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    #1

    left windows, but still windowed

    hi there,
    i have decided to leap in to the linux world, and found it not as easy as i thought it would be.
    i have installed kubuntu 5.1 on my dell optiplex g150 and all seems fine. however, the display doesnt seem to run smoothly so i was looking for a driver for it. i couldnt find one just yet(its an integrated intel for 815 chipset) but the other thing i could not find is a device manager- style application to be able to manage my drivers and devices. i was looking around and couldnt find anything that looks the part. am i missing something ? is there a 'device manager' like application on kubuntu ? or on linux in general ?
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    #2
    Re: left windows, but still windowed

    Is Kinfocenter what you are looking for?

    Kmenu>System>Kinfocenter
    Noooooooooobie learning.
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      #3
      Re: left windows, but still windowed

      no
      i've seen that and it gives ample info, but i am looking for is a place,if such a place exist, where i can find which device is loaded(kinfo does that), what driver does it use(kinfo doesnt give me this nfo), is the device working properly,is the driver working well with that device, can i update the driver, information lke that. i am a system builder and plan to start ship my computers with Kubuntu/ubuntu but i need to know more about how to resolve basic problems with the OS before i sell them. for example i am shipping many units with a usb adsl modem which does not install on the dell unit, if i cant resolve this simple issue, i wont be able to stand over my machines. any info, or link will be greatly apriciated.
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        #4
        Re: left windows, but still windowed

        The structure of the Linux OS is different to that of Windows, so to have a direct "Device Manager" equivalent is not appropriate. Most "device drivers" are modules built in to the kernel (for example, when you install the nVidia drivers, it compiles a kernel module and adds this into the kernel tree).

        The Linux (and Unix) philosophy is (or was) "one tool, one job". So, you have lsmod which lists all of the loaded kernel modules; insmod which loads a kernel module...etc. Updating drivers usually means recompiling at least part of the kernel (or downloading a new preconfigured one, as in Kubuntu - it's all done automatically through Adept).

        Although, now I come to think of it, there was a fairly similar tool available on SuSE 9.2 (SuSEPlugger). I don't know if there's an equivalent for Kubuntu.

        As for the ADSL modem issue, maybe start a new thread and ask about it. That's generally the best way to "resolve basic problems with the OS", as you put it.
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          #5
          Re: left windows, but still windowed

          thnks for the info jamesm, i know about adept and managed to deal with other drivers through it, but... to do it through the GUI seems like the easy way that doesnt teach me anything about the way the system works and how i should aproach it..i cant pretend that i know what :compiling the he kernel", though i have heard it mentioned a few times- and it went way over my head... this seems to be more than just a weekend course in linux as i thought it would be.. can any one recomend any webresource for the advance windows user switching to linux ? there is quite a lot out there i was hoping a seasoned user might be able to recomend what would be a worth while read and what would not
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            #6
            Re: left windows, but still windowed

            zaxxon, how's it going? I'm new to this too. In ref to your question regarding resources for the advanced Windows user (I am one too) I found this to be an excellent starting point:

            http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=3228.0

            The links for "linux beginners", "apt-get tutorials" & "debian commands" were the only ones I was able to read so far, but they have proven very helpful to me. Learning the commands, how to use apt-get & how to use Adept (although I am having a problem w/that right now) I think put me right on track to leaving Windows (at least on my home system) and never looking back. You may want to see the one on installing flashplayer for Firefox too as this will make you internet experience more enjoyable.

            Keep in mind that you ARE new to this & try to remember how many years of experience you may have w/Windows & how many you DON'T have with GNU/Linux. Just hang in there & I think you may like it. Of course it'll get a bit frustrating but stick with it. I haven't regretted it yet
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              #7
              Re: left windows, but still windowed

              i am hanging in there, but it turns out that the product is less mature than i thought.
              i could not find a way to load my usb adsl modem - in all channels i checked the experts are saying get an ethernet modem(its better more this and more that), its doable to replace, but very inconvinient not to mention expensive. printer drivers were also a long strugle but got there in the end.
              now, as much as i see how much of a novice i really am when trying to get to grips with linux - i still considered my self a fast learner and a savvy pc user. i build sell and repair PCs for a living and have shipped a few units with kubuntu installed instead of windows. and the way i see it is if i cant get it to work - what chane do the regular - "just want a comp for the kids" have. The amount of calls i get for support is too much, and i cant really refer people to the irc chat rooms b4 they get online. i might have been too hasty to sell the units before i knew what am i getting my self into, but hey....life is an adventure, and i did tell all the customers that i can not provide ant support just yet, as i am learning it as well.
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                #8
                Re: left windows, but still windowed

                Welcome to Linux.

                The easiest (if you know how) way to manage Linux is from the command line. The way to learn is to read a book entitlled "Running Linux" by Welsh, Dalheimer, & Kauffman. After that, you will be able to use builtin command manual called "man". There are a lot of things you can do from the KDE Control Center, but there are some that you cannot. I have yet to find something I couldn't do from the command line, even if exactly how to do it, sometimes takes a bit of research. The way to do the research is with google/linux. In the case of your usb adsl modem, I found references to Alcatel SpeedTouch, Conexant and Siemens modems.
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                  #9
                  Re: left windows, but still windowed

                  i found refrences as well, but no drivers.its not the end of the world, but to sell ethernet modems will eat either into my profits or make the units more expensive. not by much u would say but a tenner here and a tenner there. and you are at the bone......
                  i'd say that drivers and their managemnt should be big on the agenda, since a lot of the manufacturers do not provide linux drivers- and for the little man(or woman) thats going to be a big sticking point-if not when he buys then when he tries to work it with his new camera, printer, broadband modem or any other device
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