Linux Newbie - Xandros 3 - No Sound or USB Recognition

[stephenj]

Hi All,

I've just been introduced to the world of Linux via a free (on cover of a PC magazine) distribution of Xandros 3. I managed to get it to double boot with my existing Windows XP Pro SP2 and was initially quite impressed.

I'm only a 'basic' Windows user - so I have to make use of all of the automatic features that finally (usually) work under that OS (e.g. sound, drivers, etc.)

I was especially pleased with Xandros in that it immediately recognised my Internet ADSL connection and home network and my (serially ported) Laser printer.

NOW FOR MY PROBLEMS (I will provide as much information regarding my system as I can, below ... some (a lot?) may be irrelevant and some, not included. Please direct me as to how I may locate the information you need if I have not included it, below. (Remember, I'm a newbie excited about the idea of learning and using Linux):

1. I cannot get sound via Xandros.

I don't know if this is to do with drivers (availablity). I've tried Googling, etc. but my lack of knowledge prevents my being able to find any really useful information. Could my lack of sound be due to
my not having the correct driver? Is such a driver available? if so, how do I acquire it and how do I install it within Xandros? (Here I would need really straightforward (ungeeky) instructions, thanks.) If my supposition regarding drivers is incorrect, can anyone provide me with other information which may rectify the situation?

2. My USB devices are not being recognised within Xandros.

I have an HP Deskjet 930C printer (USB1) and have installed 'Foomatic + hpijs Location: /dev/null. (This is the information shown in Xandros, but just now, when attempting to locate it again (for verification) I couldn't find where this was stated. Presently, I can't access the 'Control Centre' - it seizes up - perhaps this is where I obtained that information.)

I also have two USB 2 hard drives attached to the PC. Neither of those is being recognised by Xandros.

So again, are these driver issues? If so (or if not, for that matter) would someone be so kind as to suggest how I may overcome these problems.

3. This is not actually a current problem - rather one of anticipation. I find 'help' within Xandros rather arcane when compared to the Help and Support in Windows. Not that I am saying that the Windows solution is anywhere near satisfactory. (Indeed, on occasions, one could even say it is a misnomer.) Consequently, I believe that I will encounter many frustrations as I try to get to use Linux, efficiently. (I still do get numerous frustrations with Windows, of course.) So, in anticipation, I would like to thank all of those people who are kind enough to take the time to help people like me come into the world of Linux. In the future, I hope I will be able to do the same. Please bear with me if I have already asked and in the future will ask 'stupid' questions. (Any other (polite, please) suggestions as to how I may 'get up to speed' with Xandros would be appreciated.)

OK, now the information regarding my PC. I got most of this by going back into Windows and referring to System Information. As my (lack of) knowledge precludes some discernment on my part, much of it might be irrelevant to the Linux OS (repetitious) and therefore of little or no use to you.

Processor: Intel 3000Mhz

BIOS Version/Date: Award Software, Inc. ASUS P4S800MX ACPI BIOS 1010. 2/09/2004

IRQ 20 Microsoft ACPI - Compliant System

IRQ 20 SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller

IRQ 16 Gigabyte RADEON 9200SE SERIES

Sound Device
Name: SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Manufacturer: Analog Devices, Inc.
I/O Port: 0X0000FD00-0X0000FDff
I/O Port: 0X0000FC80-0X0000FCFF
IRQ Channel: IRQ 18

Storage: IDE (NTFS)

USB
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controler PCI/VEN_1039&DEV_7001&SUBSYS_80871043&REV_0F/3&61A AA01&0&18

USB Root Hub USB\ROOT_HUB\4&28CECBB2&0
USB Printing Support USB\VID_03F0&PID_1204\MY06D1C0HtJJ
HP DeskJet 930C/932C/935C USBPRINT\HEWLETT-PACKARDDESKJET_930C\6&11AD366E&0&USB001
SiS7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7001&SUBSYS_80871043&rev_00\3&61a a a01&0&1B
USB Root Hub USB\ROOT_HUB20\4&3905ca30&0
USB Mass Storage Device USB\VID_04B4&PID_6830\D
ST330083 1A USB Device USBSTOR\DISK7VEN_ST330083&PROD_1A7REV-0000\d&0
USB Mass Storage Device USB\VID_04B4&PID_6830\DEF108144CF6
ST316002 1A USB Device USBSTOR/DISK&VEN_ST316002&PROD_1A&REV_\DEF108144CF6&0

Please accept my apologies for this long post and I hope that this does not put you off from trying to help me.

Regards,

Stephen

[sham69]

I'd try the Xandros forums........quite helpful

[stephenj]

Hi sham69,

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll give it a go, now.