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Old 07-22-2004, 01:00 PM   #1
Dasc
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First install


Hi all!

I'm a new debian wannabe-user (officially installed on my system from 6 hours ago :P). I've no experience in linux installing (if we don't count a mandrake install of some months ago) altough I've developed on a remote linux machine for quite some time (and developing is the reason why I'm installing debian on my machine). probably the newbie forum would have been a better place to ask these questions but since some of them are debian-specific here we go..

1) esthetic: i've had some problems during the install process, in a few words I was unable to launch any wm until I disabled the kernel framebuffer option. now it runs but I have 2 probs:
a) in XF86Config-4 default resolution is set to 1280x960, but I need it to be 1024x768. I've read somewhere that I'd have to use a "control panel" to change this sort of settings but really I've searched everywhere and there is nothing like it apart from the control center, that doesn't let me change anything apart some minor options (someone suggested that for some reason I miss some packege: where this utility is supposed to be? I can try to reinstall it). just to try it I've manually modified XF86Config-4 to set 1024 as the default and it works (but I know it interfers with debian configuration system.), the problem is the desktop is still 1280x960 so I have to pan around :| (same effect using kvidtune)
b) the wm became immortal: every time I kill it with ctrl+alt+backspace it respawns again: how can I make it rest? (apart from cutting its head with a katana, I mean :P) also, what exactly I need to play with to decide wether to start it automatically at boot or not?
p.s.: I'm using a GeForce256 with nv drivers in case it matters

2) network: I've noticed that debian doesn't recognise my card (asustek/broadcom 4400 10/100 integrated on the motherboard - A7V8X) so I downloaded the driver from the asus site and I tried to install it, but it needs a modversions.h to compile. after some googling I found out that it is a file produced during kernel build so I installed kernel sources, recompiled them and so the driver compile worked too, but trying to insmod it it tells me that it is not compatibile with current kernel version (current kernel -> 2.4.18-bf2.4, driver kernel 2.4.18). I've not substituted the new kernel due to some weird settings I compiled it with (I did a manual make). so is there a simple way to rebuild the kernel using the same options the actually running one uses? or some other way to obtain a not-so-weird kernel?

solving point 2 would be particularly useful since I would be able to search manuals, faqs and howtos directly from linux while now I have to reboot in win everytime -_-

if someone can help me, thanks in advance ^_^
Daniele
 
Old 07-22-2004, 02:29 PM   #2
macondo
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I would re-install and this time, use the instructions from the first article on the list after my post, from Clinton De Young:

The Very Verbose Debian 3.0 Installation Walkthrough http://osnews.com/story.php?news_id=2016

At the end, when you get to the part where it tells you to install x-window-system, add the following packages:

#apt-get install x-window-system discover mdetect read-edid icewm icewm-themes
locales

#dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

here, you will be able to choose your resolution

reboot, and you should be in X.

Then read the second article, parts 1 and 2

Debian: Not Just Another Pretty Face from Robert Storey
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?res...review-debian2

In it, you will find all kinds of tips on how to configure Debian after the installation, things like fonts, sound, printer, how to dist-upgrade to Sarge or Sid. Also read the APT-HOWTO.

Sometimes the long road, is the shortest one. Do it right the first time and it will save you from unnecessary problems later on.

Last edited by macondo; 07-22-2004 at 02:30 PM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 05:19 PM   #3
HappyTux
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Re: First install

Quote:
Originally posted by Dasc
Hi all!

I'm a new debian wannabe-user (officially installed on my system from 6 hours ago :P). I've no experience in linux installing (if we don't count a mandrake install of some months ago) altough I've developed on a remote linux machine for quite some time (and developing is the reason why I'm installing debian on my machine). probably the newbie forum would have been a better place to ask these questions but since some of them are debian-specific here we go..

