If I am using Mandrake 7.2 with what I think the kernel version is by looking in Device Manager "Linux 2.2.17-21mdk i686" should I download the 2.4.2 kernel version? At this point I can't get nothing working and I wonder if using a different kernel that perhaps I may be able to load some hardware that I have not been able to.

I have a Pentium D815EEA Motherboard with Audio Video and Lan and I can't even get sound out of it with Linux. I am not going to give up though because I really like the OS and the graphic display is better than how it looks on windows.

Is there any programs that I can download that can detect and configure hardware? Harddrake is not working, it just freezes up and I have to reboot.

Thanks for helping me.
BC

"If I am using Mandrake 7.2 with what I think the kernel version is by looking in Device Manager "Linux 2.2.17-21mdk i686" should I download the 2.4.2
kernel version? At this point I can't get nothing working and I wonder if using a different kernel that perhaps I may be able to load some hardware that I have
not been able to. "
------------------
What do you mean you "can't get nothing working"? Exactly what does and does not work?

----------------------
"I have a Pentium D815EEA Motherboard with Audio Video and Lan and I can't even get sound out of it with Linux. I am not going to give up though because I
really like the OS and the graphic display is better than how it looks on windows. "
------------------------
Glad you don't want to give up. Downloading and installing the 2.4.x kernel MIGHT help, but it is a process that requires patience and caution. You might also be able to recompile the 2.2.17 kernel and get everything to work.
-----------------
"Is there any programs that I can download that can detect and configure hardware? Harddrake is not working, it just freezes up and I have to reboot.

Thanks for helping me.
BC"
--------------
I am not sure.. I use RedHat and it comes with Kudzu that seems to work VERY well. You might be able to install that on your Mandrake box. Mandrake and Redhat are very similar.

thanks for your response.

My modem is not working (US robotics) it is set on com port 5 on my machine, but Linux is only seeing up to com port 4.

My cdrom and floopy mount on boot up, but then there are locks on the files in the root/mnt/ folder and I can't get anything read on them. I notice the light on the floopy drive flashing when I click the folder, but nothing on the cdrom.

I tryed using sndconfig and my card was not supported so I know for sure I won't get any sound, I don't mind that, but I would really like to use my modem and cdrom.

As far as the kernel is concerned, I think I'll wait until I know my way around Linux. I guess I was hoping for something like a windows .exe file to make things all better.

If you can shed any light I would be most grateful.

BC

Before you give up on your soundcard try these sites:
http://www.opensound.com
and
http://www.alsa-project.org