Linux Noob needs help with Setup for X Gnome

dcell · 08-31-2004, 02:27 AM

Hello, My former roommate got me to download Debian so I did the whole CD Iso thing and installed it. But I have ZERO idea of how to get Gnome to work. I have used it before, but my roommate (who is now gone) did all the setup on it.

Can someone please tell me how to download and what to do for Gnome. I screwed up the installation process so it installed the VERY bare minimum for me. I'm logged on as root.

Just to warn you, I don't understand any linux lingo and I have only used linux to program for classes so please insure directions are very explicit.

Thanks for the help.

dcell · 08-31-2004, 02:37 AM

Perhaps if I restate the question:

If you were me and you were looking at the root prompt and you wanted to install Gnome you would type ___________________ ? Or I should visit http://___________________________ ? For an in-depth tutorial.

Thanks

dcell · 08-31-2004, 03:27 AM

Well okay then...

No ideas huh? I didn't know X was so rare.

Anyway. I like Linux. Perhaps someday its mass market potential will be realized when Linux is more accessible to the "common man". Right now, it is almost forbiddingly unaccessible to new users, even new users who are comfortable with computers, perhaps in a couple years Linux will be accessible to all! Doesn't stop me from trying, but I definately won't be giving up Windows anytime soon on my laptop and new desktop, I'll save the Linux tinkering for my old desktop now turned server.

DCell

m_yates · 08-31-2004, 06:49 AM

Type:

Code:

apt-get update
apt-get install x-window-system
apt-get install gnome gdm

You can also read documentation on apt at debian.org

macondo · 08-31-2004, 07:18 AM

Please read the thread entitled:

"Debian Configuration Post-Install"

the first part applies to you, you might solve your problems by reading some of the articles quoted there.

dcell · 08-31-2004, 08:41 AM

Ahhh. Thanks. Now I'm getting Fatal Server Error: No Screens Found. When I type startx. Anything for this, the internet has a ton of shit about this, but more in the form of "I updated my drivers and got ..." vs. "I fixed this by.... " thanks.

DCell

m_yates · 08-31-2004, 09:00 AM

There is probably something wrong with your configuration. It could be a host of things. To configure things properly, you will need to know the correct refresh rates for your monitor, the type of video card you have, and the amount of video ram you have. You can then run "xf86config" as root to create a new configuration file. There is a good guide here: http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/...?postid=313121 I know it says Slackware, but it works the same in Debian. You will need to read it carefully.

You can also run "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86" to redo the Debian configuration.

Another option is to boot a live CD, such as Knoppix, Mepis, Morphix, etc. And copy the working configuration to your hard drive. In Knoppix, you would boot the PC, open a terminal and type:

Code:

su
mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1
cp /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 /mnt/hda1/etc/X11/XF86Config-4
reboot

That is assuming you have Linux installed on hda1 (first partition of the master hard drive).

dcell · 08-31-2004, 08:46 PM

Okay, the configurator might work if I just do brute force on it until I get a combination that works.

Maybe this is easier to do: When my roommate had setup the X. It was simply a process running on the Linux server. I would connect using Reflections X and do all my Linux stuff from a Windows machine. So I guess the question is, does X still need a monitor or graphics card if it is setup like that?

Thanks.

jwn7 · 08-31-2004, 09:56 PM

i just went through the same exact thing. if you scroll down the first page you'll see my thread.

anyway this is what worked for me. i had to reinstall everything and type 'bf24' at the boot prompt to use the 2.4 kernel. if you didn't do that, you're stuck with the 2.2 which apparently is a very bad thing.

then

Code:

#su
#apt-get install discover mdetect read-edid
#apt-get install x-windows-system
#dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

as said, you will need the correct refresh rates as well as all video card driver information. if you don't have this, get it now before you screw with anything, as it's hopeless. ask me how i know

most stuff should autodetect, at least it did for me.

Code:

#apt-get install gnome*
#apt-get install gdm

hopefully everything works out.