Recently installed Debian via transmission (minimal line bash)
 

I recently downloaded Debian Gnu/Linux on system that had Windows. Anyway I got impatient and downloaded Gnewsense, I'm able to boot into gnewsense, but it's an incomplete install, after I got it booted transmission downloaded everything I needed for Debian. The reason I originallly got gnewsense was so I could get Debian. At boot I get the message minimal bash line editing supported, afterwards it goes to Gnewsense. I read the thread change_my_way2010 and I think my situation is diferent. I originally thought it was going to be installed and completed with Grub. where do I go when they've done there job? Also I lookat the X-session errors and don't understand them. At first I didn't know they were there. I just want to complete the project.

Welcome to LQ.
Installing a new gnu/linux can get frustrating, especially if you get impatient and go for shortcuts.

When you boot, you are supposed to get a message "grub stage 1.5 loading - press esc for menu" and then a menu which shows different options to boot into. If you only have one distro, then the menu won't come up. (you have to press escape)

The message "minimal bash line editing" sounds like the grub editor message. If that just flahes past then you end up with gnewsense then you are probably fine. Does gnewsense work ok?

It sounds like the debian install, indeed, did not complete. Do you have any clues why not? We need to know how you intended debian to be installed (dual boot, overwriting gnewsense, what?)

You need to copy and paste the errors to this forum. If you don't tell us what they are we cannot understand them either.

The best-practise for installing debian is to download the iso's then burn them to some media, then boot from the first disk in the media. Can you show me the instructions you were following for the method you chose? It will help me understand what happened.

Trasmission is a bittorrent client - perhaps you have downloaded the iso files - did you check?

Yes it was Gnewsense. I ended up locking myself out of that os, had already lost the windows os that was in need of registering and made the computer unbootable.Infected my laptop, all in all it was a good experience. Keep in mind I'm a newbie. I repaired the laptop, read up a little more on systems that wouldn't boot, got the windows operating system back in I now have 28 days to get Debian or Gnewsense in and will do it this time. 1st mistake that I made was opening a package in the laptop,second was that I didn't read up on it. 3rd I didn't know how to setup the port on a shared internet connection. 4th My laptop wasn't working as a result of the 1st mistake. This time I have all my tools and theknowledge to repair a mistake so I'm gonna do it again. Plus I made a second bootable drive, I can always switch the drive out if I make the same mistake.

I use debian on all my systems. Just go download the installation media. If you have an Ethernet connection I suggest just getting the net install as it is 1 CD. If you do the DVD install you just need the first DVD to install a base system and then you can use apt-get to install anything else you want.

http://www.debian.org/distrib/

Hey I'm back I got my laptop operating (the 1 that caught a virus). I got the other computer windows installed, was for the family. Picked-up another computer, racked my brain, searched for mor info,(how to burn iso's, how to work with zipfiles, burn live cd's, etc.).I ended up getting a few good free tools, the iso burning software (I made a nice collection of cd's that I burned that don't do anything). Anyway I've installed debian from cd-1 an iso the computer boots-up fine. Now that it's loaded and booting-up, where do I get more detailed info for post installtion? It's been an experience. The wife thinks I'm nuts as much research and as many mistakes that I made on first go around. Thank You for your help advice and patience.

In response to SIMON BRIDGES reply and question; at the time that I downloaded debian I downloaded it to my laptop, I burned the iso but I didn't have the iso burning software, was standard burner, so debian didn't install, I was receiving transmission for it but when I looked thru records the image wasn't readable, also having 2 downloades programs installed I don't know where they put debian. When I downloaded gnewsense I believe I downloaded directly to the computer that I wanted to install to.I don,t remember how I got that 1 to work initially it was obviosly not well planned nor noted, the computer was free (not the laptop) so I didn't backup the data. Then I was trying to dual-boot an os for my first time. Not only was I a Newbie but also a Virgin to this type of operation. At present I have the debian system installed & need to complete it. After doing it a few more times maybe I'll try dual-booting.

