Can't install packages on Debian Sarge base install

Mark_667 · 01-27-2007, 02:59 PM

I have a Debian Sarge 3.1 Base Install (AMD-64) and can't install packages.

Whenever I use base-config and try the 'configure apt' option it just says I've got a lot of errors on my DVDs and won't read the index files off them. (In fact I had to leave this step out when installing because of this).

I have it plugged into a router so it should be able to access the Internet without any configuration of the system but when I try to use the HTTP or FTP options instead it just says it can't contact them(I tried several of the ones listed - I doubt if all of them are down).

If I try

Code:

apt-get install kde

from root it just says 'can't find package' or something like that. I've tried

Code:

 apt-get upgrade

and

Code:

apt-get update

it does the same. I wanted a light Debian install with just the base system, Gnome (or KDE) and a few other apps but I can't seem to get the latter.

utanja · 01-27-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_667

I have a Debian Sarge 3.1 Base Install (AMD-64) and can't install packages.

Whenever I use base-config and try the 'configure apt' option it just says I've got a lot of errors on my DVDs and won't read the index files off them. (In fact I had to leave this step out when installing because of this).

I have it plugged into a router so it should be able to access the Internet without any configuration of the system but when I try to use the HTTP or FTP options instead it just says it can't contact them(I tried several of the ones listed - I doubt if all of them are down).

If I try

Code:

apt-get install kde

from root it just says 'can't find package' or something like that. I've tried

Code:

 apt-get upgrade

and

Code:

apt-get update

it does the same. I wanted a light Debian install with just the base system, Gnome (or KDE) and a few other apps but I can't seem to get the latter.

Have you installed X? you need X inorder to run gnome...and other GUIS

rickh · 01-27-2007, 04:05 PM

Most of this type of problems can be avoided by installing Etch instead of Sarge. Sarge (Stable) is meant for servers and production workstation environments, not for your home desktop. If you have any hardware newer than a year, there is a good possibility that Sarge doesn't know about it.

Mark_667 · 01-29-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Sarge (Stable) is meant for servers and production workstation environments, not for your home desktop.

Ermm, didn't know about that, I thought if they were going to make a server version they'd call it, I don't know 'Debian Server Edition'? Anyway, the hardware detection seems to work OK.

utanja: I forgot about X. But I can't install anything anyway because even when I try to connect to a listed mirror to download the package information for apt (and am connected to the Internet) it comes back as not being reachable.

If I can't get this fixed soon, I think I'll just download an Xubuntu CD. Thanks for the replies.

JimBass · 01-29-2007, 12:07 PM

What did you think stable meant? if it doesn't change and is rock solid, does that not sound like server?

It sounds like you did not have a clean burn of the iso, and that screwed up your DVD. Also, there is no need at all for the full DVD installer, that is only useful if the machine will not have access to the internet. Get the 150 Mb net install, and try that. Also, as stated above, Etch/testing is going to become stable any day/week/month now. You may as well install it now, or it will be forced on your first update/upgrade after the release.

Peace,
JimBass

farslayer · 01-29-2007, 02:40 PM

It will take longer to upgrade stable to testing than to just install testing from the net-install cd. imho. plus the upgrade between versions will not automatically give you some of the new features, since it will upgrade installed packages but NOT install new features automatically..

The conversion from Xfree to Xorg during the upgrade doesn't always run smooth.. but works fine on a fresh install.

Etch Net-install is the way to go at this point. add another vote.
Debain Etch installer
Debian Etch Netinstall .iso latest daily build