network cards, internet, and other fun things!

[Space Boy]

Let be be the first to admit that I am a linux moron.

That being said I have finally got linux (mandrake 8.0) and w2k dual booting (using lilo). That is all well and good, but now I have to try and get linux all set up so that everything works.

So my first question is what is a good resource on the net for linux questions? I'm sure Ill have many and don't want to keep bothering you guys :)

Is the linux source code on the CDs I used to install mandrake? It seems I might need this in order to compile drivers for my network cards.

That being said, is there any other trick to getting the darned network cards to work? One is used for the dear sweet cable modem, the other is used to share the connection with my roommates. Will this be a problem? Should I configure the network cards using the mandrake config tool? or would going hardcore in an xterm be an easier option?

I suppose that is my primary concern right now, since I don't like having to starve my roommates of their internet while I dabble in linux.

Thanks for the help!
Aarron

[bdg1983]

So my first question is what is a good resource on the net for linux questions?

Certainly not here. ;)

I would suggest you have a look through a few of the forums (General, Networking, Hardware and Technical Support) as setting up ethernet in Mandrake 8 has been a hot topic lately.

Is you nic detected and up and running? Try ifconfig (at the commandline) and post what you get.

[DMR]

If your NICs aren't supported by your distro and you have compile, you should find the necessary kernel sources on the CDs. As for as the rest of the setup, if time is an issue, try using the GUI config tool first. If that doesn't work:

A) Search the forum archives for previous posts concerning your model of NIC; network/cable modem setup has been covered many times here before.
B) Check out the Ethernet and Cable Modem HOWTOs at the LDP (http://www.linuxdoc.org).
C) Repost here with your system specs and specific problems, and we'll help you sort it out.


- damn Mike, you beat me to it... ;)

[ 22 June 2001: Message edited by: DMR ]