Since you seem to be someone who is patient enough to read documentation and learn (not just ask for quick fixes), I'd recommend the Debian Reference. It's a very useful document, although it's perhaps getting a little long in the tooth. It can be installed with using your package manager: Eg. as root

or viewed online at:

http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/de.../index.en.html

This document gives nice background information on GNU/Linux systems in general as well as Debian specific information. You don't need to understand everything on first reading, but just being familiar with what is in there should give you a good feel for the system and give you a starting point to understand and overcome most of the problems you are likely to encounter.


Enjoy,

Evo2.

Another good Debian reference (not as thorough as the link Evo2 posted, but I use it all the time):

http://www.aboutdebian.com/

Thank all of you for the information. It has all been very helpful and informative. I had read a little of about dabien (glanced at it after repairing the laptop and getting the family computer up and running) but I have my laptop set to delete history when done and didn't remember the site. That's the 1 that lead me on the path to get this far, along with other things I have read. I believe that the debian reference is definately going to get me there. Right now I have 4 computers, 3 of them on the net, the 1 with debian, is not connected to it yet. I've been waiting to connect it until after I make sure that I've secured my network. Soon as I secure my router, I'm back on line, and can move forward. Like I said, Thank all of you for info. Another question, in this case with 4 computers on my router am I better off with static ip or do I need dhcp for the machine with debian until it's finihed?

Better off with DHCP, at least until you're confortable with setting up networking in command line and GUI modes.

During this adventure I've kind of been forced to go to router login to establish my wireless connection isn't that where I would have to go to secure my network and make the changes that need to be made to the other computers?

Hmm, I think you are going to have to reword that question. I can't really follow what you are asking.

What I can say is that you seem to be assuming that you need to secure your network. While that may be true you also need to secure your hosts/clients. Do not rely only on the security of your network.



Evo2.

What I really meant to say is, before I reconnect the machine that has debian on it, to the existing network, I need to protect the other computers on my network. I read a wiki that actually said something in the nature of disabling dhcp(at "router-loginlinksys or netgear") and using static ip to secure my network. Keep in mind I'm a newbie, so maybe I'm overanylizing, but I just want to make sure that I don't infect the other computers again. Basically I worry about the default gateways, when my laptop was infected I couldn't even disable the radio. Sometimes I had to manually shut it down.

I'm still a little confused. Are you concerned that your Debian machine may somehow infect your windows machines with viruses etc? If so, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Evo2.

Thank you Evo2, I was still experiencing a little shell-shock from last experience, anyway I got it connected to the internet. Since I had no network set-up on that computer and wasn't familiar as to how to get around setting up the network it was easier to just do a new install with networking. Had somewhat of a problem getting my rotuer to let me in but managed to do so. Just to let you know it's always nice to have someone that can give a helping hand when you're stuck. Iprobably would not have pushed to get on line so soon had you have not insured me it was safe. That would've kept everything at a standstill. Thank all of you for the information. I'll be back because I can't say that I've got it all down yet.

I'm in the process of installing from the "synaptic package manager" after selecting packages for installation it asked for debian/gnu linux 5.0.4 cd-1 lenny... i386 official binaries. I had originally downloaded debian 5.0.4 iso cd-1 of 5, is this the cd that they're requesting or do I need to find separate binary cd?

That's the one.

Well I'm on the desktop that has Debian on it. On start-up it says I'm running on level 2, there's also a red asterisk refering to bootsplash needing to be setup (not in exact words). I looked it up on line on linux config.org, need to access apt-get, I can see it in my filesystem(apt-get), but don't know how to get to it. Do I go to g-edit and rename a tab to apt-get to access the command line to launch? Or is there another way to access apt-get? I search my package list for the kernal package |linux-patch-bootsplash libc6-dev and didn't see it. So now I have to input command manually and haven't figured out where. Is the source the original cd?

I also think I have the apt cleanup to do. so I know there are things that remain to be done. I'm trying not to make it another 2 mos. sothat I can get to what they say is the fun stuff.

Applications>Accessories>Terminal will open the terminal, you will need to be root to use apt-get, just type su at the command prompt, hit enter, enter your root password when it asks.

Alternatively you can use Applications>Accessories>Root Terminal and enter your password when it asks.

Both do the same thing: you will be at the command line as root. Caveat: YOU CAN TRASH YOUR SYSTEM AS ROOT so be very careful, and use it only when needed (as in using apt-get).

