Debian Install Problems
 

Recently I got tired of my fedora core 2 install and decided to switch to debian. I've ran debian on the computer before, it was my only OS for 6 months about. This time I used the testing netinst, but to my horror they didn't support my network card (which is somewhat antiquated). I went back to debian.org and found that the package (e100) wasn't included in the testing release, but it was included in the stable. So i burned another cd with the stable netinst, installed from that, and now it hangs on Loading Linux..... every time, regardless of which kernel or various options I choose. So here's the question: how do I add a package to a netinst to make my own install cd? I looked around debian.org but couldn't find it there. I ultimately want to be running the 2.6 kernel with ext3, so I'd end up upgrading from stable anyway.

Use the new debian-installer and type linux26 at the boot-install prompt. That will install a 2.6 kernel which will most likely have the correct module for your card.

It didn't have the correct module, that was the first method I tried because it would result in the least trouble for me if it had installed correctly. The linux26 just installs a different kernel, the packages that are on the cd remain the same, and ee100 isn't on there. Unless there is some other debian installer program... :-(

The package description for e100-source ( http://packages.debian.org/stable/misc/e100-source ) appears to suggest that the closest equivalent to e100 is eepro100. Have you tried that one?

To follow up, the kernel method you choose will control which kernel modules are available to you. The "driver" for your card is a kernel module, so by using 2.6.x you will have greater support for hardware. As mentioned in the last post, try the alternative driver and see if that does it for you.

But yes, the kernel chosen doesn't affect the rest of the packages either on the media or what's downloaded at install time. Good luck with the eepro100. Let us know how it goes.

I don't have an answer for you.

I try to stay away from anything that is beta. CD 1 & 5 work great for my old box.