I install debian, and set it fine, then i do fdisk and load grub to a floppy. It works, so then it starts the boot up, it asks me the time and my root password and name and username, That all works fine. Then wehn i go to update it it gives me the option of


CD
HTTP
ftp
etc,,,

I tried http and ftp, the only problem is, i never get passed there. Ive chosed about 10 different mirrors and get the same problem. It downloads the updates fine, but then at random parts it just stalls and will sit there for hours, it does nothing.,


what can I do?

You need to be more specific than, "at random parts." What, exactly, does it stop on? Give some examples, please. You also didn't mention what installer you're using.

Theses not really a specifi part, its a sifferent part everytime. Ive tried to install, lets say 30 times and every time its been different. im using the DVD iso of 3.1 R1.

sometimes its before i choose what enviorment i want and sometimes its after.


Its not the internet because my brother can install it fine on his pc. the problem only happens when its extracting the downloaded files.

If you want help, you will need to post specific error messages from the terminals. Press Alt+F2/F3/F4 during the install and watch for errors. When it freezes, post the errors here. Without doing that, we can't possibly help you.

You might want to read this.

There are no errors, it just sits there.

Ok, you need to re-read my last post. If you can't or won't do what I ask, then I can't help you. No offense, but if you just say something like "it doesn't work" again, I won't bother to reply.

Il pass on your help you seem to know less then me.


any other takers on this problem, it seems that it just stalls. there is no error, i tried the command above but it does nothing.

Very well; if you refuse to cooperate, I can't help you. I suggest you try the #debian channel on Freenode and the debian-user mailing list. Perhaps the netinst ISO would work better, too.

How much have you gotten installed then, the base system?
An alternative to the netinst cd would be the free version of MEPIS, a Debian based distro which installs very easily from a live cd and gives you a very good kde based system.

sometimes it gets to right before it asks you what enviorment you wnat to install, then sometimes its right after that. when its extracting the downloaded files.

im not refusing, its that i cant and that there is no error. It just stalls.

Whether there's an error, per se, or not, that's not the point. Before it freezes up, press Alt+F2/F3/F4, like I said before, and find the console with the log messages displayed. When it does freeze, tell us what it did right before it froze, with details. When it does freeze, are any cursors still blinking? Can you Alt+Fx and change ttys? Can you Ctrl+Alt+Del and reboot? Have you tried reburning the disc? Tried another installer ISO? Tried KANOTIX, MEPIS, Xandros, etc? Any details at all? It's like telling a mechanic, "my car doesn't go forward, it just sits there," without giving any details.

You should really read this: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Do you know what "virtual terminals" are? You may well have some error being reported, but you just don't know how to view it.

Virtual terminals are accessed by holding down CTRL and ALT and a numbered function key. Typically CTRL+ALT+F1, CTRL+ALT+F2, CTRL+ALT+F3 etc. Go to one of these virtual terminals and you may see an error. Or at least you might be able to determine what was being attempted when it hung on you. To get back to your original hung terminal it's just one of the virtual terminals. I can't remember which one. I think it might be CRTL+ALT+F5, but you can just try all the various ones and see what it actually is.

[edit]
p.s. - I've often seen it said that virtual terminals are accessed using only ALT+Fx (as blujay suggests). For me, it's always required CTRL+ALT+Fx. I'm not sure what the difference is. I'm assuming that at one time during the boot process it might be ALT+Fx and at a later time it's CTRL+ALT+Fx and I've just never had to access virtual terminals during the ALT+Fx window. Or maybe I'm just full of crap and there's some other reason for the difference. Bottom line: try either/or method and one of those will surely bounce you to a different virtual terminal
[/edit]

Yeah, I think Ctrl is required when X is running; otherwise just plain Alt+Fx works for me.

Well, FINALLY I know the answer to this riddle. Thanks! You're exactly right (I just ran a test to check it out).

CTRL+ALT+Fx always works, whether X is running or not. But ALT+Fx is all that is required if X is NOT running.