Completely new to Unix. (Ubuntu)

[ierchov]

Hey guys I just created a partition and installed Ubuntu 8.10 on it.

 

I have never used any form of Linux before, so it was quite a shock, but I was very pleased.

 

I got the basics of Command Prompt (Terminal) and a few commands I though it was quit enjoyable.

 

 

 

However I have a huge problem with drivers. I was not able to connect to the Internet, use my graphics card

 

or even take full advantage of my CPU. My manufacturer (HP) did not provide any drivers for Linux so I was kind of screwed.

 

 

 

My question is does anybody know where to get drivers for Linux or it would be even more useful if somebody knew

 

about my driver specifically :), here are my specs:

 

 

 

Compaq CQ50 - 106CA model

 

Nvidia Geforce 8200M G

 

3GB of DDR2 Ram running at 800 GHz

 

17'inch monitor

 

250 GB harddrive

 

Here's a picture to better explain it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Huge problem I have is that I cannot set my screen resolution above 800x640 (regularly 1280X800).

 

Here's a picture of my Drivers installed on Vista:

 

 

 

 

And if anyone could send a few links my way about Adapting from Windows to Ubuntu, or interesting or useful things about it.

 

Pretty much anything.

 

 

 

Or you could start a flame war about PC vs Linux.

 

 

 

P.S. Can't access my real forum's account so I have to post from this atm.

[eggzs]

Holy [cabbage], your RAM is at 800Ghz!

 

 

 

Don't go to the HP website for drivers, go to the component manufacturer for the appropriate drivers.

 

 

 

eg. Go to www.nvidia.com for graphics card drivers

[compfreak847]

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

 

You can get drivers for linux for the graphics card their.

 

 

 

Basically just google the brand or product name + "linux driver".

[Mamong]

Here.

 

 

 

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_display_ia32_180.22.html

 

 

 

That's the latest Linux driver for the 8200M.

 

 

 

I always found internet can be a real pain on Linux, especially Wireless. You either get lucky and have a supported card, or you tear your hair out getting one to work.

[blade995]

Here.

 

 

 

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_display_ia32_180.22.html

 

 

 

That's the latest Linux driver for the 8200M.

 

 

 

I always found internet can be a real pain on Linux, especially Wireless. You either get lucky and have a supported card, or you tear your hair out getting one to work.

 

 

 

That's one problem that Linux has is with wireless cards. Although Ubuntu 8.10 has gotten a lot better at supporting more cards. It supported my cardbus dlink wireless N card right out of the box. The driver wasn't the best but it did get me connected to download a new one.

[Makoto_the_Phoenix]

Ooh, Atheros. Those ath5k drivers are somewhat slow (top out at 25Mb, intentional gimping), but can be used if you install ubuntu-restricted-modules-generic.

 

 

 

You should also be able to find stable nVidia drivers in that same menu - System > Administration > Hardware Drivers.