I've just installed PCLOS2009 on a PC and I can't connect to internet nor to a local network.
I don't think anything is wrong (yet) because I am a total novice about networks.
Usually it connects smoothly right from the beginning (other PC's does) but this doesn't and I've tried (without knowing what I am doing) to configure an internet connection (cable modem) but failed, and also failed to connect to my other PCLINUXOS PC which should share internet and some foders usinf Samba.
First I need to understand the basics behind networking and internet connection.
I suppose there are some levels of functioning I have to make sute it works:
1) hardware (the 10/100 PCI card, the cable)
2) the hadrware driver
3) the TCP/IP protocol
4) some more stuff to make a direct internet connection or connect to a home network?
5) when the network is up and functioning, I can configure stuff like sharing (samba)?
When I discover that internet doesn't work (Firefox tells me "Address not found. Firefox can't find the host server for the provided address.") I don't have a clue on which level it fails, and I don't know how to test from 1) to 5) that it is OK.
It seeems that the network PCI card is functioning and got a proper driver (but I am not 100% sure of that either)
What tools do I have to check what is wrong, and in what order should I proceed?
Usually, when I am setting up a network, I just press buttons in some setup-guide and if it doesn't work I just change randomly some stuff, and usually (after hours) it suprisingly works. I'm tired of this and tired of not understand the basics of networking.

I hope some of you nice guys out there could give me some hints to learn from. Or some links.