I knew there would be a lot to leard with Linux but even after reading loads of information, I am no further than the basic install which, in all fairness to RH, was a piece of cake - ie: can't really take the credit for that, no achievement for me really.

All i'm trying to do is get my Linux system to a state where I can 1) connect to the internet... 2) mount the secont partition of the primary hard disk which happens to be NTFS. (Dual booting box)

I've downloaded Patches which won't patch (errors - file to patch not found?) and RPM's that seem to run but have no affect? Even after running what I believe to be an ntfs module from linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net (RPM), I type the comand to list filesystems and ntfs is not there, trying to mount the drive returns a statement saying ntfs is not a known file system or something.

I've also downloaded patches and rpm's that I am let to believe will allow me to connect to the internet via my BT speedway card (I know, i know - FRITZ! card!) to no avail.

So, if anyone has any words of wisdom for me I would appreciate it as i'm about to give up on Linux for now and try again in another year or so.

Ta

Adios Amigo.. have fun, we'll see you in a year.

(BTW, I'm not trying to be sarcastic or rude, I just really feel no member here should try to persuade anyone from doing anything, if its staying with and using Linux or jumping off a cliff cause everyone else is doing it. We get way too many threads like this and I feel if your having problems, ask, if you feel you can't solve those problems and need to go back to Windows, then use Windows, I'm not judging you if you do. Regards.)

I'm not sure what kind of response you are looking for.

Are you looking for someone to commiserate? To convince you to stay? Drama?

(I'm sorry I never understood why some newbie is crying he's going to give up on linux)

I checked some of your other posts (there haven't been many yet) and I'm sorry I can't help you since i don't know about those issues...but someone might.

If you want to stay, do stay...LQ might help...if you want to give up, go ahead too...its YOUR choice isn't it?

Listen, I'm re-reading what I wrote and I know it sounds harsh...but seriously...linux does work...but it does require work and some thought on the user's part.

If you decide to NOT give up, you may want to try other distros...maybe Mandrake or Knoppix might detect your hardware better than RH did...you've got nothing to lose really.

Fair comment, i've just had a sh***Y day at work and it started raining as I was about to take my BMX down the park for a bit of stress relief.

I won't give up, there's plenty of stuff left to read. I'm just a bit tired of having to boot to windows to connect to the web, get answers, download stuff, cut it to CD before booting back into Linux to try it and fail!

Just fancied a moan, spose I was expecting a bit of sympathy really.

If I could just get online, i would be much happier. My mate said to me today "Just buy a simple modem for now, you'll get online easy" and I said, "No, that's a cop out" So I guess I really have no intention of giving up on Linux just yet really as that would also be a cop out and that's not me.

Your slaps in the face were appreciated.

Well seriously tho...try this:

Download and burn the latest Knoppix and use the CD. Their hardware detection is a cut above most...so once you're booted all the way in (its a CD distro so you don't HAVE to install) you can poke around and see how THEY set you up..then go back and do it in your existing install....(assuming Knoppix works of course)

Or try another distro..

Hi lovelyguinness,

you're right, Linux can be a hard thing to install and get running.
I think, it's because every PC-hardware is mainly built for running on Windows, because they want to sell it to the 90 % of Win-users. So there are PCs on which some Distros simply won't work, even if they were fast enough and had enough RAM.
I had to try 4 Distros: RH 9, although new, doesn't work, I tried very hard.
Now SuSE 8.1 runs - on that hardware.
I still can't do everything I want, for example simple things like installing (compiling) the software I like, but ... the more I learn about Linux, the more I like it.
I hate logging in at startup for example, but in SuSE 8.1 (KDE 3) I can automate that. Nice.
I need a keyboard mouse, because using the mouse-button all the time makes me sick. SuSE 8.1 (KDE) has a keyboard mouse just like Windows. Very nice. Getting usable.
But what I just discovered is: Linux doesn't have to be modern. Microsoft has to recreate the look of Windows about every 3 years, otherwise people wouldn't buy it anymore. Tux could say: "So what, Linux is free, it doesn't need to sell." So you can still use very old stuff like vi or mc and nobody can say: "Look, you need to run OfficeXP and WinXP or you're out and uncool like DOS."

Could you tell if Windowmaker is modern or not ? I think, it doesn't matter that much. Linux is so open, you can still use your current version in decades. Linux offers you the possibility to escape from the dictatorship of being modern in computing.
I think, that is such a great thing, you should give Linux another try one day.

abgdf

Don't give up! We're talking freedom here. Actually, get Mandrake 9.1. It's almost MS brain dead for ease of use and abuse. Folding to the Windoz ( ) persuasion is not an option.

Cheers mate. I've not given up. Downloaded Knoppix (thanks tcaptain) the other night which has given me 100% success. Also bought a (basic) Linux Book yesterday.

Things are looking up.

I suggest you re-load windows! Or borrow another computer.

Then, once back on the net, see if your Modem is Linux compatible. If it is, you may be able to get a driver for it. If not, you should be able to buy one that is for less than £20! Then you can try Linux again!

I see you are in Wales. Is Cable Broadband available in your area and have you considered it? If so, you can connect to it through your Ethernet socket (which will need a special downloaded driver if you have an nForce2-based card). You can get a distro like Mandrake 9.1/9.2 or Debian, (initial install much easier with Mandrake) and use your broadband connection for frequent updates and extra features.

Also watch out for a magazine (in WH Smiths) called Linux Format. I expect either the next issue or the one after will be carrying the download edition of Mandrake 9.2. Check out their web site at www.linuxformat.co.uk if you don't have a local stockist.

Have fun!

DAVE

you could always compile NTFS support into the kernel if you havent tried that yet. the Knoppix idea is what i used to get X to work. I let Knoppix do my XF86Config and Config-4 files and just saved 'em to a floppy and copied them over after rebooting to Gentoo.

for the network card, you'll want to find out what chipset it uses and check to see if it's supported by the kernel (most cards seem to be these days). If it's a modem, i cant lend much advice there, i've never confi'd a modem to work in Linux and i pray i never have to (matter fact, i took the modem out of this box because it wouldnt even work in Windows....bad modem i guess).

Anyway, good luck with it.

Ta.

Broadband in this part of Wales is expected about 2008 - ish. No demand here you see - us numb-nut taffy's dont need fast web access - apparently - Thanks BT! (No cable here either). I use 128K ISDN - which is quite good actually.

Anyway. My machine is dual booting (I managed to get that right!), So I can use the web (Like now). tcaptain's suggestion of Knoppix has worked well. That correctly found my ISDN card anf I was online in seconds. I have noted all the settings but as yet, failed to get RH to connect. Still trying though.

My longer term plan is to get a Cisco 801 router for web access but I prefer to get stuff working than to give up and buy new. Unless it's just not supported obviously (but I know it is supported 'cause knoppix see's it fine).

I'll def check out that mag - cheers Dave.