Almost There!!!!!

[Kevin Brown]

Since your question seems to focus only on how to get connected via the Qwest
Megabit DSL, I'll just try and do that here.

Qwest uses DHCP to assign IPs and DNS entries.  So when setting up the NIC, just
have it use DHCP, then you don't need to worry about knowing those settings.

Now that the system itself is up and running you shouldn't have to reboot when
making changes to your network config, so...  let's try a few commands.  What is
the output of:

ifconfig

If you see eth0 and your system only has one NIC, then it is coming up.  Since
Mandrake is based off RedHat you should be able to run netconf to configure the
nic, or look in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts for a file called ifcfg-eth0.  As
root open that file up and see what is inside.  For me it looks like:

DEVICE=eth0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
ONBOOT=yes

Before making changes to that file turn the interface off by issuing:

ifdown eth0

then make the changes and bring it back up:

ifup eth0

then run ifconfig and see if it came up.

> Well, I set the new system (HP) up with Mandrake 8.1!
> All seems to have gone rather well I think.  I have no sound and no DSL
> connection though.   (no laughing!     cherish the small victories!)  I am a
> total rookie at this stuff.  SO I now differ to the "GU-RU's" out there who
> know this stuff called Linux.
> 
> Actually I am very happy about how my first experience has gone.  I am ready
> to kick the dog in frustration though.  But, to expect it to have gone any
> smoother, being a novice, would have been unrealistic.
> 
> So, now for the questions......
> 
> First I have the Qwest megabit connection.  It uses Ethernet cards through a
> hub that then ties into some new fandangled box of theirs to allow for DSL.
> The HP is using a NetGear FA311 ver.B Ethernet card.  The System recognizes
> that the card is present.  When setting up the Internet connection (using the
> handy dandy utility)  I have several options.  modem, ISDN, ADSL, And
> LAN(which it says right next to the LAN something to the effect of "Ethernet
> card detected")  I go through the process, Although I must admit I don't know
> what these IP addresses it asks for are ( but it does say they are optional),
> and it finally says time to reboot.  So, with great joy I reboot.  After
> waiting for it to "whir" alas the machine is done, and I still have no
> Internet connection.
> 
> Am I suppose to Mount Something?(careful how you respond to that)
> 
> DO I need those IP things?
> 
> Any help at all would be great,  Please bear in mind though,  The Linux
> machine is solely Linux, I am writing to you on one of "uncle Billies
> machines"  so downloading and transferring files is not an option, or is it?
> 
> We'll deal with sound later, or we could do it now.  Not sure what is going on
> there.  Says sound is not installed, or something like that.
> 
> Well I know I must sound frustrated, and actually I AM! but hey "there is no
> victory without a struggle!"  Any of your help would be greatly appreciated(
> by the dog especially!)  I believe from what I've seen of "slim Bill" that
> Linux is the way to go, but it is ruff going from "Plug-N-Pray" to "What's
> this IP thing!"  I shall endeavor forward to learn this new technology though.
> 
> Thanks all, and look forward to meeting you on the fifteenth.  By the way,
> where at GCC is the meeting?
> 
> you ever wondering why guys like me ask so many questions.....DAAAHHH did it
> again.
> 
> Thanks,
> Stew
>