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I attempted to switch from Microsoft Vista to Linux the other day. I don't know anything about Linux other than the fact that, about a year or so ago, I "easily" loaded a version (Xandros) onto a PC that was formerly occupied by Microsoft XP. Last year, the setup went smoothly, the new OS recognized the sound card, video, NIC and other hardware. In less than an hour I was on the internet, listening to music and printing stuff on my printer.

This year, on a different PC, the story was not so nice. Xandros Linux seemed to load nicely, but I can't get the "network" to, umm network. It doesn't seem that the OS recognizes the NIC and I can't find any NIC drivers that work with my NIC and Linux.

The PC is a relatively new Dell XPS 210 with the NIC integrated onto the motherboard. Dell has "Windows" drivers, but if they are compatible with Linux, I have no idea how to make them congrue.

I chatted with a tech from Dell and searched the net for hours using the Google searchgod, but am now banging my head against the wall.

I don't understant how trinity could learn to fly a helicopter in a few seconds and I can't find a NIC driver (if that is my problem) after hours searching. If Linux is going to take over the world, there's got to be a better way to help rtards like me.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Update: This is incredible. Less than 5 hours after I (an obscure nobody) posts a cry for help to an unknown bulletin board, someone from the linux community replies with great suggestions about how to and where to go for help.

Labels: linux