Debian network install problem

[SilentDeath]

I thought I would try linux again as I expect it is easyer to install properly now (I last tryed about 5 years ago I think).

I used "debian-31r0a-i386-netinst.iso"

[edit2]Think I know whats wrong. The error mesages which show the address of the file it wants has "_" instead of "/" for part of it. Not sure how to edit it...?
[/edit2]

[edit]After selecting a mirror, it connects fine but thefile it wants isnt on the mirrors.

Message comes up telling me to do "apt-get update" so I ALT-F2, then "su" (else I get permission denied) and it says "Reading Package Lists... Done"

If I then ALT-F1 back, and try the mirror again, still doesnt work...

With some mirrors it says its downloading a file 1700KiB or 3300KiB but it just stays at 0%.

I tryed "aptitude", however the list did not update.


[/edit]

[mike_w]

So after selecting a mirror, it tries to fetch packages, but can't connect? You could try downloading the first full CD - that has enough packages to let you in to a proper system, and from there you should be able to change the settings accordingly.

Just so that you know, I don't really know what I'm talking about. I think it might be best to wait for directhex, or someone who knows what they're talking about.

Actually, got another idea. Take out the network cable when you begin. When it attempts autodetection, it will fail. Plug the network cable back in, and then set up the settings manually.

[SilentDeath]

Decided to download the first disk.

However not sure what image I want for my AMD64 cpu. I assume theres no point in getting a 32bit version if theres a 64bit version I can use?

Now a problem: before the netinst cd I started downloading debian-31r0a-amd64-binary-1.iso (4.37GiB) over bittorrent.

However I cant find this any more on the debain site, and I accidently downloaded a IA64 netinst image before the i386 one. So is this amd64 image really amd64, or is it IA64?

Currently downloading the i386 cd1 image (cba to wait for dvd image..)

[ikonia]

amd64 is amd64 only - not ia64.

if your having trouble with a mirror - why not try another one ?

unless you have a need or an interest I wouldn't bother with the amd64 version at this stage (you sound like your fairly new to linux)

Not everything works with the AMD image, and there is good support (unofficial) from debian on it as it is not a "valid platform" yet.

If you want to get to grips with debian and have an easy introduction, just select the 32bit i386 version.

You can always rebuild later. But there are a few bugs/issues with the amd64 version, even when its running

[directhex]

http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/un...l/sarge-amd64/

remember, many download apps can't cope with files over 2gb (bittorrent can)

[SilentDeath]

Tryed with Etch9-7-05 which seemed to detect my NIC differently and quicker, but the install script was b0rked so now Im trying Sid5-8-05.... and running out of cd's

[SilentDeath]

Sid detected my nvidia NIC this time, but still didnt work.


Im told the 2.6.8.2 kernel doesnt include the drivers I need, so instead of trying to put them on myself (as I have no idea how) im going to try changing the kernel to "linux-image-2.6.12-1-k7_2.6.12-1_i386.deb"


Debian doesnt work with nforce4 boards without much effort.... I assumed I would only have problems with my x850xtpe

[directhex]

i've heard horror stories for nforce4 and linux (with a less than 2.6.12 kernel, anyway)

you _MIGHT_ get some joy with http://tinyplanet.ca/~lsorense/amd64/ - no promises though!

[SilentDeath]

[edit]I seem to remember when I tryed slackware7 there was a program for reading/writing to ext2 partitions. Is there such a tool for reiserFS?[/edit]




horror stories


Asuming I can work out how to mount my cd drive, Im told to do this:
dpkg --install /media/cdrom/linux-image-2.6.12-1-k7_2.6.12-1_i386.deb

But I have no idea whats after that, I assume it will all just work .... or go horribly wrong.


What else is there apart from debian? Im trying it as the guide you wrote a year ago made it look easy
Knoppix 3.9 seems to work fine (which is 2.6.11.10) so I assume theres others that would also work...

[directhex]

i'm afraid i can't advise much, i've been using debian fine on my k8t890, and whever i use a different distribution i end up in a fiery rage (which is great, seing as i'm paid to be a red hat sysadmin)

i should probably get that guide updated or somethign at some point. extra knowledge, and all that.

[SilentDeath]

eth1 is the NIC im trying to use (the marvell one, eth0 is the nvidia one).

on boot, ifconfig -a and with dmesg I get this:

eth1: --error--
class: internal software error
nr: 0x19e
msg: vdp: cannot read VDP keys

eth1 does have ip addresses and stuff further down....

[directhex]

how very odd

can you try reporting it on the debian-amd64@lists.debian.org mailing list? even if you get bored & give up, it might help someone in future

[ikonia]

Try not using the 64bit version, there have been problems with certain 64bit gigbit drivers building, but not working properly and it can depend on the bus they are hanging off.

If this is your first dip in the water which it sounds like, use a more proven platform such as the 32bit debian build.

[SilentDeath]

I am using the 32bit version (note the kernel image name above).

I seem to have got it working, either from using a different server for apt-get, or from editing /etc/network/interfaces (with settings that are the same as it was getting from dhcp).

Ill try other servers, see if changing interfaces was the fix.


41% downloaded over netinstall. 18mins left @ 255kB/s

strangely, when it asked what packages to install (desktop/printserver/file server/webserver etc..) I did "manualy select packages" yet I havent been asked to select anything yet.. I assume its doing desktop

[SilentDeath]

All working!!!! This post is from debian/mozilla 1.7.8.

problems/things I dont yet know how to do:

Add a thing in /media/ for my windows NTFS partition which is SDA4. Edit /etc/fstab properly so that I can mount it.

Network: how do I login to my win2k pc's? the link to my spare pc is smb://MPC/ but I need to change that to include username and password

Installing firefox. I looked on aptitude but the most recent version is 1.04.
How do I install the 1.06 from firefox's site which is a .tar.gz.
Is there a .deb version?

Xfree86 running in 1280*1024, however it feels like its in 800*600, everything is much bigger than it should be. How do I change that?

Havent yet installed drivers for my X850XTPE. Currently using vesa drivers.

Mouse: logitech mx310 (5btn optical wired wheelmouse). Not sure how to set up the buttons, really *need* mb4/5 to be backwards and forwards for web browsing in firefox (when I work out how to install it)

[aidanjt]

NTFS support for linux is bad at best, it can read ok, but writting support is nearly non-existant, you've the option to convert the fs to fat32 (vfat to linux), or put up with readonly access to /dev/sda4, read `man fstab` and `man mount` for more info on this, however adding the following line to /etc/fstab will probibly be sufficent:
/dev/sda4 <tab> /media/ntfs-shared <tab> ntfs <tab> guid=100,umask=550,ro <tab> 0 0

this will mount the ntfs partition read only for user of the system in the group 'users'.

again, samba client support is touchy, smbmount command is more stable than the gui equivilant in gnome, kde handles it better.. you could add another fstab for that but add the user option so the user can mount/unmount the samba share.. man smbmount has more detailed info on this.

google for deb packages, 1.0.6 is probibly marked 'unstable' by debian developers, but they'll have a package for that version for the purpose of testing.

Depends on the Window manager, need more info.

lol, this will be fun... ATI's website has binary drivers available, and they rock with OpenGL stuff, xmms's OpenGL spectrum annalizer and UT2004.. But a pain in the arse to setup sometimes.

Remember as far as your X server is concerned, mouse movements up and down is considered a different button, my mouse has 4 buttons (left, right, click mousewheel, side button), but it needs to be configured as 6.. hopefully xfreeconfig will have the right idea oob. I'll get back to you for more specific instructions