Linux Virtual Network and its uses. Setup, configuration difficulties and how to's.

[pcarpenter0318]

Select Topic Area

Question

Body

I own an 2017 HP Notebook which Windows 11 is not compatible. This HP is to old. It has AMD graphics and Radeon 5200, i believe. I have installed the "
Linux Mint "cinnamon v22."
Its not online yet. This is where i got stuck.
I would like to know what to do exactly to get this pc online, "which packages would be beneficial or best to use and their how to's" and, where to locate all of it.
Terminal commands?
Also, what Terminal windows ill be needing to use, their uses and exactly how to's. Especially learning and building the correct formats for these commands and what steps ill need to take before, during, and or after each command is run.
Terminal commands
I need to get it online to be able to link it with Get-Hub to start this project so, any and all assistance in this information would be very helpful.
It would be very helpful to know the detailed steps on getting this pc online. I havent figured out the Different Terminals on this system, their uses or setting up the correct Terminal commands format.
Troubleshooting, this first step incase anything arises and possble to show up is a concern.
Im not sure what files or anything that anyone assisting will need to see. Please let me know and ill try to get them added asap.
Thank you.

[devenkumar1]

Got it! To get your 2017 HP Notebook online and working with GitHub using Linux Mint Cinnamon 22, you'll need to follow a step-by-step process to get your system online and set up the necessary tools.

Steps to Get Your PC Online

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet

The first thing you need to do is get your PC connected to the internet.

Wi-Fi

If you have a Wi-Fi network and the necessary drivers are installed, you can connect to it directly from the Network Manager in the system tray. Just click the Wi-Fi icon, select your network, and enter your password.

Ethernet

If you're using a wired connection, simply plug in the Ethernet cable, and Linux Mint should detect it automatically. You should see a notification when it's connected.

Troubleshooting Network Issues

If you don't have a working connection:

1. Open a Terminal (we'll cover the different terminals later).

2. Check if your network interfaces are up:

   ip link

   Look for eth0, wlan0, or similar names.

3. If no network interface is listed, check if your Wi-Fi drivers are installed. Use:

   lspci | grep -i network

   This will show the network adapter. If it doesn't show a Wi-Fi card or Ethernet, you may need to install the right drivers.

2. Update Your System

Once you're connected, it's always a good idea to update your system to get the latest packages and drivers. Run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This will update the list of available packages and then install the latest updates.

3. Install Network Drivers (if necessary)

If your Wi-Fi or Ethernet isn't working right after updating, you may need to install proprietary drivers for your network card.

To install missing drivers, use:

sudo apt install linux-firmware

You can also check for additional drivers:

sudo apt install ubuntu-drivers-common
sudo ubuntu-drivers devices

If the output lists any recommended drivers, you can install them by running:

sudo apt install <driver-package-name>

4. Install Necessary Packages (For GitHub integration and development)

To get started with GitHub and development tools, you'll need:

• Git (Version Control)
• Curl (to fetch files from the internet)
• Build-essential (for compiling software)
• OpenSSH (for secure communication with GitHub)

Install Git:

sudo apt install git

Install Curl:

sudo apt install curl

Install Build Essentials:

sudo apt install build-essential

Install OpenSSH:

sudo apt install openssh-client

This will install tools for interacting with GitHub and potentially for development.

5. Set Up Git

Once Git is installed, you need to configure it with your username and email. This is essential for version control.

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

6. Create SSH Keys for GitHub Authentication

For secure access to GitHub, you'll need SSH keys. Here’s how to generate them and add them to GitHub:

1. Generate an SSH key pair:

   ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "[email protected]"

   When prompted, press Enter to save the key to the default location.

2. Add the SSH key to your SSH agent:

   eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
   ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

3. Copy the SSH public key to your clipboard:

   cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

4. Go to GitHub SSH settings and paste the SSH key there.

7. Test Your Connection to GitHub

Once the SSH key is added, test the connection:

ssh -T [email protected]

You should see a message like:

Hi username! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

Types of Terminals and Their Uses in Linux Mint

In Linux Mint, there is typically one main terminal: the Terminal (gnome-terminal). It’s the tool you'll use to run commands like sudo apt install or git clone.

However, you can also use multiple terminal windows or tabs for convenience if you need to run multiple commands at once. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Main Terminal: The main terminal window where you type commands.
• Root Terminal: Open with sudo -i to run commands as root. This is useful for admin tasks like installing packages.
• Text-based Terminal Editor (Nano, Vim, etc.): You can open a text editor like nano or vim in the terminal to modify files.

