I don't have much experience with Linux, especially not recently, and am trying to access the Internet having installed Mandriva 2006 x86 DVD from CheapBytes on a PIII IBM NetVista.
It's a Speedstream modem with USB or Ethernet connection, I'm using the Ethernet for both my windows box and the Linux.
I used the Mandrake Control Center > Setup new network interface with ADSL and PPPoE.
I tried it with and without the DNS data. I also confirmed the user name & password with my ISP (Bell Sympatico in Ontario, Canada)
The Ethernet and DSL leds came on and occasionally the Activity led but eventually it said: The system does not seem to be connected to the internet.
Under Hardware > Options I tried auto-detecting the modem and it gave a warning that the gstreamer-alsa package wasn't installed; it then seemed to install it.
Thanks for your help,
Peter.