Inspiron 1520 Ubuntu 8.04 problems

[ksaul]

This is my first time using a Linux platform and all my friends recommended Ubuntu, and I must say I LOVE IT! If it wasnt for some required programs (office, photoshop) I need for school I would leave windows completely.

But I have ran into some problems aswell and I am hoping to find the answers :)

- Sound
I notice that only my Right speaker works. My left speaker doesnt produce any sound?

- Display Driver
When I went to enable Normal Visual Effects for uBuntu I was asked to download a nvidia driver. After the driver was installed and I rebooted, my screen went 80% SOLID white and 20% SOLID black. I opened up the terminal (ctrl+alt+f1) and changed nVidia to nv and I was able to view the screen again.

But this didnt enable me to enable the visual Effects, uBuntu I'm guessing thinkgs the driver still hasnt been downloaded.

Is there a fix to any of these problems?
For only having 2 problems on a fresh install, I must say I was impressed

[Caponetta]

First off, the speakers may be a hardware problem. Make sure all wires are plugged in completely. There may also be a sound panel that lets you change the balance. If you can find the balance controls make sure its in the middle.

As for the nvidia problem im not sure.

p.s.

Ubuntu has its own version of MS Office and Photoshop
Open Office and Gimp
Also, there is a way to get adobe photoshop running in Ubuntu 8.04 using wine. I'l look for an article.

[ksaul]

First off, the speakers may be a hardware problem. Make sure all wires are plugged in completely. There may also be a sound panel that lets you change the balance. If you can find the balance controls make sure its in the middle.

As for the nvidia problem im not sure.

p.s.

Ubuntu has its own version of MS Office and Photoshop
Open Office and Gimp
Also, there is a way to get adobe photoshop running in Ubuntu 8.04 using wine. I'l look for an article.

Ahh! I feel like a dumby!! I had to adjust the slider to the middle lol

Thanks for showing me open office, i will definitely use this for documents and spreadsheets, but some of my classes are hands-on and require me to use Microsoft. Im sure that Open Office and Microsoft Office arent identical.