Basic Terminal Commands You’ll Need

Here are a few basic Linux commands you'll be using frequently:

• List Files: ls - Lists files in the current directory.
• Change Directory: cd /path/to/directory - Changes the directory.
• Make Directory: mkdir new_folder - Creates a new directory.
• Update System: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade - Updates the system.
• Install Package: sudo apt install package-name - Installs a package.
• Check Disk Usage: df -h - Displays disk space.
• Check Memory Usage: free -h - Shows memory usage.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. No Network Interface Found: If ip link or lspci shows no network devices, try to check for missing drivers. You can also check dmesg logs for errors:

   dmesg | grep -i network

2. Wi-Fi Driver Issues: If Wi-Fi isn’t working and the device is not recognized, try installing additional drivers:

   sudo apt install firmware-linux-nonfree

3. Permissions Issues: If you run into permission problems, remember to prefix commands that require admin access with sudo (e.g., sudo apt install <package>).

---

Conclusion

These steps should help you get your HP Notebook online and set up for GitHub integration. You'll need to:

1. Connect to the internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
2. Update your system and install necessary drivers.
3. Install Git, Curl, and other development tools.
4. Set up Git with SSH keys for secure communication with GitHub.

Once everything is up and running, you’ll be able to interact with GitHub directly from your Linux Mint machine.

Let me know if any specific step causes issues, and I can help troubleshoot!

[pcarpenter0318]

Thank you. Very much appreciated!!!!

…

On Mon, Sep 22, 2025, 12:06 AM Deven kumar ***@***.***> wrote: Got it! To get your 2017 HP Notebook online and working with GitHub using Linux Mint Cinnamon 22, you'll need to follow a step-by-step process to get your system online and set up the necessary tools. Steps to Get Your PC Online 1. *Connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet* The first thing you need to do is get your PC connected to the internet. *Wi-Fi* If you have a Wi-Fi network and the necessary drivers are installed, you can connect to it directly from the *Network Manager* in the system tray. Just click the Wi-Fi icon, select your network, and enter your password. *Ethernet* If you're using a wired connection, simply plug in the Ethernet cable, and Linux Mint should detect it automatically. You should see a notification when it's connected. *Troubleshooting Network Issues* If you don't have a working connection: 1. Open a *Terminal* (we'll cover the different terminals later). 2. Check if your network interfaces are up: ip link Look for eth0, wlan0, or similar names. 3. If no network interface is listed, check if your Wi-Fi drivers are installed. Use: lspci | grep -i network This will show the network adapter. If it doesn't show a Wi-Fi card or Ethernet, you may need to install the right drivers. 2. *Update Your System* Once you're connected, it's always a good idea to update your system to get the latest packages and drivers. Run: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade This will update the list of available packages and then install the latest updates. 3. *Install Network Drivers (if necessary)* If your Wi-Fi or Ethernet isn't working right after updating, you may need to install proprietary drivers for your network card. To install missing drivers, use: sudo apt install linux-firmware You can also check for additional drivers: sudo apt install ubuntu-drivers-common sudo ubuntu-drivers devices If the output lists any recommended drivers, you can install them by running: sudo apt install <driver-package-name> 4. *Install Necessary Packages (For GitHub integration and development)* To get started with GitHub and development tools, you'll need: - *Git* (Version Control) - *Curl* (to fetch files from the internet) - *Build-essential* (for compiling software) - *OpenSSH* (for secure communication with GitHub) Install Git: sudo apt install git Install Curl: sudo apt install curl Install Build Essentials: sudo apt install build-essential Install OpenSSH: sudo apt install openssh-client This will install tools for interacting with GitHub and potentially for development. 5. *Set Up Git* Once Git is installed, you need to configure it with your username and email. This is essential for version control. git config --global user.name "Your Name" git config --global user.email ***@***.***" 6. *Create SSH Keys for GitHub Authentication* For secure access to GitHub, you'll need SSH keys. Here’s how to generate them and add them to GitHub: 1. Generate an SSH key pair: ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C ***@***.***" When prompted, press Enter to save the key to the default location. 2. Add the SSH key to your SSH agent: eval "$(ssh-agent -s)" ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa 3. Copy the SSH public key to your clipboard: cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub 4. Go to GitHub SSH settings <https://github.com/settings/keys> and paste the SSH key there. 7. *Test Your Connection to GitHub* Once the SSH key is added, test the connection: ssh -T ***@***.*** You should see a message like: Hi username! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access. Types of Terminals and Their Uses in Linux Mint In Linux Mint, there is typically *one main terminal*: the *Terminal (gnome-terminal)*. It’s the tool you'll use to run commands like sudo apt install or git clone. However, you can also use *multiple terminal windows* or *tabs* for convenience if you need to run multiple commands at once. Here's a quick breakdown: - *Main Terminal*: The main terminal window where you type commands. - *Root Terminal*: Open with sudo -i to run commands as root. This is useful for admin tasks like installing packages. - *Text-based Terminal Editor (Nano, Vim, etc.)*: You can open a text editor like nano or vim in the terminal to modify files. Basic Terminal Commands You’ll Need Here are a few basic Linux commands you'll be using frequently: - *List Files*: ls - Lists files in the current directory. - *Change Directory*: cd /path/to/directory - Changes the directory. - *Make Directory*: mkdir new_folder - Creates a new directory. - *Update System*: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade - Updates the system. - *Install Package*: sudo apt install package-name - Installs a package. - *Check Disk Usage*: df -h - Displays disk space. - *Check Memory Usage*: free -h - Shows memory usage. Troubleshooting Tips 1. *No Network Interface Found*: If ip link or lspci shows no network devices, try to check for missing drivers. You can also check dmesg logs for errors: dmesg | grep -i network 2. *Wi-Fi Driver Issues*: If Wi-Fi isn’t working and the device is not recognized, try installing additional drivers: sudo apt install firmware-linux-nonfree 3. *Permissions Issues*: If you run into permission problems, remember to prefix commands that require admin access with sudo (e.g., sudo apt install <package>). ------------------------------ Conclusion These steps should help you get your HP Notebook online and set up for GitHub integration. You'll need to: 1. Connect to the internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet). 2. Update your system and install necessary drivers. 3. Install Git, Curl, and other development tools. 4. Set up Git with SSH keys for secure communication with GitHub. Once everything is up and running, you’ll be able to interact with GitHub directly from your Linux Mint machine. Let me know if any specific step causes issues, and I can help troubleshoot! — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#173989 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BQ3PARKDKJES46NYBH4Q4H33T57WVAVCNFSM6AAAAACG5B6ZXOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTINBXGIZTINQ> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[gpl-gowthamchand]

