I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Hey Lorax,

Did you do the install from the NETINST CD of Debian? When you get that prompt
at the console, that means that you are succesfully logged into your new system (console only, no gui, that's why I suspect you installed from the NETINST).

When logged in first thing to do is to see if you have network connection up and configured.

The select and install software step failed may happen when you don't have a network connection up and running.

In order to check that type:
at the prompt and post the results.

Looks like you're getting there, although you're missing your GUI no?

Kind regards,

Eric

I need to know this also: If I want to discard the Debian, and try something else, how do I properly dispose of it, and how do I get rid of the menu that says:
"Boot which OS?
Winders XP
Debian
Debian (blah blah)"

Multiple installs, without ridding of that menu, leaves "junk", traces of all the installs, on that menu.

Hello,

The menu list with the Grub boot options can be easily edited when you're logged in.

Just open it with an editor like nano, vi or something. I think it would be easier if you have a GUI installed, so I wouldn't bother with that right now. One step at the time.

The easiest way to get rid of a complete installation in my opinion is to boot from a GParted CD and just delete the partition. Before that it's handy when you're still logged in to first delete the references to the system you are about to delete from the /boot/grub/menu.lst. This way, after editing the file, rebooting with GParted, deleting the partition and rebooting normal, the 'old' system will not be present in your boot options.

Kind regards,

Eric

Simon, buey. Missing GUI. No, did not netinst. CD only. During the install, it asked me to choose a mirror from a list. Then, proceeded to (appear to) download files, which took 45 min, or so. I would assume there was a connection. It's working fine in winderz obviously. Although, at every winderz install, I do need to manually install the ethernet driver...

Ok Eric, I'm dippin out right now, to check out the connection. Will post as soon as I come back.
Hasta!

-bash: ifconfig: command not found

WTF?? Something's not cozy on that system.

Try:
That should list all interfaces found on your system. At least you should have a lo (loopback) interface.

This seems very strange to me, that it says ifconfig is not found. You did type ifconfig, right? Not ipconfig as in Windoze?

Kind regards,

Eric

Correct. Typed it several times. Now, I will go try this ip addr sh

Back in 7 min or less.

Ciao!

1. lists loopback
2. details of my brighthouse account

Want all of it verbatam?

What's a brighthouse account? How do you normally connect to the internet? Do you have ADSL connection or what form of connection do you have?

Kind regards,

Eric

Brighthouse is a popular ISP/TV/Telephone provider owned by conglomerant TimeWarner.
The connection is broadband, I think it's dsl (7meg down). No, I'm sure.

Ahh, what I should have said:
1. loopback details
2. ethernet details

Ok, and that account info is showing up when you do the ip command? Does it show an IP address? Meaning, is that assigned by DHCP? Or do you have to assign one manual on Windoze too?

Go back and try to ping something, like
Do you know what desktop environment you would like to use? If I recall correct, you only had 512Mb RAM on this beast of yours, right? Freshen up my mind, what CPU did you have in there?

I think KDE or Gnome might be a little heavy, so probably you'd better go with xfce.

Kind regards,

Eric

Can you post the ethernet details?

Yes, #2 eth0: shows an IP. I never need to enter one.
Of the brief experience and demonstrations of Linux, I seem to gravitate toward KDE. The Kubuntu was real eye candy for me, and more so when I was playing with all the minute fine-tune settings!
I have considered xfce. Debian and Xubuntu....
So, go back to the console and simply type "ping www.google.com" at prompt?