Installing from USB stick

Yes, it does have a ethernet port, and I've just tested it, and it works ok, so as you've given me a little more confidence, I'll run both update and dist-upgrade.
Can you explain

but you need configure you apt sources and adding a conf file.

a little for me ? The old brain cells are getting slower these days !
John

Look at this post

forum.linuxcnc.org/9-installing-linuxcnc...rors?start=20#131411

Thanks for your help, but having read that post, I realise that that my 80 year old brain is not going to cope with the changes that have occurred since the last time I used linuxcnc, about ten years ago. While I can cope with terminal, and follow instructions, not being able to understand 90% of the content is worrisome.

I've brought over from UK an hdd with ubuntu 8.04 and linuxcnc installed on it, so I might try installing that in my desktop here in USA in order to once again get some chips flying.
Thanks again,
John
EDIT
Glutton for punishment, I tried a completely new install, but this time with the LAN connection, and all seems to be well.
As the wireless connection seems to be problematic, I can always use the LAN on occasions to update.

All you have to do is edit your /etc/apt/sources.list to reflect what is in the grey box.

Then create a text file as mentioned next with the contents as per the 2nd grey box.

It's all just simple edting of text files.

easy as in a terminal:
then:
All it is doing is setting up debian to be able to install & upgrade programs.

Depending on your Motherboard Ubuntu 8.04 may not have support for your hardware....which could mean a whole world of trouble..unless you are ok with compiling kernels & kernel modules. IMHO editing two text files is a whole lot less trouble

Thanks for that heads up. I know now where to come to, if I need it !
Regards
John