New with Linux, need easy help!

[TrentArmitage]

Hi, I use Ubuntu 10.4 or 10.3 (How do I find out)

I'm trying to install the drivers for my wireless card (I don't know what hardware I use)

I'm running on a Compaq Laptop 6735s and I was told to use this
This site tells me to pick either a 32 bit or 64 bit, I don't know which one I am. Can someone help me guide me through the installation so I can run off my wi-fi internet?

Thanks!

[jayd512]

Hello and Welcome!

There is no 10.3... so most likely 10.04.
As far as getting drivers, look in your menu for System -> Administration -> Hardware Drivers. You should see something there for your wireless. If not, look to the Network Manager icon in the top right corner. You should see any open networks there.

[hatebreed]

You could open up a shell and type ifconfig and see if it sees your card loaded and if it has an ip or not. lspci will list all your pci devices in the system and will tell what wireless card you have.

[jcathcart]

I think that even if you are 64 bit capable you might want to use the 32 bit version if you are new to linux. That's what I am doing even though I've used linux on and off for a while now.

I went to install the 64 bit version and it had issues accessing the internet during installation so I said screw it. Also the 32 bit version is plenty fast on all of my computers and it just seems more compatible and simple to use than the 64 bit. Unless you are actually going to run a serious server I say stick with 32 bit. It recognized my hardware fine - unlike the 64 bit version.

Anyway, the 32 bit should recognize your wireless card, otherwise search for your cards model number and ubuntu on google. Ex: dellcard2345 ubuntu.

That should come up with some information if anyone else has had a similar problem. If you have 64 bit installed you might want to try 32, even if you just make a dual boot so you can see the difference without deleting either. Anyway, hope you get it working.

[techieMoe]

I've run 64-bit with no issues for a little over a year now, various distributions. I'd highly recommend it, especially if you have or are planning to have more than 4GB of RAM on the machine at some point.

[rokytnji]

Jay is right.

Hi, I use Ubuntu 10.4 or 10.3 (How do I find out)

Open a terminal

cat /proc/version

I don't know what hardware I use)

Go here to find out what is what and then post results here.

Don't install any drivers till you post that info in the first link. You might have a linux driver installed already maybe.

[techieMoe]

Hi, I use Ubuntu 10.4 or 10.3 (How do I find out)

Well that one is definitely easy. There is no such thing as Ubuntu 10.3. The last major version of Ubuntu was 9.10. It follows the month and year of release, so October of 2009 was version 9.10. The newest version is 10.04 (April of 2010).