Switching from Windows to Linux need help?

Question

I am switching to Backtrack 3 from Linux. I downloaded the live and tried it out. I like it a lot better then windows. I couldn't get it to use my built in wireless card in my laptop on the live cd. That was my only issue. I was wondering if that is because of the live cd or what would I need to do to get it to recognize it? I am new at using it so I think that is part of my problem.

Answer 1

might have to troubleshoot the drivers to make it compatible

what wireless card is it?



boot the live cd in a cmd shell type "iwconfig"

does the wireless card show up there.. might read wifi0 / wlan0 but not the eth0 or the local one



just going into the k menu

select internet and then wireless assistant, can you use your wireless then?



just a pointer backtrack 3 is a live security pentesting suite which basically means its full of tools to test computer and network security

as an operating system its likely to not fulfill your needs as you say your switching from windows

just explore with the live cd for now and maybe have a look at dual-boot to really get the experience



in my opinion if your moving from windows xp i would aim for ubuntu 9.04 instead of backtrack



email me if you have any other questions about backtrack 3, i would be more than happy to answer them for you

Answer 2

Get the model of your integrated wireless card and find out if there is a Linux driver for it (but make sure its for the right Linux OS). Try device manager to get the make/model, then go to the company's website for a Linux driver (Or google :P). If all else fails stay on windows, use a Ethernet cable or get and external card. Your reasoning is probably right anyway is your running the OS off of a CD/DVD.



Cheers, Nick :)



PS Try manually turning on the card before doing any of this because i had to do that when i was running FC5 (Fedora Core 5)

Answer 3

New to Linux decide for the loose version of Mandriva. i might individually deploy it twin boot with homestead windows, so which you have the better of the two working platforms. It does take an prolonged time to get use to it and specific it particularly is distinctive than homestead windows. Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Mandriva, Suse and different names are in simple terms that, the call of the distribution. there is not any longer that plenty distinction between any of them, they proportion an identical complication-loose base information and especially much an identical application in the Open source Distributions that are loose to download and use. they additionally incorporate distinctive laptop Environments, that's genuinely the way they seem and what's put in in theses laptop Environments, whether it incredibly would not remember for the reason that what might properly be put in might properly be put in in yet another. Linux is an working device you opt to customise or set it up on your desires and standards. Open source Linux isn't a canned version the place each and every person has precisely an identical working device information put in. i does no longer swap working platforms, yet run them twin boot. meaning once you boot up a menu is displayed and you opt to the two run homestead windows or Linux. I variety of get exhilaration from analyzing 0.5 Baked solutions approximately Linux. it variety of feels that people who knock it have not used it long sufficient to comprehend it or what it may do. you have Open workplace that's an option to Microsoft workplace or maybe works with MS workplace information. For iPods and iTunes you may desire to understand what information to place in.

Answer 4

Wireless cards are tough to set up. Look up how to use ndiswrapper to use the windows drivers. This is the quickest and easiest way to set it up.



There is an application called ceni that might help. Download the rpm or deb or whatever Backtrack uses on another PC and set up the app on your laptop.

Answer 5

Um, why are you using an offensive security testing distro? It is designed for checking security systems etc., not as a general operating system.



Linux distributions designed for desktop use (which will be much easier to use, and will be better at recognising stuff) include:

Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/

OpenSUSE http://www.opensuse.org/en/

Fedora http://fedoraproject.org/