Klaus Knopper answers your Linux questions
Ask Klaus
Klaus takes a look at how Linux handles access to hardware.
Dear Klaus, this is my second year (approx) trying to come to terms with an alternative to XP and the learning curve that we must all accept with anything new.
My Mac was a little easier to learn, but not without its difficulties, but I destroyed Linux Mint (down to black screen) trying to come to grips with how to make what I understood in Microsoft work with Linux, so I knew that this Linux was a very different challenge! It is clear to me that I have a long way to go with the Linux learning curve. So, there is knowledge in what I have done so far, but I have made many mistakes, so please view me accordingly.
I am reasonable proficient in loading a new OS on my 32-bit laptop, until suddenly it seemed that my WiFi access and wired connection were mysteriously removed in the attempt to install two OSs: Ubuntu and Mint (and I do know about checking the third-party software box during installation to get the drivers). However, I was shocked when loading Knoppix to discover that both wired and WiFi had been found, so why not on the other two?
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.