Ubuntu+drivers

Lab_Mouse

Hi stupid question but I have just installed ubuntu for the first time just to see a linux os up and running(looks good too I have to admit)and cant connect to the internet.I take it I will have to download linux drivers for my wireless card and also my graffix cards?

bman

Lab_Mouse wrote: »

Hi stupid question but I have just installed ubuntu for the first time just to see a linux os up and running(looks good too I have to admit)and cant connect to the internet.I take it I will have to download linux drivers for my wireless card and also my graffix cards?

I'd say try to get the wireless working first as all other drivers are easier to set up once you have a network connection. Do you know what make/model your wifi card is?

Edit: If you don't know what it is this may help:

lspci | grep -i Wireless

Lab_Mouse

its a belkin,can root out the manual later to find exact model.

How do i enter that into ubuntu's command line?

Any other problems I might face?

Thanks

bman

Yep, enter it on the command line (Somewhere in your application menu there'll be a terminal launcher).

If it hasn't discovered it automatically then you'll have to either download the drivers you need or upgrade your kernel to one that supports your card. Worry about that when we get to it.

Just as a matter of interest, have you checked your NetworkManager app to see that your card hasn't already been recognised. It'll look like a network symbol (2 computers) in your task bars notifications area. Click there and see if you can view wireless networks.

Also, try

ifconfig

from the command line too and post that up here.

Lab_Mouse

Thanks Bman
Will probably be late tonight/tomorrow before I get around to doing all that.

Will get back to you and let you know how I get on(and more to the point probably with more issues!:))

Thanks again

mehmeh12

Lab_Mouse wrote: »

Thanks Bman
Will probably be late tonight/tomorrow before I get around to doing all that.

Will get back to you and let you know how I get on(and more to the point probably with more issues!:))

Thanks again

If the above does not work try using linux mint 7. I tried ubuntu 8.04 LTS the other day and it couldnt connect to the wireless or ethernet. Works for me on linux mint though.

pickarooney

When I installed Xubuntu Karmic on a laptop the other day the proprietary drivers icon appeared in the notification area and offered a Belkin wireless driver.

Lab_Mouse

Didnt need to load a driver,just had to use network manager:ofeel like a bit of a thick but hey you live and learn:o:o

thanks all

bman

Lab_Mouse wrote: »

Didnt need to load a driver,just had to use network manager:ofeel like a bit of a thick but hey you live and learn:o:o

thanks all

No problem. Great that it worked out so easily for you in the end.

mcmoustache

Just so you know Lab_Mouse, most things won't require drivers.
If you're running Ubuntu or any other well-known distro (distro = linux "brand"), you usually just need to plug in your printer, webcam or whatever usb device you like.
To put it a bit technically for a sec, the drivers are already in the kernel (kernel = the base programs that interact with hardware). What this means is that you already have the drivers for the most common types of peripherals.

If something doesn't work, post the problem in the ubuntu forums. People might be friendlier here though!

Best of luck using linux and if one distro doesn't completely suit you, try any of the top 10 ones at http://distrowatch.com/ .

Lab_Mouse

i think I heard(or misheard:D)that linux versions could be nightmares to getting stuff working with it due to drivers etc so instead of having a quick look around Ubuntu ,i panicked and posted here.

I always use open source when possible,I think its great that people code software that is useful and give it out free(have a bit of c++ coding under my belt so am well aware of goes into to getting some code up and running).

Only reason I use windows(apart from being raised on it:D)is for my gaming.As in the games just wonjt be released for linux.

Gonna poke around under the hood of ubuntu just to get a proper feel for it and probably look at some of the other versions before I settle on a 'permanent' install.

So yes you might see more posts from me!

edit:just had a look at that link mcmoustache--christ thats some amount of linux versions!!although I think might give ubuntu christian a miss(position number 67):)

mcmoustache

I recommend sticking to the mainstream versions in the beginning. Opensuse, mandriva, ubuntu/mint, pclinuxos. They have lots of support online and they are aimed at everyday use. Just pop in a live cd and check if all your hardware is working. In my experience, audio, wireless and graphics can sometimes be troublesome but you'll know straight away with a live cd.