UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

I recently installed Mandrake Linux 9.0 on my intel machine, with a view to migrating completely from Windows within the next few months. First I need to get things working.

My modem, sound card, scanner and printer all fail to work. This isn't going to put me off because I love the interface (KDE 3.0) and am more comfortable working on a machine on which I can pop up a console and get the root of the OS to mess around.

The soundcard is at the bottom of the list - however the rest of the devices are important. Firstly does anyone know of a PCI modem that definately works with their Mandrake/Other Linux distro? Secondly has anyone had problems with USB hot plugging on the new Mandrake 9.0 release? How have you managed to get it to work?

Thanks for any help.

Mandrake has a hardware list of supported/unsupported hardware. Find it here.

Just punch in the information and look for the hardware you have. If you are looking to buy new hardware to work with it, then pick a brand and see if it has the highest rating (Certified).