1) esthetic: i've had some problems during the install process, in a few words I was unable to launch any wm until I disabled the kernel framebuffer option. now it runs but I have 2 probs:
a) in XF86Config-4 default resolution is set to 1280x960, but I need it to be 1024x768. I've read somewhere that I'd have to use a "control panel" to change this sort of settings but really I've searched everywhere and there is nothing like it apart from the control center, that doesn't let me change anything apart some minor options (someone suggested that for some reason I miss some packege: where this utility is supposed to be? I can try to reinstall it). just to try it I've manually modified XF86Config-4 to set 1024 as the default and it works (but I know it interfers with debian configuration system.), the problem is the desktop is still 1280x960 so I have to pan around :| (same effect using kvidtune)
b) the wm became immortal: every time I kill it with ctrl+alt+backspace it respawns again: how can I make it rest? (apart from cutting its head with a katana, I mean :P) also, what exactly I need to play with to decide wether to start it automatically at boot or not?
p.s.: I'm using a GeForce256 with nv drivers in case it matters

2) network: I've noticed that debian doesn't recognise my card (asustek/broadcom 4400 10/100 integrated on the motherboard - A7V8X) so I downloaded the driver from the asus site and I tried to install it, but it needs a modversions.h to compile. after some googling I found out that it is a file produced during kernel build so I installed kernel sources, recompiled them and so the driver compile worked too, but trying to insmod it it tells me that it is not compatibile with current kernel version (current kernel -> 2.4.18-bf2.4, driver kernel 2.4.18). I've not substituted the new kernel due to some weird settings I compiled it with (I did a manual make). so is there a simple way to rebuild the kernel using the same options the actually running one uses? or some other way to obtain a not-so-weird kernel?

solving point 2 would be particularly useful since I would be able to search manuals, faqs and howtos directly from linux while now I have to reboot in win everytime -_-

if someone can help me, thanks in advance ^_^
Daniele
1a) Can you post /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 you are using and the /var/log/XFree86.0.log files so we can see what is going on.

1b) CTRL + ALT + F1 then login to the console once there /etc/init.d/?dm stop to stop whichever display manager is running. Replace the ? with x,k,g,x. If you want it not to start at all then update-rc.d -f remove ?dm to remove the startup links again replace the ? with the proper letter.

2) You need to recompile the drivers with the proper headers or source tree installed. You can recompile the kernel sources that you have now and use --append-to-version=bf2.4 when using make-kpkg in the kernel compile line then you will have a matching version number. While were on the subject of kernels you are still running the install kernel there are security problems with that version and the package system knows nothing about it so it will never tell you to upgrade you should upgrade to another either by compiling a new one yourself or using apt to install one once you get the networking going. Also I believe with newer 2.4 kernels(IIRC .25 or .26) you will have the broadcom driver as a compile option in the kernel itself.


Edit: You may want to be using modprobe instead of insmod, with modprobe it will load any other modules that are needed insmod will not do that.

Last edited by HappyTux; 07-22-2004 at 05:27 PM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 05:22 PM   #4
HappyTux
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Quote:
Originally posted by macondo
I would re-install and this time, use the instructions from the first article on the list after my post, from Clinton De Young:


Debian is not windows unless you totally screw it up (rm -rf /) there is usually very little need to every re-install.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 07:27 PM   #5
Dasc
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well I was going to reinstall anyway, since I screwed something (probably about ethernet) and every operation was taking really a lot of time (yeah, I'd have preferred not to do a windows-like reinstall but not knowing exactly what to do to fix it
while(1) {
search_for_some_info_on_the_net();
reboot_debian();
wait_a_lot_of_time_to_have_apps_running();
try_the_new_tip_and_fail();
reboot_on_win();
}
was not a good idea.. :P)

1) after the reinstall the situation is really like the one I got before (apart for the delayed actions). assuming the wm respawning prob is solved (I don't really need to disable it atm, it's enough to know how to do it, thanks ^_^)
the resolution issue is still there
here we go with the files (luckily enough I have a FAT32 HD, it seems I have to do something "special" to write on mounted NTFS patitions..)

