I installed mandrake 10 useing 3 discs in the pack and began going through the configure menu, the modem was recognized but unable to be configured.I somehow got stuck in the menue and could not get out, I ended up turning it off in dsperation.( I Know your not supposed to do that) When I rebooted at the end It came up with
localhost login . I put in my usermame and then password as requested and it showed [jim@localhost jim]$
with a pulsing curser after the dollar sign (maybe it wants a payrise) and I've no idea what to put in next.
As you can probably tell I'm like a cow with a bike where computers are concerned.

Jim you have got you self logged in to the system, since it is in the user mode you will have to start the gui mode type startx at the command prompt may be that might help.

This is normal. read (and try scanmodem)
http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/
http://start.at/modem
If you need help with the modem create a new thread
(but have a look around, somebody must have had that problem before,
also technion is very good with help)

This is steep learning curve. Also look at mandriva documentation
(pdf and html on their site) for general linux newbie material,
finally in LQ bookmark search for newbie

Consider upgrading from 10 to 2006 or 2007
(you will have no security patches etc, less support for 10.)

thanks to steve and emanuel for their help.I will look up some mandriva documentation and get a more modern distribution. I tried reloading the the entire program from the 3 disc's and everything appeared to go as it should but when I clicked on the final REBOOT button at the end the computer appeared to go through the reboot but then sinks into a comma and ignores everything.I notice going through the reboot that there is one failed "whatever it is" called Interface ethO. this always shows up as failed.

eth0, eth1, eth2 are the device names for the ethernet card(s)
Failed means it tried to shut down the interface, did not manage
Not a big deal (but maybe it did not even start, hence newer distro is better)

what is the last message before comma?
re comma, does <alt><ctrl><del> reboot the machine at that stage?
Does the power it turned off by the pc?

Well I wimped out and took the computer to an expert who fixed it and told me the computer had a Radeon 7200 grahfics card added to it and the program was not configured to it. (I think thats what he said.)He also updated and put a PDF manuel on the desk top so hopefully I may become a "Linux Pilot" eventually. Thanks to the people who took the time to help with my dum questions.