Just installed Ubuntu Linux v8! A few questions

Just formatted my Vista partition and installed Linux

1) How do I access some sort of device manager to know if my webcam and finger print sensor are working? When I did the hardware test everything passed but nothing was mentioned about the above 2 items.

2) Where do I download an MSN or Windows Live Messenger for Linux from?

3) What do I need to know?

 

2) Try Pidgin
3) Ubuntuforums.org

 

Does lspci from a terminal show the webcam?

 

How to check that? I'm a n00b

 

4) Where do I get nVIDIA Drivers for my GeForce 7400 GO?

 

5) I just purchased NOD32 before deciding to switch to Linux?

Can I use it on Linux? Or is there no need for an AntiVirus with Linux as it is safe like Apple?

 

Good for you! You can't use NOD32 on Linux, nor really need it....you'll need it on the Vista partition....you dual booted right? If you're on a Windows network like me, you might want to set up a firewall with Firestarter...I used Guarddog for KDE (Kubuntu).

Take your time, don't mess with file permissions or system files, and read thru some basic tutorials, take some notes until everything sinks in...it will

 

2) Use Pidgin
3) Read this start to finish.

EnvyNG or Restricted drivers manager.

You can't use it in linux, you don't need to. You can use it if you use virtualized windows such as in a VM or with Wine but otherwise you just wasted your money.

You should have done some Googling before getting into Linux or asked here prior but i personally won't hold it against ya, I suggest you try out LinuxMint, along with some other distro's so you get to know what you like and don't. That's a big help.

 

In the top right corner of your screen there should be a green icon near the update icon. It's for restricted nVidia drivers. You can also go to Applications/System Tools and click on nVidia drivers and then apply. You'll have an nVidia Settings tool installed, as well.

You don't need an AV at this point in time, though the time will probably come eventually.

Edit: System/Preferences/Hardware information

 

Yes, you can use NOD32 in a Virtual Machine, but I use AVG Free in my XP virtual machine (created with VirtualBox), but use Bitdefender in Vista.

 

I don't see Hardware Information

 

Where do I get the correct version of Pidgin from and what shall I click to install it?

 

Go to a terminal(Application>Assecories>Terminal).
Type:

Code:

lspci

Go to the Hardware drivers manager. It's In the System>Administration Menu

No use in using it, linux has no viruses.

EDIT: Pidgin is included(Applications>Internet>Pidgin)

 

Ohh ok thanks! how blind was I