Hi all,

Sort of two questions in one.

I have just got my hands on a DEll 715N server. If you are unaware of this box, it is a NAS with no keyboard, mouse or video output (but does have a serial port). At the moment it has 4 120Gb disks 512Mb RAM and I think a 1Ghz processor, so I thought it would be nice for a Slimserver/fileserver.

The Server pxe boots to the laptop no problem, but when I "press enter" to install I loose connection via com 1. I have tested the install against another PC, so I know the pxe boot process is ok - I just can't see what is going on when starting the install process on the server.

Could anyone tell me how to get the console to run from Com1. I have tried net booting to Debian (from my Laptop) with "console=ttys0" added to default parameter files. But this didn't work - probably a syntax problem but as I am only barely above newbie level I am a bit stuck!

Also, is Debian a good choice for a newbie. I don't need a GUI, so text only and once installed I will of course SSH to it.


Any assistance gratefully received!

Regards

Steve

default configuration file changes:

display debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/syslinux.txt
default linux

F1 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f1.txt
F2 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f2.txt
F3 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f3.txt
F4 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f4.txt
F5 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f5.txt
F6 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f6.txt
F7 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f7.txt
F8 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f8.txt
F9 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f9.txt
F0 debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/f10.txt

label linux
kernel debian-installer/i386/linux
append console=ttys0 vga=normal initrd=debian-installer/i386/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=9458 root=/dev/rd/0 devfs=mount,dall rw --
label expert
kernel debian-installer/i386/linux
append DEBCONF_PRIORITY=low vga=normal initrd=debian-installer/i386/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=9458 root=/dev/rd/0 devfs=mount,dall rw --
label linux26
kernel debian-installer/i386/2.6/linux
append vga=normal initrd=debian-installer/i386/2.6/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=10938 root=/dev/rd/0 devfs=mount,dall rw --
label expert26
kernel debian-installer/i386/2.6/linux
append DEBCONF_PRIORITY=low vga=normal initrd=debian-installer/i386/2.6/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=10938 root=/dev/rd/0 devfs=mount,dall rw --

prompt 1
timeout 0

The first serial device is generally ttyS0 not ttys0 (remember, Linux is case sensitive). Also, are you using the right serial mode? You can specify the speed and other parameters as described on this page.

IMHO (soap box moment) there is no "good" or "bad" distro for a newbie. I learned to install on RedHat 7 and learned Linux itself on Slackware 10. Debian, I've heard, is hard, but isn't that what Knoppix is based on? Really there's no good or bad distro to start on. It entirely depends on what you want to do with it, what your previous tech skills are, etc. From my understanding, Slackware makes one hell of server. Good luck. (Stepping down now.)

Arrgh!!!

The inevitability of using M$ products for too long. A dumb mistake of not realising the difference between S0 and s0.

I will be using the server for two things. 1) Build it, break it, fix it - learn Linux and enjoy an operting system that puts you in control, but you need to learn how to control it!!!! And 2) once I've got that sorted, turn it into a Slimserver for my audio collection.

Many thanks for your help - I will make sure I look out for the dumb mistakes in future.

Must remember - Linux is case sensitive, Linux is case sensitive, Linux is case sensitive, Linux is case sensitive.

Thanks

Steve