Hmm looks like it is aiming you at a KDE desktop, I used to use Mandriva about 4 years ago but I know prefer the Gnome desktop, the KDE is too much like vista, all gadgets and widgets 

At least with Linux you can change your desktop simply by a few commands and a wait while it installs. (something like sudo apt-get install kde kde-desktop would install the KDE desktop in all its glory) and if you don't like it you can change at the login, bu selecting a different one. LXDE is an interesting one on slow machines definatly a grower.

Interesting - not explored SuSe but just checked and it uses the Gnome desktop too, but gives the option early on of KDE. Looks a bit Mint-ish on the screenshots.
KDE desktop is Windows-ish and this is why I initially liked it. Possibly new Linux users look
for a point of reference so it is good in some ways.
However, now I actually don't want things to look like Windows and just like simplicity and clarity.
I might burn a disc to have a look at Open SuSe.

As another option - most laptops have the facility to install a Mini-PCI wireless card inside. This usually means removing the keyboard to access the slot. You have to check out some instructions for your lappy to see what is involved. That would be a neat solution as it is all tucked away inside. Intel crads are generally well supported with Linux. I use an Intel Pro2200 in my Dell C400 running Mint Gloria, and it works fine.

Thanks Denzil.

Biker has offered me an old PCMCIA card to try so I'm going to give that a go first.

Bob

With reference to getting wireless working on my Mint laptop. Biker is sending me a D-link DWL-510a to try. Please could I have some pointers as to how I should install this. Do I just plug it in and expect it to work or do I need to download anything?

Thanks - Bob

Hi Bob, on my Mint laptop (which isn't up to date it had 164 new updates to load) it was just plug it in and go to network manger, choose your base station and enter the wpa code.

Great, I'll let you know how I get on.

Bob

Hello again

The card arrived in the post yesterday (thanks biker) but I'm stuck. I've plugged it in and looked in “Network Connections” but it's not there under the wireless tab (see screen shot). I've tried re-booting and even  installing Mint again from scratch with the card in place but I still can't see it.

I've tried Googling a solution but there seems to be lots of things to try, most of which I don't really understand.

Any suggestions please.

Bob

Bob,
You could try looking in the system log ( with the log file viewer ) to see if there is evidence that the system has detected the wireless card.

Strange, try the other slot,i.e. if it is in the upper the lower.

@biker - I've tried both slots and it doesn't show up in either.

@MisterW - there are 2 syslogs - sorry I don't know what I'm looking for so I've posted them both. Please let me know if there is anything in here that I shouldn't be making public  

syslog is below:

Sep 25 10:24:15 linux-laptop syslogd 1.5.0#5ubuntu3: restart.
Sep 25 10:24:15 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Job `cron.daily' terminated (exit status: 1) (mailing output)
Sep 25 10:24:15 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Can't find sendmail at /usr/sbin/sendmail, not mailing output
Sep 25 10:24:16 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Job `cron.weekly' started
Sep 25 10:24:16 linux-laptop anacron[12357]: Updated timestamp for job `cron.weekly' to 2009-09-25
Sep 25 10:27:53 linux-laptop syslogd 1.5.0#5ubuntu3: restart.
Sep 25 10:27:53 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Job `cron.weekly' terminated
Sep 25 10:27:53 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Job `cron.monthly' started
Sep 25 10:27:53 linux-laptop anacron[15786]: Updated timestamp for job `cron.monthly' to 2009-09-25
Sep 25 10:27:53 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Job `cron.monthly' terminated
Sep 25 10:27:53 linux-laptop anacron[2662]: Normal exit (3 jobs run)
Sep 25 10:30:02 linux-laptop /USR/SBIN/CRON[15834]: (root) CMD ([ -x /usr/sbin/update-motd ] && /usr/sbin/update-motd 2>/dev/null)
Sep 25 10:30:02 linux-laptop console-kit-daemon[2306]: WARNING: Couldn't read /proc/2304/environ: Failed to open file '/proc/2304/environ': No such file or directory
Sep 25 10:40:01 linux-laptop /USR/SBIN/CRON[16085]: (root) CMD ([ -x /usr/sbin/update-motd ] && /usr/sbin/update-motd 2>/dev/null)
 
syslog.0 is attached as a pdf.

Bob

Don't know anything about Bluetooth, but your log includes
BTW I think a text file would be easier to look at.

Hi bob,
            I recently tried this and it was really straight forward,(or it was for me) when you go to your networks connection bit and click on the tab for wireless nothing was there on mines either,however when i went to add it came up a small window to fill in and then my wpa key and then it detected the network and away i went,when you click on add you should get a window like this to fill in,really new i am too this aswell but thats how i got it going mate

Bob does the led come on at all? Also rather than right clicking on the network tab left click it.
Also is your wireless broadcasting its sid or is it not?

I cant see anything in that system log that indicates its detecting the card.
Is the card a PCMCIA card ( as opposed to Cardbus/ExpressCard! )? , i would guess so as its an old card.
Are the slots on the laptop PCMCIA or are they only Cardbus ?

HMM the card is PCIMA but looking at the log
Looks like the laptop is Cardbus. Strange because when Bob sent me the details it said it took PCIMA cards.

From the manual:-
Silly Q Bob, you do have it in the right way up? Leds up.