I just installed Debian 7.3 and try to updated it from DVD. The aptitute and Synaptic are asking to insert DVD to /media/cdrom but do not recognize it (keep asking even when it inserted).
In the /media directory ls lists cdrom and cdrom0 which is a mount point of an actual inserted DVD. So, I have two directories: media/cdrom and /media/cdrom0. Synaptic tries /media/cdrom and does not see /media/cdrom0. I am not sure how to address this. The sources.list file contains cdrom only and cdrom0 cannot be added.

I don't think cdrom and cdrom0 are the problem. One is a symlink to the other and both point to the same device (probably /dev/sr0).

Debian comes on 3 DVD's, which one is asked for?

BTW: What is the reason you update from DVD? That sounds wrong, but I might be overlooking something here. In normal circumstances you update from an on-line debian repository.

Thanks Druuna. The reason I am updating from DVD is that networking does not work. I try to get more networking packages in a hope I'll get there a driver for my WiFi card (Broadcom).
I installed from DVD-1 but also tried the 'updated' DVD-1 (this is a 'fourth' DVD -- updated version of DVD 1); the number on that DVD matches what Synaptic is asking. I tried this also with aptitude command -- the same thing; it keeps asking to insert DVD even though it's there and I can read it from the Home (files). I am not sure the DVD update will help me setup the Internet, but in itself it's a strange problem.

You may be right about cdrom and cdrom0 being the same thing -- I don't know. In the fstab file there is a line with /dev/sr0 ..... cdrom0

Ok, you are trying to install packages.

So you tried both the original DVD you installed from and an updated version?

Have you tried the following (use the original install disk when asked for):

- Start the Synaptic Package Manager,
- select edit
- select Add CD-ROM and follow instructions.

Druuna,

I remember that cdrom is listed in the Synaptic window as a source. I did more though (before). I used 'apt-cdrom add' command and checked the sources.list file, where cdrom is listed as a source. If fact, the cdrom line is duplicated and listed even three times; one line is for the updated DVD and two for the original one; the lines begin with the 'deb' meaning the binary source.
I also tried 'aptitute' command instead of using Synaptic GUI. I get the message that DVD is not mounted. At the same time, I see the DVD drive in the Home directory and can read that DVD... I will try to get online through ethernet port at another location (as I cannot do this at home even from Windows for some reason) and update from the Net, but the DVD situations is still an issue...

Hi. I have a small problem recently close to this on my laptop with a netinst in order to see the CD\DVD-RW drive I have to run the command in a terminal:trying both cdrom0 and\or cdrom it randomly changes between those two so if:doesn't work then:will and vice-versa? Beast wishes and have fun.

Sorry Jam...,

No luck. mount cdrom0 does not work. Synaptic is asking to insert in /media/cdrom
In fstab file I have:
/dev/sr0 /media/cdrom0

Regards

Another take:

When I go to /mnt and type mount cdrom, I get: can't find cdrom in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab

At the same time in /media ls shows: cdrom and cdrom0

So, you have tried: exactly like that plus once more with ...cdrom0 and not:?

Otherwise: http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/mounting-cdrom-in-linux/ .

Yes, I did tried both commands. Maybe I should edit fstab file to change cdrom0 to cdrom (as Synaptic asks); cdrom is just a link to cdrom0; so, maybe this will make Synaptic happy . I am not sure how to edit fstab file; it seems to be read only and not editable in vi or pico; somebody suggested nedit command but it does not work...

Also I have while booting: 'domain name server lwresd failed.' I am not sure this matters...

That might be related to the failure of your networking.


/etc/fstab can only be edited as root. try using sudo in front of your commands. However, be careful when editing any configuration files as mistakes can leave things worse than before.

Do you have access to a wired (ethernet) Internet connection? You should really do the first update and upgrade via a wired connection as ethernet is fully supported for most modern hardware.

Also, keep in mind that your dvd is already mounted, so to mount it in a different place, you should try unmounting it first.

However, that probably won't make any difference as the packages on the install disk are probably all installed already, hence the reason synaptic can't find anything (new) there.

Updating an off-line debian system is possible though using apt-offline

You are probably missing an entry in /etc/fstab which would make manual mounting possible.

You might want to add the following to your /etc/fstab file:The dvd is probably automatically mounted (the default behaviour).

But neither of the above are relevant when dealing with synaptic, apt-cdrom and the lot. These applications will ask you to insert a DVD/CD. This is done even if a DVD/CD is mounted!

You mention in post #5 that you have been playing with apt-cdrom and have multiple entries in your sources.list. It might be a good idea to start with a clean source.list.

As root do the following:
- Make a backup of the original sources.list (cp sources.list sources.list.org)
- Remove all the entries from sources.list (> sources.list)
- Use apt-cdrom to add one or more DVD's (start with the original installation DVD's) Add CDROMs to apt’s sources using apt-cdrom

Once this works and you have your internet connection sorted out you can use the below link to set up a sources list to update using the internet:
- Debian Sources List Generator