Newbie --Admin access problem... HELP!!

[Faithful John]

On 9/9/05, George E. Murch Jr. <gmurch at optonline.net> wrote:
> Faithful John wrote:
> 
> >Hi all,
> >I'm a relative newbie who's been using the debian sarge.   I recently
> >have been trying to install kubuntu on my friends laptop.   She wants
> >to use linux as a primary system (she doesn't like micro$oft).
> >Anyway, when I was installing kubuntu off a disc, the network
> >connections did not set up properly.   Anyway, I have no connection to
> >the internet on that laptop and so I am having lots of trouble
> >updating the thing.   I dont even have admin acess.   I know it's a
> >bug, and it's been reported, but I can't make any sense of the advice
> >people give.   Either it doesn't seem to work, or there isn't enough
> >information for a newbie to follow the instructions.
> >
> >I don't even know where to start to get it going, especially since I
> >can't get admin access.
> >Selam
> >
> >--
> >kubuntu-users mailing list
> >kubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> >http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/kubuntu-users
> >
> >
> >
> Do this command to get Admin access ...
> sudo su
> 
> If the laptop is wireless look for KWiFiManager in the Internet Menu .
> Now go to the Settings Menu ... Look for the Configuration Editor and
> setup your Wireless Settings ...
> Good Luck !
> 
Thank you, that seems to be a way around.   This is ok for me, but
this laptop is for a brand spanking new person to linux (though has
used my machine here and there).   Is there an actual solution to the
problem?

I did find the configuration manager, but what do I do to do to set up
the network?   When I click the autodetect, and error message come up
telling me that it is "Unable to autodetect wireless interface."   I
am currently not in an area that has a wireless connect.   I have an
external D-Link Air DWL-650 in the laptop PCI slot.   I have the CD
with drivers, but obviously it is for Windows only (though to be
honest, I am guessing this).   What do I need to do now?

I know that the problem may be deeper.   I'm not sure I have DHCP set
up properly at all since I can't even get the regular ethernet to
work.
-fj