in Linux which are so very prevalent and pervasive in Windows.Feels quite

strange,actually.

Anyhow, I'm going to tinker with Knoppix and see if I can get the audio working somehow. If it feels like a decent fit, I might stay with it.

Do you have any thoughts/experience with VectorLinux? It was also a functional success.

Just wish I could of gotten sound to work in both.


Here's my sound data if it helps:

Name AMD High Definition Audio Device
Manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices
Status OK
PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1002&DEV_AA01&SUBSYS_00AA0100&REV_1002\4&5D71B8&0&0001
Driver atihdw76.sys (7.12.0.7700, 112.52 KB (115,216 bytes)

Name IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
Manufacturer IDT
Status OK
PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_7605&SUBSYS_103C3591&REV_1001\4&3662F92&0&0001
Driver stwrt64.sys (6.10.6329.0, 509.50 KB (521,728 bytes)

Thanks again, I will keep trying :)

Oh yeah...61 huh? You probably have some epic tales of the old days in computing. That's awesome, you got to see it all evolve to now! :)

If you have installed Knoppix, you might care to read some of the documentation on it at the knoppix.net website, particularly the Hard Drive Installation paragraph near the bottom which explains why new users are discourage from installing it to a hard drive.

http://knoppix.net/wiki/Main_Page

There is a link to some pages with instructions on installing Knoppix to a hard drive or flash drive if you still want to pursue it.

I should have mentioned I am working with CDLive distros...ooops

Re no sound; look for a 'mixer' in the menu, if not there, try 'alsamixer' in a terminal.

I believe VectorLinux split & produced another system called Salix OS; I've tried Salix & found it to be good.

(I've only been fiddling with computers since 1995; but I did start with DOS.) :)