Total Newbie Ethernet Card Installation

[JasenTDavis]

Hi, my name is Jasen T. Davis. I've been using Windows for nearly a decade and am quite competent at installing software, configuring hardware, building PC's, etc.

I used Windows 2000 for the longest time, until I finally had to make the switch to XP when Vista came out and Microsoft decided not to support Windows 2000. It's all going to be downhill from there, so I decided to make the leap to Linux. I have heard great things about it, but I also know that it takes some serious intelligence and time to learn. I'm looking for a more challenging computer experience, so here I am.

I bought and downloaded Elive (a combination of Debian and Enlightenment) and I have it up and running. It looks great and does everything I need it to do.

However, I have no idea how to install the ethernet card. I am using a D-Link DFE 530tx+ card, and I have ran a command that shows that the computer can see the card. However, when I try to activate it the computer says it can't.

I figure that I need to install the driver. I've downloaded one, but a) it only shows how to install it in Redhat and b) I really don't know what I am doing, from there.

I know that I am a total newb when it comes to this, but once I get the computer up on the Internet I can start to handle the rest.

Can anyone help me? I would greatly appreciate it!

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Jasen

[geniuz]

Hi, welcome to the forums, glad to see another windows user making the great step to "enlightenment"
I was there once too...

Usually when installing Debian, the installer automatically searches for a network card and gets the proper drivers and configuration for it...

Anyway, exactly what output do you get when you try to "activate" the card ?
Have you tried running "ifconfig eth0 up" as root user ?

[JasenTDavis]

Hey, what's up! Thank you for your response.

First things first, since the card was an old one I had stuffed in a drawers years ago, I checked it on my other Windows PC and nope, it's dead. I need to buy another one.

Plus, after looking at the option, I realize that I prefer Debian to Elive. Elive is, well, there's things I don't like about it. The OS feels to hammered together with glue and staples sticking out. Debian seems well-supported and more pure. I've already downloaded and burned the first three cd's.

I've been reading about the mount command in Unix, so I will be better equipped for my next installation.

Thank you again for such a quick response. I'll let you know how Debian (and a new ethernet card) treats me. I have a lot to learn, and I'm thankful for this forum.

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Jasen

[geniuz]

Ok, well I wish you good luck, I think debian is easy enough to install...