Well, this was an interesting, but wasted afternoon. As my previous post indicated, decided to try Debian, but obviously am not going to be able to. Here's why:

1. Downloaded both the i386 and 64bit versions. Tried both, got the splash screen, entered "expert" to boot, went through the language, keyboard, etc. routine. It detected and examined the CD and found the right things. Detected my network cards just fine. But then....

2. Configure network: Failed

3. Detect Disks: Obviously failed because it only gave me the option to automatically partition (in other words, wipe everything else out.) I had created a 20GB partioning to install to and never saw mention of it anywhere in the install process, It was located at /dev/sdb2 (or hd1,1, however it might have been seen.) Tried several times going through the list of options, same rersult.

Well, obviously, I had to abort this one. Seems it just doesn't like my computer. I don't believe it was the SATA drives because it did select a module for that. Didn't understand the network config since it found both cards. I read the installation instructions (offical from the sight), no remedy there.

Just an information post, really, since it is not that important. When I saw that I was only getting a 2.4 kernel in a "testing" distro, I don't really want it anyway. I was surprised, though, given the size of the Debian user community and the Debian influence all across the Linux world, that this was not a little more "up to date". Still, with all I hear of Debian, I will find an alternative method of installation. I believe experiencing Debian is important because of its influence on Linux as a whole.

Oh, well. Another day, another experience.

Bob

I think you got your cd from an 'unofficial' source. That kind of problem seems to be common if you don't use the official Debian release. Best bet is to get the Etch netinstal cd for your hardware here.

If you can't use the netinstal (no broadband) get official Debian installation media here.

Hi rickh,

Thank you for your reply/response. However, your links is exactly where I downloaded from (official Debian site). I have not tried the netinstall and I do have a pretty quick broadband connection. Thank you for that information.

Bob

You have to be careful. There are links on Debian's official site which connect you to unofficial sources for the complete cd sets. Netinstal (and Etch) is a much more satisfactory solution anyway. 100MB .iso, and you're on your way.

Thank you, downloading netinstall now. If I am, I download, burn it, boot with it, and follow instructions?

Bob

Right. Check out DeadParrot's post #32 on page 3 of this thread, for a mini-howto particularly aimed at Slackers.

Thanks,

I really appreciate your help. As a matter a fact the netinstall cd worked and it is installing now. Everything I expected to see was there. So far,a really smooth install. And it did offer the choice of the 2.5.15 kernel (which I selected.)

You were certainly right about the previous downloads, they must have been duff.

Thanks again

Bob

Many thanks to rickh. Debian etch is up and running with very few tweaks needed (only need to get the sources.list correct, that is running amok). Had to install gstreamer to get sound to work, and display was a little off but corrected now.

So, I have a lot to learn here.

Thanks again

Bob

So, Debian does like your computer after all

Welcome to the Debian community

Thank you, Dutch Master. As a Slackware and Fedora user, this will be a good learning experience for me. Debian has had so much influence on the entire Linux community (i.e. so many offshoot distros), I knew the Linux experience/training would not be complete until I learned it.

Thanks

Bob