Hi, I've installed debian form cd 1 and i boot and it wont start the x windows server and the graphical desktop! Please help. Im a novice

The default run level for that system is 2. Change the run level to 5 and then you will boot up in X. The run level can be changed in '/etc/inittab'. You would see a line similar to something like:

init::2::default

Now change '2' to '5'.

-twantrd

Do you even have X installed? Does it work when you issue the command 'startx'?

AAAAH!!

What do you do with that code (the run level one)? Do you type it in or what?

Anyway, how do I know if i have x installed? I tried startx and it tried 2 start it (i think) and it couldn't. It said display found no compatible or something like that!!!

HELP!!!!!!!!

Thanks

First of all, we need to know what's your video card and other hardwares. The more precise information you give, better !
what your system says with "lspci -v" ?
and with "lsmod" ?
"dmesg | more"
Debian Woody is a good system, but lacks a good hardware support, mainly for desktops.
Depending of your hardware configuration you may need to compile the kernel to support your card, or update Woody to testing version (Sarge) or unstable version (Sid) .

hi, I'm using an ATi Radeon 7000 with a dell 4274 monitor. AMD Duron 1.3 GHz cpu, 256 Mb memory.


also, i tried reinstalling and it worked but only untill i reinstalled to change the default display manager. Now it doesn't work.

Also, if i get it working how would i update kde? Because it is version 2.2.2!

Thanks

I didn´t understand very well ! kde worked, and then stopped work ?

But my advice to you is :

1 - Install the "basic system" with no X. No x-windows-system. It´s not even needed to install anything in tasksel.
2- Make your internet work
3- edit /etc/apt/sources.list . You can keep the file like this :

deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ unstable main non-free contrib

deb http://non-us.debian.org/ unstable/non-US main contrib non-free

deb http://ftp.snt.utwente.nl/pub/softwa...ebian/kde_head unstable/

This will use the "Sid" packages and install the new kde 3.2

4- execute "apt-get update"
5- execute "apt-get dist-upgrade"
6- execute "apt-get install x-windows-system"
7- execute "apt-get install kdewallpapers kdesktop kdesdk-kfile-plugins kdepasswd kdenetwork-kfile-plugins kdemultimedia-kio-plugins kdemultimedia-kfile-plugins kdelibs4 kdelibs-bin kdelibs-data kdegraphics-kfile-plugins kdebase-kio-plugins kdebase-data kdebase-bin kdeaddons-kfile-plugins ark kcalc kcharselect kcmlinuz kcoloredit kcontrol kedit kfind kfloppy kghostview khelpcenter kicker kicker-applets klipper kmenuedit kmix kpersonalizer konsole ksplash ksmserver konqueror kwin desklaunch kicker kdm ttf-bitstream-vera ttf-freefont ttf-xfree86-non-free "

When i did this, apt complained of one or two packages (i didn´t remember which ). I just take them away ´cause they aren´t essencial to kde works.
(surely there is an easy way to install kde on Sid. If someone knows, please tell me!)

8- if some error message appear try (i think it won´t):
"apt-get if install" and later "dpkg --configure -a"
and try to install again.
It may be necessary to run the second command many times. This is an important tip when using Sid.

IF everything goes fine. You will have (at this time) XFree864-3 and kde3.2
working. And know you can install whatever you want.
I hope it helps.

Don't use debian on your 1st linux try. Use something easie like fedora, or mandrake.

Once you've mastered the linux conepts, move onto something more difficult.

dittohead is right !
If you are novice maybe you should try something like Knoppix, Mandrake, Suse,Lycoris, Xandros, Fedora, RedHat...
Installations generally are painless.
But if you are obstinate and want to have control and knows what is on your system...
It´s up to you!

i tried knoppix and mandrake move and I like linux. Debian 3.0r1 looked good so I decided to try it(hence me asking these questions).

Anyway. I understand everything apart from this:

3- edit /etc/apt/sources.list . You can keep the file like this :

deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ unstable main non-free contrib

deb http://non-us.debian.org/ unstable/non-US main contrib non-free

deb http://ftp.snt.utwente.nl/pub/softw...debian/kde_head unstable/


Thanks again.

The default text editor for debian is nano (at least it was when I did my install)

so, on the command-line type :
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
(must do this as root)

then, you will see a text editor come up with the contents of /etc/apt/sources.list

then simply add on the lines suggested at the end, save and exit. All done

What did you not understand ?
How to edit the file ? Or what for?

The "how" anwer was given by urzumph from above, and the "what for":

Maybe you should read APT-HOWTO : (at least the early chapters)

http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/ap...t-howto.en.txt