It is usually easier to connect to an Ethernet card than a Wireless card, so if you are having problems with your wireless card, you can connect to your Wired card to connect up to the Internet to download "restricted" drivers, and then tackle the problem with your Wireless card. You can use a web browser to test if you are connected to the Internet.

Ubuntu releases a stable version to be downloaded and burned onto a CD. As time goes by, there are fixes that are made to that version. Instead of making a newer version of the distribution to be downloaded and burned, those fixes can be updated via the Internet. The longer the stable version has become, the more updates are required to make that version up-to-date. For example, I recently installed Ubuntu 9.04 in October 2009 (prior to the release of Ubuntu 9.10), and there were over 240 required updates. The Ubuntu distribution will after a short period of time indicate to the user of updates. It is a good idea to immediately update your Ubuntu distribution after you can connect to the Internet. Below are the procedures to manually check for updates for your Ubuntu system. Steps To Check for Updates: # Click SYSTEM -> ADMINISTRATION -> Update Manager# The Update Manager dialog box will appear.# If the message "Your system is up-to-date", then you do not need to download and install updates (although it may be a good idea to click on the "Check" button just to make certain)...# If updates appear, then click on the button "Install Updates".# The update procedure will first download all updates, and then install them.# When completed, the system will re-check for updates, which should then give the message "Your system is up-to-date"# Close the Update Manager Dialog box. NOTE: Sometimes, you may be required to reboot the Ubuntu system for the updates to take effect...