How to use internet on linux

make sure the network card drivers are installed.

Wow, I'm sorry but it's basically impossible to assist you with the dearth of information you've given us.

Which distribution?

How are you attempting to connect to the internet? 802.11(abgn)? Ethernet? Dialup? Mobile phone DUN tether? Other?

Just that basic information will give us a place to start looking, or I suppose you could just go back to using Windows 7 since it seems to work for you.

Dear Sir,

Was this a Windows-specific card? I daresay I have faced this troublesome spectacle over the course of serving in the King's army as

Colonel Sir Mackenzie Panic, IDE

try to find the network icon in the Linux panel, left click it, then left click something that looks like "auto eth0". see if that works.

if it does you can set it to connect to the internet automaticly by:
1. left click the icon
2. click "edit connections"
3. under "wired" click the name of your connection (the same as in the list i.e. 'auto eth0;)
4. click 'edit'
5. put your password in for the admin prompt if necessary
6. click the checkbox 'connect automaticly' under 'wired'
7. click 'save' do the prompt if necessary
8. click 'close'

now you will connect automaticly each time you boot. to disconnect left click the icon and click 'disconnect'