can't setup internet connection :(

I think you're making this harder than it needs to be

I've never even looked at the files you're talking about. I'm pretty much a Linux novice.

You can probably configure your Network Interfaces via the menus that are in the distro for that purpose.

Go to System Configuration-Settings (in the main menu if you're logged in as root), System Administration, Mepis Utilities, Network Interfaces.

You'll see check boxes for things like using DHCP and starting automatically at bootup.

If your card is configured correctly already, and you want to see if it works, you need to get an IP Address for it using dhclient (something that Mepis will do for you automatically if you configure your cards via the menus).

For example:

dhclient eth0

What kind of card is it? If it's wireless, you can use iwconfig to see if it's showing up.

Jim C.

Yes, I can do almost all via this menus except changing
mac adress of my card( and I must do it to get around our sysadmin's restrictions).

And I see that I'm getting exectly the same IP address as if I 've connected via my office comp. I can't just
reason out why internet doesn't work.

I have integrated Gigabit Ethernet adaptor.

I can't help you then. Perhaps someone that knows a lot more about networks can.

I've never had to bypass security by trying to get an operating system to fake the MAC Address of another card before.

I didn't even know that you could do that (although I guess that someone could write software to do it).

The MAC Address is embedded in hardware, and some Network Operating systems limit access to specific MAC Addresses as an added security precaution to keep out unauthorized computers.

I used to do this with Novell Netware to make sure someone could not get in, even if they figured out a valid username/password.

Your Network Admin would probably be pretty upset if he/she knew what you were attempting. If not, then just get them to allow the MAC address of your Laptop.

Jim C.

oh yes, they are upset

When every I have been able to "connect" but not ping it was usually due to the fact that I didn't have DNS addresses set.

Perhaps if you used the MEPIS Utilities to set the DNS IP addresses to the same ones that are used by your desktop. ???

Someone posted these public DNS IP address:

"In the Mepis Old OS Centre, under the Network Interfaces selector, click on the DNS tab and change the setting to:
Use static DNS
Primary DNS Server: 4.2.2.1
Secondary DNS Server: 4.2.2.2"

Perhaps they might help?

--
GreyGeek

I'll be at my office at Tuesday and try it.

By the way:
After I had started network with
/etc/init.d/networking start
I looked at MEPIS Utilities window and
saw our network DNS address automaticaly filled in
appropriate place. Though it seems it doesn't work.

If I write some web site name I'm getting a message
about unknown host.
When I try to ping it by ip address then 100% packets
lost.

I've noticed one difference in 'route' command
working.

When I execute it on my desktop comp I'm getting immediate
result.
When I do it on my laptop there is a 2-3 sec pause before
'default' record appears.

But does it mean anything?

no success,
it is not because of DNS address

It now seems to me that it's a driver problem.