XF86Config-4
XFree86.0.log

I tried to change the Screen section values to have 1024x before 1280x (but it's within the DEBCONF section..) but the only result was to change the default resolution (as expected) but not the desktop size (still 1280x960)

2) you hit the spot: just having a working network would solve lots of problems.. I've tried your suggestion and it happily compiled but insmod complained about lots of unresolved external symbols
to make it more clear these are the steps suggested in the readme file that comes with the asus drivers
*unzip the file and enter the src dir*
make (outputs bcm4400.o)
insmod bcm4400.o (complains about unresolved external symbols)
make install (fails cause of the unresolved external symbols)

I tried also modprobe, it returned another kind of error but I didn't note it down. I can do it if it's a relevant info

Last edited by Dasc; 07-22-2004 at 08:59 PM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 07:28 PM   #6
Dasc
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void

Last edited by Dasc; 07-22-2004 at 08:39 PM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 07:29 PM   #7
Dasc
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void

Last edited by Dasc; 07-22-2004 at 08:40 PM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 07:49 PM   #8
Dead Parrot
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One possible solution for your network problem would be to reinstall Debian using the new Sarge beta4 installer (110 MB download). Boot it with "linux26" and you get 2.6 kernel that has better support for network cards.

http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
 
Old 07-22-2004, 07:50 PM   #9
macondo
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"Debian is not windows unless you totally screw it up (rm -rf /) there is usually very little need to every re-install."

If the installation is incorrect as i suspect, the re-installation would take an hour at most. If he follows the instructions in the article TO THE LETTER, there should be no problem.

I just finished fixing some problems in which the new user did not know what he was doing, after 20 posts and several days we fixed it. What is an hour compared to that?
 
Old 07-22-2004, 08:03 PM   #10
macondo
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Are you using kernel 2.6 by any chance?

Are you using a 17" monitor?

Most monitors of this size use a vertical freq of 50-160, you have 120, check that, and make sure it's the correct vertical frequency. With that video card you should have no problems with a 24 or 16 bit color depth.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 08:55 PM   #11
Dasc
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it is a 15" monitor, vertical and horizontal frequencies are taken directly from the manufacturer's site (it's an LG monitor, model 57M)

anyway the problem shouldn't be related to the monitor itself, I'm able to change the screen resolution at will (the only detail I miss is how to set 1024x as the default resolution without manually edit XF86Config-4 since it would be overwritten by future use of debconf)
the problem is that while I change screen resolution, Desktop size remains the same (1280xsomething) and so I have to pan around and I don't know how to avoid it

about the installation as I said in previous posts (ok they weren't readable at all :P I've removed all the file content and put 2 links) I'm using kernel 2.4.18, I installed Woody Realease from cd using bf24 option

I don't know if the install is "incorrect" but it seems more like a metter of just setting something somewhere (I assume there's a place where I can set desktop size), but I can easily be wrong

about installing sarge, 2.6 kernel etc I'd prefer, if possible, to stay with the 'stable' version, at this point it should be just matter of correctly installing the driver (I'm not used at all in installing kernel modules, otherwise I would have tried to solve that myself :| )
then I'll upgrade stuff from the net

maybe I've missed some info, in case please refer to my previous posts, they should be far more readable now

Last edited by Dasc; 07-22-2004 at 09:00 PM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 09:26 PM   #12
Dead Parrot
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Quote:
about installing sarge, 2.6 kernel etc I'd prefer, if possible, to stay with the 'stable' version
Sarge will soon become the next stable release. But OK, if you want to use the NIC driver provided by the Linux kernel you need to download kernel-source package version 2.4.22 or later and "roll your own" to get support for your netcard. While configuring the kernel, make sure you enable "development features" or else you won't find the option for broadcom 4400 in menuconfig.

How to download packages to your Debian partition without a working network connection? I'm not going to go into details but as a hint I can tell you that it's doable from Knoppix. Latest versions of Knoppix should support your NIC with no problems. Ask for more advices in Knoppix user forum.

The resolution problem should be easily soved. First do "dpkg-reconfigure debconf" and choose "low" priority level (if you haven't already done that). This will make DebConf ask you all the possible questions. Then do "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86" and at the point where you can choose resolutions, just coldly remove "x" from the "1280x1024" option in the list.

(There. Had to edit this a bit but now it should be OK.)

Last edited by Dead Parrot; 07-23-2004 at 04:33 AM.
 
