I Can't find a linux distro that works on my pc

[danthemanvsqz]

Here are the specs:
Compaq Presario SR2150NX
Celeron 3.46GHz
1.50 GB Ram
NVidia GeForce 8500GT
Realtek RTL8139/810x Built in NIC
Att DSL connected to a buffalo WHR-G54S router

Trying to run a dual boot with Vista. I've tried puppy (no network), tinyme (won't install scsi problem), dsl (won't install?) & Ubuntu (no network). I think I may have a problem with my NIC. Please help I really hate Microsoft.

[MikeTbob]

Hiya danthemanvsqz,
Welcome to the forums.
First of all, you need to realize that just because Networking or Video doesn't work on a fresh install, doesn't mean it "Doesn't Work" or "Didn't Install". Linux is pretty much like Windows in a few areas, Setting up Networking in Linux is required after installation just like Windows.
You don't seem to have any particularly foreign hardware. The GeForce 8500GT, may require some fiddling to get it working and the Realtek RTL8139, is a very common card for Linux.
I would suggest that you install Ubuntu or whichever you like best, and then post back here with any issues you encounter, rather than just keep install multiple distros.

[danthemanvsqz]

I have tried to trouble shoot Ubuntu, I read several post in which I tried these trouble shooting steps:
- sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
code blacklist 8139cp
- sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
added line of code "pnpbios=off pnpacpi=off" & " noacpi pnpacpi=off"
- gksu gedit /etc/network/interfaces
added code "iface eth0 inet dhcp"

I started a new post asking for help but the post hit a dead end. I am running out of ideas please help.

[MikeTbob]

Where's your other post? I'll at least look at it and see if I could pitch in hopefully.
EDIT: Why are you blacklisting the 8139cp? I have them both running (8139too & 8139cp) without any apparent ill effects.

[danthemanvsqz]

[ubuntu] Please help I can't connect to Internet - Ubuntu Forums

As far as the blacklist, I read it on one of the threads but when it didn't work I remarked the line.

[MikeTbob]

Ok I read your other thread, is the correct module loading at all?
Use the lsmod command to find out

lsmod |grep 8139

If you get no results then try inserting the module with

modprobe 8139too && modprobe 8139cp

After this, post the output of this command

ifconfig eth0

Are you trying these changes from the network tool or are you using the command line?

[danthemanvsqz]

dan@dans-desktop:~$ lsmod | grep 8139
8139too 27520 0
8139cp 24704 0
mii 6400 2 8139too,8139cp
dan@dans-desktop:~$ ifconfig eth0
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:19:21:b0:87:4b
inet addr:192.168.11.2 Bcast:192.168.11.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::219:21ff:feb0:874b/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 B) TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)
Interrupt:21 Base address:0xb800

I am using the terminal cmd prompt to execute these instructions. When I try to use the network tool to configure the NIC I get this error: "The interface does not exist check that it is correctly typed and that it is correctly supported by your system"

[danthemanvsqz]

Problem Solved!!! I pluged the dsl modem directly into the machine and noticed that the NIC light was off. So I inspected the BIOS and found that compaq had a WOL power managemet enabled on the NIC so I disabled that & presto I'm online. I have a feeling that WOL has something to do with Windows. I hate microsoft a little more now. Thank you folks for all your help it was greatly appreciated.
-Dan

[MikeTbob]

AWESOME
And thanks for posting the answer