Problems detecting and running my hardware

[Spartan]

Hello all!
I am very new to Linux (installed it 2 days ago) and since that time I have been very impressed as to what I believe is a superior operating system to Windows and Mac in almost every way imaginable. However, I can't configure everything right at all. To any Linux gurus on this site (few who are since you are not newbies) I'd appreciate it if you could help me set up some of my devices. Before we get down to it here's my System Specs:
Pentium II 300 Mhz
192 MB RAM (PC-100)
10x Pioneer DVD
4x4x32 ACER CD Writer
ATI All-in-Wonder 16 MB AGP 2X Card
JTS Champ 1.3GB HardDrive (which Linux currently resides on)
NDC SOHOWare Network Card
Yamaha OPL-3 SAX SoundCard
Some stupid winmodem that's not supported

1) My ATI All in Wonder 16 MB AGP 2X Graphics Card works under Linux however Linux detects it as an ATI RAGE 128 card. Thus, as a result, TuxRacer is not working (and I so want to see TuxRacer in all it's glory!) So it's there but tis not there.
It's also got a TV Tuner and DVD support neither of which I can get working either. :(
Any suggestions?

2) Next my Yamaha OPL -3 SAX sound card isn't working right either. I am going to try and fix it myself but help here too would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

3) My NIC(eth0) isn't working right either. It says it's a Macronix card when Linux detects it, but windows says it's a SOHOware card. I am on an @HOME connection and can't seem to get internet working. :confused:

4) Last, but not least, I can't seem to get my DVDs to work (or play) either. Can anyone help me there either? :(

I am sorry for taking up so much of your time, but a response for anyone one of these issues would be greatly appreciated and would help me a lot. :)

Enthusiatic Newbie Linux user,(Newbux)
Spartan :D

[digital_spawn]

let me see if i can help you out ....


:eek: are you actually using 192mb ram that you got... gnu/linux does not detect more than 64mb ram - in your /etc/lilo.conf file use the lines "append=192m" to use the total 192mb ram.

use the command "Xconfigurator" while in the text mode ... to configure your vdo-card. its always better to give Xconfigurator the actual specs than letting it to probe. ( by the way you can start your linux box in the text mode by issuing "linux 3" at the lilo: prompt)

:) yamaha opl-3sax should work fine, use the command sndconf (in text mode) to install your sound card .

:) linux gives you good documentation - read this one for your cd-writer CD Writing HOWTO (http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/CD-Writing-HOWTO.html)

:) and for your nic read - Networking Howto (http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Networking-Overview-HOWTO.html)

.... it may sound like a lot of reading but it always pays if you read good documentation.


:D :D i hate those winmodems (... poorly supported under linux ) - try LinModems (http://www.linmodems.org) and see if you can put it to work)

:D yes,dvd's works in linux... suse sells a dvd based linux box (... only heard, never used).. for playing dvd's in linux tryDeCSS (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/DeCSS/)... i dont' possess one so never tried ..

thats it

[Spartan]

Hey there!
Thanks for the Help! I tried the Xconfigurator to change my Video Card. It unfortunately didn't work. Here's the story. Linux recognizes the Card as ATI Rage 128. The x86 drivers I have before the changes are: SVGA
r128
The x86 drivers after changes that don't work are: mach64
ATI
When I go to test the card the computer shows a flashing underscore in the top left hand corner and the cursor becomes a solid gray block on a black screen...it just doesn't work and I can't get back into Linux system. I have to reboot.
Any comments? Suggestions? Help Anyone? Please!?! :(

Thanks
-Spartan

[bdg1983]

Which distro and version are you using?

Search for you video card at www.xfree86.org (http://www.xfree86.org) to find out which Xserver it should be using.

Is your ethernet card actually working? Try pinging localhost from the commandline. Cablemodems are a popular topic here, so I would suggest you do a search here for cablemodems. You could try having a look here http://www.cablemodeminfo.com/linbasics.x.html-ssi also.

DVD's I believe are supported in the more recent distro versions.

[nholowat]

First off, depending on what you're using is where you want to be. Memory is no problem in the new releases, I use RedHat 7.0 and it found all 128 Megs, no problem. The video card depends on if you're using 3.3.5/6 or 4.0/or higher. Earlier release you had to define more than 64 megs... and the 2.4 kerenl will recognize more memory than you will ever have.
What I'm trying to say, it all depends on the release and the distribution.... Good luck and have a great day...

[Spartan]

Thanks for all your help guys. I plan to try out more things tonight after work. The distro I am using is Mandrake 7.2 with XFree86 4.0.1.

Thanks again
-Spartan

Ps -> Anyone know if the gcc command works in Mandrake?

[Aikidoka]

The ATI All-in-wonder card you have has an ATI Rage 128 chipset. The xserver you want is xserver-rage128 or look for Rage128 or ATI128, that's the right one. You should be able to run XF86Setup to set it up or xf86config.

[Spartan]

Hey All I am having troubles compiling some code name tulip.c
Can you help me?
I am using Mandrake system to configure my eth0 card. I need to make tulip.o right? How do I do it when it gives me errors?? HELP!
-Spartan

[Aikidoka]

Post the error, the more information you give the easier it is to get help.