Install hardware drivers on Linux Mint?

I am making the switch from WinXP to Linux Mint, but I have a problem. How do I install hardware drivers. For example,my 802.11 wireless card. Can I do it like I did when I was running XP?(Through .exe files) Also, how can I know if my drivers are compatible with Linux Mintsorry total newbie.

Here is the Official Ubuntu Wireless Documentation (also applies to Linux Mint)Cards Supportedhttps://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupportedTroubleshooting/Howto/Generalhttps://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WiFiHowToIn the event of your Wifi card being unsupported you can use Ndiswrapper Here is the Official Ubuntu Ndiswrapper Documentationhttps://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/NdiswrapperLinux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.phpLUg.

just download the Mint .iso, burn it to disk, and run it as a live cd to find out if it works with your wireless card. most of the time it will. I have never had a problem with mint finding and installing my wireless driver. ( or any driver for that matter. ) if there is a problem, just follow the instructions from the guy above.