[olug] Ubuntu Installation

[Walt Del Vecchio]

Hello, all.
I'm a recent transplant to Nebraska from southern California (please don't
hold this against me).
My 5-yr old Linux box finally burned out after my move a couple of months
ago.
I rebuilt a new system using an AMD FX-8350 CPU on a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
mobo.
UEFI configuration is no problem since it allows a legacy mode.
The hardware came with Windows drivers for Ethernet, USB, RAID1, etc.
configurations, and these work fine when I loaded a spare copy of Windows7.
My problem occurs getting peripherals working with Linux.
I downloaded Ubuntu 12.10 and burned it to a DVD.
After installing it on the new system, only the PS2 keyboard and monitors
worked after getting a Ubuntu login screen.
I had dead Ethernet and USB connections.
RAID1 was no longer configured.
I attempted to obtain Linux drivers from Gigabyte, but they only supported
Windows.
I downloaded Linux Ethernet drivers from Realtek, used on the Gigabyte
board, but still am not sure whether to plow forward or not.

Does anyone have experience or know where I can get help to finish this
installation?
Thank you for your help.
Walt Del Vecchio