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Originally Posted by Ashley Weed
When using Partition Magic to rid of a partition, and start over, I LOST both partitions, as it destroyed my boot loader.
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It's handy to have a Linux live cd around like Slax or Knoppix because if you are hnady with the command line you can use it to fix your master boot record without loosing all of the data on the harddrive.
Ok for your wireless card you should take a look at the following websites.
http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_...nux/Tools.html
http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/
One the first site you will find info on the linux wireless tool package. Most modern distros will already have it installed but more than likely you need to get a driver for your card. There is a good chance that the manufactor of your WiFi card has not written a linux driver. Have no fear! If there is only a Windows driver you CAN use it. The second link will take you to the NdisWrapper homepage. This software will allow you to run Windows WiFi drives on Linux. However, this software is not perfect but it gets the job done, and if you have the option of a native Linux driver take it.
If your network uses WEP, WPA, or some other encryption method you well have a slightly more difficult time configuring you card. Theres alot of information on those two pages and should be enough to get you started.
Ok now that you have internet access I bet you want to install stuff. Well the most common why to install stuff on linux is to do it the programmer way, from the source code. There are five basic steps when installing from source. Few applications differ from these steps and when they do read the read_me file.
Don't forget to unzip the program first.
cd folder_name //Move to the folder with the program in it.
./configure //This command configures the program and prepares it to be installed
make //This compiles the program
su //Become the root user
make install //This places the compiled program files into a folder where all/most of your programs live
If you dislike the command line you may want to use RPM packages. They generally are the easiest ways to install programs and can cause the most frustration. Deepening on your distro you can simply double-click on the RPM file and it will be installed. The main source of frustration with RPMs results from dependencies or other programs/drivers that the program you want to install is reliant upon.
Another way to install programs is dependant on your distro. Most major distros have software that will allow for the easy installation of progams. Gentoo for example has a program which will download/compile/install the requested program and all programs that it is dependant on.
I hope I helped. I would hate to see a potential Linux user take
the easyway out of things rather than explore Linux.