Hey @pcarpenter0318,

Nice question - happy to help you get your 2017 HP Notebook up and running with Linux Mint Cinnamon and GitHub. I’ll walk you through the basics in a way that doesn’t assume too much, so you can follow each step easily.

---

What you’ll need

• A working internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
• The Linux Mint Cinnamon system already installed
• A user with sudo privileges (so you can install programs and make system changes)

---

What to do, step by step

1. Connect to the Internet

   • If you have Wi-Fi, click the network icon → choose your SSID → enter WiFi password.
   • If Ethernet is available, just plug in the cable — Linux Mint usually detects it automatically.
   • If nothing shows up: open Terminal and run ip link → see if wireless (wlan0, etc.) or wired (eth0, etc.) is listed. If not, you might be missing drivers.

2. Update your system
   Open Terminal and run:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
   

   This makes sure you have the latest packages, especially drivers and software that help with networking.

3. Install network drivers (if needed)

   • To see what network hardware you have:

     lspci | grep -i network
     

   • If drivers are missing, try installing firmware and drivers:

     sudo apt install linux-firmware
     sudo apt install ubuntu-drivers-common
     sudo ubuntu-drivers devices
     sudo apt install <driver-name>
     

4. Install tools you’ll need for GitHub & development
   These are commonly used tools:

   sudo apt install git curl build-essential openssh-client
   

   • Git is version control — to clone, push/pull code
   • OpenSSH: to use SSH keys (safer than typing passwords)
   • build-essential: compilers & utilities if you need to build software

5. Set up Git
   In Terminal, run:

   git config --global user.name "Your Name"
   git config --global user.email "[email protected]"
   

   That lets your commits show up properly in GitHub.

6. Generate SSH key and connect with GitHub

   • Create a new SSH key:

     ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "[email protected]"
     

     Press enter for defaults unless you want custom settings.

   • Start the SSH agent and add the key:

     eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
     ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa
     

   • Copy the public key to GitHub:

     cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
     

     Then go into your GitHub Settings → SSH & GPG Keys → New SSH key → paste that content.

7. Test the SSH connection

   ssh -T [email protected]
   

   If everything is right, GitHub will greet you and confirm the connection.

---

If at any step something doesn’t work (e.g. no WiFi option, SSH key error, etc.), let me know the exact error or what shows up — I can help you troubleshoot those specifics.

[pcarpenter0318]

Thank you for helping. Im not near the pc at the moment but i will be after while to see what i can do with your help. Yea im completely brand new to linux so its been an interesting learn so far. I have a long way to go to pick everything up on linux. But i appreciate the help