I don't know if this is the right place to post this (I have already posted this on the Ubuntu forums, and no response for three days now), but I have just decided to switch to Linux and it seems I cannot get my network adapter to work, so that means no Lusternia for me. If this topic is not appropiate, please delete it.
If someone could explain to a complete newbie to Linux how I can get my network card to work, preferably with shiny images and screen captures, I would appreciate it enormously.

Okay... remind me if the SiS that you're using the is the Wireless one? If it is ... you're in for a world of trouble. If it isn't... it'll be easier, but still annoying.

SiS... that means you have an Acer, I'm guessing... which sucks, because Acer hardware isn't supported by ANYthing... but Ubuntu makes everything nicer... so who knows?

It's not wireless, it's on the Asus low-end motherboard of my desktop computer.

Maybe this will help?

http://www.howtoforge.com/creating-the-sis...er-on-linux-2.6

Nope, it doesn't who any error when I do modprobe sis190, the file sis190.c is different from the one the author pointed to, and it seems that I don't know how to create the .config file for the new kernel.

You are on the right track. You need to MODPROBE/INSMOD. Is the module you are attempting to load compatible with you current kernel?

Best option here, though is -very- difficult to do would be to configure and compile you own kernel. This option is not for the faint hearted though. I have never done it on Ubuntu with it being a binary distribution.

There is a possibility that there is no 'working' module for the kernel you are running. That adapter is pretty old I believe. You can pick an SIS900 up for £5 (about $10).

If you did want to go the route I describe, and you are not comfortable doing it, drop to a shell, do a $ lspci, paste the contents here and I will do the work for you.

As for creating a new .config, well that come after you configure it. You will need GCC, G++, -all- GCC libs. ncurses and a few others.

Just cd to /usr/src/linux and do $ make menuconfig.

WARNING! Be sure to compile your filesystem (ext2, ext3, reiser etc) directly into the kernel! (i.e. not a modules) as you will not be able to access anything, you will get a kernel panic.

EDIT: May be worth going to http:www.kernel.org and grabbing the latest kernel.

EDIT2: http://www.gentoo.org FTW.

I am starting to feel like Alice in Wonderland. This is the first time I see a Linux desktop, have mercy.

Just to update this thread, I am currently sorting out a new kernel for him. Any issues you may have with GNU/Linux can be directed at myself. (Am a self-confessed *nix geek and I love working with it)

She is!

Silly people, girls can't do Linux!

I actually find that comment rather offensive, and would ask that you retract it please.

Considering I have been using GNU/Linux since its conception, and am an active contributor into the linux community, and build operating system for a living, I believe that gives me the right to call myself a *nix nerd.

/rant

. . .

(Sarcasm am humors)