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Thread ID: 40823	2003-12-19 09:29:00	Linux - Internet - installed linux, how do I get internet?	Ender (5019)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
201767	2003-12-19 09:29:00	I just bought the 3 cd RedHat Linux distribution pre-downloaded and burnt from a computer shop. I installed it happily on an old computer (150MHz, 64MB RAM, 10 GB hard drive) successfully. It runs, albeit slowly, all is as it should be. I amuse myself with the exploration a new OS for several days. The layout, the programs, some basic terminal commands (directory navigation, file copying, moving, deleting). Then I decided I would try to connect it up to the internet. Don't give me generic dial-up instructions yet. ----------------------- I have 256k cable internet from Saturn(TelstraClear). It goes from the cable modem to a broadband router. 2 internet devices attached to the router work (Windows comp, Xbox console(XBOX LIVE)) This is where it starts getting messy. I could have strayed from the right path anywhere from here. --------------------- The old computer I installed Linux onto had no network card - I bought a new one from DSE. DSE catalogue number XH7975 www.dse.co.nz It came with a CD with loads of different OS drivers - including for Linux. The Linux driver installation instructions tell me to look for a file named rtl8139.c in the directory /lib/modules/?K./net (Where "?K." = your Linux Kernel Version #). Found the directory, lots of other network drivers, no rtl8139.c though. As it wasn't there, the Linux network card driver installation instructions told me that I would have to download and compile the driver myself from www.scyld.com This is where it starts getting very messy. Reading more of my post may or may not be useful in finding a solution. ----------------- I did everything the site said, downloaded the driver. Then I am told to compile the driver into a module. To do this I am supposed to use the compile code at the bottom of the driver file. At the bottom of rtl8139 is the text: /* * Local variables: * compile-command: "make KERNVER=`uname -r` rtl8139.o" * compile-cmd: "gcc -DMODULE -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -O6 -c rtl8139.c" * cardbus-compile-command: "gcc -DCARDBUS -DMODULE -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -O6 -c rtl8139.c -o realtek_cb.o -I/usr/src/pcmcia/include/" * c-indent-level: 4 * c-basic-offset: 4 * tab-width: 4 * End: */ I don't know what to do with this. Entering any of the above text with or without "compile-command" in front of it in the Terminal comes up with a load of different error messages. The first one - make KERNVER=`uname -r` rtl8139.o - does soemthing - then has an error on the second line. The ones with gcc in front just have the error no such command. --------------- Now, I happen to have discovered in my internet meanderings searching for a solution to my troubles that GCC stands for GNOME Compiler Collection, and is a program for compiling source code. That is all I know. A search on my computer finds some different gcc files, but as the gcc command doesn't work I figure they cannot be enough. GCC can be downloaded from http://gcc.gnu.org/ However, it too seems to need some kind of command line compilation before it can be installed. IS ALL LINUX LIKE THIS OR SHOULD I GIVE UP NOW? As perhaps you can see, posting a request for help is not something I am doing right away without trying anything first. It is a last resort. Hopefully some help will come of it. Thankyou, -Ender	Ender (5019)
201768	2003-12-19 09:44:00	Linux already has drivers for the Realtek 8139 series of network cards builtin. The kernel module goes by 2 names either rtl8139.0 or 8139too.o. At the prompt type lsmod and press enter. Look for one of the modules I listed above. you should find one of them, and if you do you don't need to compile a module for it.	b1naryb0y (3)
201769	2003-12-19 09:50:00	Setting up an internet connection should be quite straight forward using the Redhat tool redhat-config-network (type this at a root command prompt window with the GUI going) - or find System Settings->network from the GUI menu. JohnD	JohnD (509)
201770	2003-12-19 10:06:00	Yes, give up now :D The RTL8139 is a pretty standard network card. I'm surprised your Linux didn't find it (its a pci one isn't it). First of all, what Linux distro is it? I just had a nose at the dse website and see that they don't supply the .o file for the RTL8139, so I assume it must be included with most distro's. I just had a look on my Red Hat 7.1 system and all I could find was 8139too.o. Maybe the names have been changed at some point. Once you get the card working it should be pretty straightforward to get it on the internet. Have the network settings "Allocate an IP automatically" and plug it into the router (or hub) and away she should go.	Dolby Digital (160)
201771	2003-12-19 10:08:00	Oops, I can't read, its RedHat	Dolby Digital (160)
201772	2003-12-19 21:36:00	what version of rdhat r u using?	ilikelinux (1418)
201773	2003-12-20 00:14:00	The version shouldnt terribly matter. There has been redhat-config tools since before 7.x IIRC, and I dont even know of Library's that still have 7.x, all are 8 or higher. Run redhat-config-network as suggested by JohnD and it should pick it all up for you. Remember to stop and start network services from within redhat-config-network after making changes (No restart needed ;-)). You _may_ need to open a root terminal and follow b1naryb0y's instructions and run lsmod If you can find anything 8139, then you're fine. If not then run: modprobe rtl8139 This is the older and more "standard" of the drivers. You should be taken straight back to a bash prompt. If you get errors, then it didnt work. If "nothing happens" then its fine and network drivers are loaded. Else, you can try: modprobe 8139too This is the newer driver for RealTek 8139-based cards. Let us know how you get on. Chill.	Chilling_Silently (228)
201774	2003-12-28 04:36:00	It works! It works it works it works it works! I must say that I didn't expect it to. I found the rtl8139too.o driver, which was all very well and good. Then I ran the redhat-config-network thing, which I had found previously from the GUI menus, and did not expect it to work. Why? Well actually this time I did get further, first off because I knew the name of my network card (I knew the name because I had one) - the rtl8139 series - from the drop-down menu, and that was all very well and good too. The next screen was where I thought it wouldn't work. A whole lot of DNS and server and local settings which I left blank. But I finished the setu , clicked activate, and when I opened Mozilla it worked! Thanks for your help - what I needed to know was that I did in fact have the driver (different name) and did not need to download, compile, and run a driver from the maker website as a new module.... The internet works, Linux is cool, and now I will continue in my pursuit of Linuxly knowledge. Speaking of which.... I have another problem...... Window Managers. A new thread: pressf1.pcworld.co.nz Help there too? Thanks -Ender	Ender (5019)
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