Old 07-22-2004, 09:55 PM   #13
macondo
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"it is a 15" monitor, vertical and horizontal frequencies are taken directly from the manufacturer's site (it's an LG monitor, model 57M)"


OK, then we don't have to worry about that.

"anyway the problem shouldn't be related to the monitor itself, I'm able to change the screen resolution at will (the only detail I miss is how to set 1024x as the default resolution without manually edit XF86Config-4 since it would be overwritten by future use of debconf)
the problem is that while I change screen resolution, Desktop size remains the same (1280xsomething) and so I have to pan around and I don't know how to avoid it"


Like Dead Parrot said 'dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86" will give you the option to choose the resolution you want. Sections 9 and 10 of the first article, explains how to go about it. Obviously you didn't read it.

"about the installation as I said in previous posts (ok they weren't readable at all :P I've removed all the file content and put 2 links) I'm using kernel 2.4.18, I installed Woody Realease from cd using bf24 option"

OK

"I don't know if the install is "incorrect" but it seems more like a metter of just setting something somewhere (I assume there's a place where I can set desktop size), but I can easily be wrong"

Why don't you know if installation is correct? Did you follow the instructions
or are you guessing without knowing what you are doing? I gave the recipe to a good installation and you didn't do it.



"about installing sarge, 2.6 kernel etc I'd prefer, if possible, to stay with the 'stable' version, at this point it should be just matter of correctly installing the driver"

What driver are you talking about? Did you look for it with:

#modconf


"(I'm not used at all in installing kernel modules, otherwise I would have tried to solve that myself :| )
then I'll upgrade stuff from the net"

your choice.


"maybe I've missed some info, in case please refer to my previous posts, they should be far more readable now"

That was the purpose of reading the article, to avoid these problems.

Did you do this like i told you to?:

#apt-get install x-window-system discover mdetect read-edid icewm icewm-themes

No?
 
Old 07-23-2004, 06:35 AM   #14
Dasc
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thanks dead-parrot, I'll try the kernel thing asap (I've already a knoppix cd, I used it to manage partitions I was going to install debian on, and in fact it correctly detects my card)
about this I've a little question: the default kernel (I mean the one that comes with the cd) is compiled with default options or with a different option set? assuming I will only change the development feature thing, everything else should be ok as it is?

about the graphic issue
1) no, I was not in low mode, I was in medium one, but it seems the reconfig steps were the same
2) yep thanks I've removed the 1280x entry and now the effect is what I wanted.
but I've still one queston: now I've a 1024x768 desktop and 1024x768 screensize. if I switch to 800x600 screensize the desktop is still 1024x768 (of course it's the same behaviour as before). is it how it is supposed to work (at least with the software present on the woody cd)? or it depends on the fact that I'm using the nv drivers instead of official nvidia ones (or something else)?



Macondo, I really thank you for the time you spend trying to help me, but please don't assume I'm SO lame
I've read all the documentation you pointed out to me, and even more since I read also a couple of articles from the same author of the second link
and NO, I've not followed the step-by-step instruction just because I'm probably wrong but a desktop size problem didn't seem to me worth of another reinstallation (I'm at 5 now..)
but YES, I've run all the reconfig you told me and there was nothing about a desktop size setting separeted from a screen size one.
also my main problem was about the ethernet card and it wouldn't have been solved with a reinstall
p.s.: about the missed info thing, I was referring to my own posts not to the documentation you pointed out. you have to forgive me but english is not my native language, so it's possible to incur in bad phraseology from my side
 
Old 07-23-2004, 07:20 AM   #15
Dead Parrot
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Before doing "make menuconfig" you can copy the file called "config-<kernel version>" from /boot to /usr/src/linux and rename it to ".config" in order to start kernel configuration with the same options that your current kernel has.


Quote:
if I switch to 800x600 screensize the desktop is still 1024x768
You've probably already mentioned what X environment you have and what method you use to switch from one screensize to another, but I'm too lazy to re-read this whole thread to find that out. You could try Ctrl-Alt with "+" and "-". Hope this helps.
 
  


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