I'd like to use Debian for one simple reason: the massive amount of software that comes with it.

As I do not have the internet on my home computer, the large range of apps of just about everything you think all ready with all their dependencies on the 14 CD's would be great: as I can't use apt-get / YaST / other installer software etc. , and have to mess with websites like http://rpm.pbone.net trying to find dependent packages on the local library internet connection.


However, I was disappointed to hear that upon installation, you have to set up your hardware manually. Having been pleased with the automatic hardware detection of Fedora and SuSE which I've been using, I really would rather not have to do that, as I'd never be able to do it. (I don't see why I should have to set it up manually to be honest: if the other distros I've tried have managed good automatic hardware detection, why can't Debian?? )


I am aware that I could resolve this by doing a knoppix hardware install, which has v. good automatic hardware detection, but this would defeat the whole object of switching to Debian in the first place, seeing as it only has about 4 CD's worth of software on the Knoppix CD!



So does anyone have any easy solutions for this?
I would like to do Debian, but not if the set up is such a pain.

In the words of someone else:

Eh, Debian does perform hardware autodetection at install time and at every startup. Sure not quite everything might get perfectly set up by it, but it is not like in that quote you brought up that has the feel of it being from many years ago...

The only kind of hardware unlikely to work straight from a Debian install are similar to those in other distros - namely 3D graphics drives, wireless network cards, some audio cards. Maybe if you post your specs, people could advise what you're likely to need, but as the previous poster said, I think your quote is a little dated now. Sure, Debian doesn't have the same kind of hardware detection as Knoppix or Ubuntu, but there's a heap of documentation to get running what doesn't work automatically.

I found Debian incredibly easy to install. The only thing I had to configure further when the install was completed is my nVidia driver--which you have to do for other distros anyway.

I have an old machine, Debian autodetected everything (even sound which most distros fail for me)

the manual package selection at install was a bit of a pain, but since you want everything, that wont matter

14 CDs on your libraries connection? they'll hate you :P

you can find loads of ads on here and elsewhere for cheap distro CDs

I would make one suggestion: Install using the netinst CD available here: http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/ It will install a basic system, then ask you to set up apt. Use your 14 CD's at that point. Then when you want to install something, you will be prompted for the correct CD to insert. The first CD also has the installer, but it is often broken on Etch or Sid CD's, that is why you are better off using the netinst CD for installation.

By the way, the first 4 or so CD's will have virtually everything you need. The packages become more obscure as the CD number increases.

As others have already stated, most hardware is set up automatically.

The original poster said he does not have internet connectivity, so this method won't work. That being said, I think without internet connectivity one would be in a world of hurt trying to install, configure, and initially use any Linux distro. I suppose if you're an old hand at everything related to Linux you could do it, but most everyone I know runs into speedbumps or roadblocks and has to to some web searching of forum posting to figure out how to get past one problem or another. A different computer, close at hand, with internet access would make things easier.

You didn't read or misunderstood my post. I said use the netinst CD to install the base system and when it asks to set up apt, use the CD ROMs instead of the internet connection. It will work. I just did it myself two days ago.

I recently had to install on a PC with no internet connection. I downloaded the first three Etch CD's (dated 11-12-05) and attempted to install using the first one. The installer attempted to autopartition my drive with no interaction from me and then failed. It trashed my partition table. Luckily, I had nothing important on the hard drive. I instead used a netinst CD (Etch beta 1) and it worked perfectly. I used my 3 etch CD's and installed the whole system without an internet connection.

Yes, this method works fine. I have come to distrust other install methods than netinstall
plus net or CDs, as I had the same problem, too.

You're right. I know I read it, but obviously I didn't comprehend it. I can't explain that, because looking at what you wrote, you said it about as clearly as it could be said. My apologies ... I must have been distracted or off in la-la land.

Well thank you very much. I'll try the Net CD. You probably saved me a lot of headache...

As to installing software, yes it *is* a pain without the internet! I had to spend quite a bit of time on rpm search websites to get MP3 support / other stuff I want installed chasing up dependencies!



That quote was only this year though, and Debian does have a slow release cycle, so I hear... I had a look on the website for the next Debian Etch release, but it just said the equivalent of "it'll be ready when it's ready".

So I'm just wondering: 1) How often roughly does Etch get released?
2) How long has it been since the last Etch release?

That way I'll know roughly when to start checking the debian website for the next Etch release, which I'd like to have.

'

The last Stable release of Debian was "Sarge" earlier this year.
The final Etch version is scheduled to be released in Dec. of '06.

EDIT:

Hmmm... I should have posted the question that was here in a new thread. (Wasn't all that directly related to original question)

This doesn't address your 64-bit question, but may be useful info for you.

Although there truly are a lot of packages available to Debian on those CDs, there is going to be a lot of software you may find yourself wanting that aren't included on those CDs. The reason for this is that Debian only uses free software (free in the sense of freedom). Thus a lot of useful software is available to Debian systems that is not included in the distribution CDs. Examples in my home system are my graphics-card drivers and a library file to de-encrypt DVDs. There's plenty more stuff, just look at the source(s).lst sticky at the top of this forum for some ideas. Typically, that stuff is available over the net.

I sympathize with you: my Debian box at work isn't on a network. Linux without a network is kind of like a car without wheels, but it will be useful for you nevertheless. Fortunately for me, I am about at the point of bringing my work machine online.