I am planning on installing linux on my computer in a few weeks here. I was wondering if linux and Windows XP can still share the internet connection with my family's and my dad's laptop. I run the Dell router. I will have to put specifics when I get home. I wanted to know if I can still keep the LAN connection I have now, or will I have to redo the connection so it will work for linux? My mom wants me to find out about it, so I was wondering if anyone knew if your connection stays the same when you change the OS.If you are running with DHCP as opposed to specific IP addresses as most cable companies do, then you just plug it in from the router or the cable modem. No SPECIAL configuration.

Are you talking wired or wireless, and what are the specifics of your SYSTEM? We can get you seup.

My setup goes like this. Cable modem to D-Link router. Up to 4 wired connections to a mix of Linux and Windows boxes, and wireless connections to 4-5 more, again with a mix of Linux and Windows.

I run through the D-link router also. I don't know exactly what my modem is, because I am at school now. But, I run a the modem and router in my room, and I use one wireless LAN port for my parents computer. I use the same connection for my XBOX 360 Live. I already have the connections setup, I jsut needed to know if I can keep the same one or do I have to make a new one? My mom won't let me download it until I know.If you are hooking a computer directly to the router you are good to go. Which Linux are you planning to use? Are you goinf o use a second hard drive, or a portion of an existing hard drive? Do you have empty space to make a Linux partition?I have a 8gb memory, so I should be good on the partition part. I was wondering if I should buy it, or use one of the distributors?Which ones were you thinking about? What are your system specs?

I hope you mean 8 gigs unnpartitionned hard drive space, by the way.Yes, I mean unpartioned. I am going to get Red Hat, I have a dell DIMENSION 3000, and 8 gigs unpartioned obviously.You may want to start with Fedora - it's quite similar and is free, whereas Redhat is not.Thanks, GX1_Man!

I got the OS installed, and all the connections work fine. That distributor worked GREAT and I am very happy with the switch.Keep us updated on your path to enlightenment...... I am loving every second I am on my computer. Linux is so much better then XP. So much more freedom of my drives, and I am not kept away from anything that is going on.Good for you. I am glad you are enjoying it.


Nice to not have to worry about spyware, adware and viruses too, eh?Yes, I am happy that it doesn't have to take all that up. Haven't had any trouble at all. Best of all, my mom isn't mad at me for once!

Thanks for all the help again.