installing modem. I have driver

Most things usually just work with Linux and as such drivers aren't usually installed (unless there is a problem and there is a driver that should fix it).

That being said, what is the modem and driver you are trying to use? If the driver is a windows driver it won't work. Linux doesn't use windows drivers (except for a few work around solutions). If you can't get your modem to work, you will need to see if the manufacturer has a Linux driver you can download. If not, and there is no support in Linux, then it could be very difficult or impossible to use it.

If you have a Linux driver, it is usually installed by running a script. The manufacturer's website should have the info on running it. If not, post some info on the driver and where you located it and I'll see what I can find.

I have modem. Mfg has supplied Linux driver. I am not alinux nerd. I want to know step by step how to install the driver(hsfmodem-7.18.00.03oem-1.i386-rpm).The modem is a conexant/ rockwell unit. I went to the conexant web side as suggested and became totally confused. There were some su commands that I don't know what they mean or were the proper commands with proper syntax. I am trying to set up Ubuntu to do some of my basic tasks.

Okay, that clears things up a bit. However, the driver you have is an RPM. Those are for Red Hat and similar distributions. Ubuntu is a Debian distribution and therefore needs .deb files. You can convert a .rpm to a .deb with a package called alien. However, it seems .deb drivers are available so that would be easier.

I'm not really sure if I'm looking on the right site but check

http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hcf/downloads-installer.php

and see if you can use the auto installer program. If not, there are .deb packages on this page

http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hcf/full/downloads.php

If this looks wrong, please point me to where you downloaded the driver and I'll see what I can find.

As for commands, once you have the .deb file you will type

dpkg -i /path/to/file.deb

More complete instructions can be found at http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hcf/install.php

By the way, is this an internal dial up modem or an external broadband modem? If it's external you almost never need any drivers.

Hope that helps.

Converting rpm to deb is becoming a chore. If I could e-mail the rpm file, have it converted and returned to me as deb, I would be happily on my way. Otherwise I will Shelve Ubuntu and wait for an improved version. I have too many things to do and cannot spend quantities of time in order for my linux to work. It would mean back to Microsoft.

Converting the driver is probably not the way to go. There were a lot of .deb drivers on the web site I was looking at as well as an auto install option. I'd suggest looking for the right one there or trying the auto installer rather than converting the rpm. Is possible (probable?) that you will have problems with a converted rpm driver.