linux drivers

[purevil]

I need some help. I'm a total Linux noob. I have Red Hat 9. I want to make a dual boot on my p.c.
I need to keep windows xp " i like itunes too much to lose xp " I tried to install linux and windows before. I had problems because it corrupted system "well not really it just made windows unbootable" I found a big big problem when i did install Linux. It would find my NIC but that is the problem. I only have dial up because there is no broad band here i live in the sticks. Linux would not find my modem. I'll give you everything on my modem in hopes that someone will know what drivers i need to get linux on the net
I have a agere modem the windows driver is 2.1.30.0
I looked to see if i could find it but there was a few there and i dont want to try to install linux and have a  win boot problem and not be able to get my modem driver. I have no problem taking the rick of making a dual boot system i do have a problem not being able to get on the net and having to wipe my hard drive and reinstall windows just to get a driver
i know someone out there can help me. I know there is alot of people on this site that knows a hell of alot about linux and my simple problem should be nothing for you guys
Thx pure

[preacher]

Hello pureevil. It is likely that you have a winmodem and linux support of non hardware based modems (winmodems) is sketchy to say the least. At least one distribution that I know of has extended support for this type of modem. Check out Mandrake Linux 9.1. Also check out these url's if you arent interested in Mandrake. http://www.linmodems.org and
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Winmodems-and-Linux-HOWTO.html

[Calum]

simply install linux and don't erase windows. this way you will lose nothing and gain a linux system, even if it can't connect to the net.

my advice if you are a linux newbie is don't fart around with all that winmodem crap, just buy a real (external serial port) modem that connects to your computer via the serial port of your computer. all modems of this description work without fail in linux and in windows.

use the instructions at oldos.org/rhl.php i'd say, and use the 3cd install set of red hat linux download edition, available from linuxiso.org as well as many other places.

good luck and enjoy.

[preacher]

quote:Originally posted by Calum:
simply install linux and don't erase windows. this way you will lose nothing and gain a linux system, even if it can't connect to the net.

my advice if you are a linux newbie is don't fart around with all that winmodem crap, just buy a real (external serial port) modem that connects to your computer via the serial port of your computer. all modems of this description work without fail in linux and in windows.

use the instructions at oldos.org/rhl.php i'd say, and use the 3cd install set of red hat linux download edition, available from linuxiso.org as well as many other places.

good luck and enjoy.

I dont reccommend Red Hat because it will cease to be supported soon, however there are quite a few great linux distros out there that you can find on linuxiso.org.

Once again if you dont wish to change modems, check out Mandrake Linux, because of its excellent winmodem support and its ability to non destructively resize NTFS partitions. Its really a great distro for beginners too and will continue to be supported until Mandrake goes bankrupt.

[purevil]

Thx everyone. Now I just need to find someone that can dl the disks for mandrake. Remember DSL is not here in the sticks. You guys/girls are sure that mandrake is better than redhat for noobs? Cause when  I did install redhat it didnt seem to be to hard of and os to learn. I do not only have experience in one os. I also use mac os x so im not in that bad of shape when it comes to learning something new.
Ok once again thx for the help everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

[preacher]

quote:Originally posted by purevil:
Thx everyone. Now I just need to find someone that can dl the disks for mandrake. Remember DSL is not here in the sticks. You guys/girls are sure that mandrake is better than redhat for noobs? Cause when  I did install redhat it didnt seem to be to hard of and os to learn. I do not only have experience in one os. I also use mac os x so im not in that bad of shape when it comes to learning something new.
Ok once again thx for the help everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Hat is great for noobs as well, however Red Hat will not be supported officially anymore after April. There will be no more new versions of Red Hat linux for us personal computer users, only for enteprise. This is why I suggest Mandrake. That and the fact that it has superior winmodem support, which seems to be what you are looking for. Also check out Lycoris, Suse, or any of the other distros at http://www.linuxiso.org.