A safer way to add packages (and friendlier for some, as it is a GUI interface) is to use Synaptic. For this tool, go to System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager. You will have to enter root password in order to use Synaptic as well. Happy installing! :)

Thank you bruce I think I can get it ( think I can, I think I can, I think I can). I tried to find the kernal/package & anything to do with bootsplash, didn't see it. I'm not comfortable with commands yet, but I'm on a free gx-1 computer, so I'm not worried about breaking it, I want to build 1 (a computer) soon, so I'd like to know how to correct a problem before just putting my money out there. As far as this experience, I'm rather enjoying what I'm doing. With the help that I'm getting from all of you I tknow it's possible. '

On bootup I get the following messages;

unable to load system description tables,
error installing fan (lib/modules 2'6.26-2-686/kernel drivers/acpi/fan.ko),
error installing processor (" "),
thermal(" ").
I checked the verion of modules it's 1.2. in man pages.
I looked it up it says that it's a generic kernel, if the generic kernels work I want to learn how to make them function, and then I can upgrade them.
I recently used apt-get install cpufreqd, it started installation and stopped with the notacion that freq was already set, also set for ondemand. Anyway I'm still thrying to set the modules, I browsed the man-pages and how to configure cpufreqd-ThinkWiki.
1. Are the man-pages just reference or for entering commands as in terminal?
2. In the illustration Of how to configure cpufreqd do you use the symbols [],#,()? Also do you have to rename [General], [Profile], [Rule] or the word "name" in "name=hi_boost"?
Does the default kernel fully load initially on other systems, so as to not have to do it manually or is this the way it is done on all installations? I only ask that now because the first installation was on a different computer, after blowing that installation, I don't remember if that one had these error on bootup.
Another thing that I noticed was when I ran "lsmod"(I think that was what I ran), Most of the items had "live" printed next to them. Am I basically running a live-cd(Debian Gnu/Linux) on my hd, and converting it to work on my computer?
I haven't learned how to take a paragraph from a post and copy it, or I would've posted a sample. I'll get that down soon also.



[General]
pidfile=/var/run/cpufreqd.pid
poll_interval=2
pm_type=acpi #(acpi, apm or pmu)
# Uncomment the following line to enable ACPI workaround (see cpufreqd.conf(5)) # acpi_workaround=1
verbosity=4 #(if you want a minimal logging set to 5)

[Profile]

Got it! I meant pasting this paragraph to the post.

Quote "#(acpi, apm or pmu)" is this a comment? also is the comment included?
Quote "# uncomment the following line...
uncommented comment? "#acpi_workaround=1
verbosity=4
Uncomment is that append? Just when I think I have it they throw a curve. I still want to thank all of you for the help that you give.

man pages are for reference. They explain the syntax and function of (among other things) commands used in the terminal.
This I honestly have no experience with. Someone with more experience can help here. I would suggest starting a new thread with this as a new topic to get the attention it deserves.

Glad you're getting these things resolved, and welcome to the linux community!

Thanks again Bruce, I was just thinking yesterday that I was adding alot to the "minimal line bash" thread. I am going to take your advice and start a new thread, especially since the topic has changed many times, and even after I conquer this 1 there will still be questions to ask. I think that I'm going to definately pickup a book on linux commands asap. This has defenately got my attention and it's quite fun. So THANK YOU for all of your help.

A couple of links to get you started:

http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

http://www.aboutdebian.com/

Happy reading! :study:

I started a new thread

Question Error inserting processor (lib/modules 2.6.26-2-686/kernaldrivers/acpi/processor

I haven't recieved any responses so I came back to where I know that someones watching. Here's my latest post:

I'm trying to find out if these modules are loaded.

In an attempt to find out what's loaded and not loaded, I input the following command:
/sbin/modprobe -l |grep -i acpi

/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/cpufreq/acpi-cpufreq.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/thermal.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/wmi.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/button.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/bay.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/asus_acpi.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/dock.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/toshiba_acpi.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/fan.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/processor.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/sbs.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/sbshc.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/video.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/battery.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/ac.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/acpi/container.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/misc/thinkpad_acpi.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/pci/hotplug/acpiphp.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.26-2-686/kernel/drivers/pci/hotplug/acpiphp_ibm.ko

I don't know what I did yesterday but now on startup debian is finally recognized.
The system used to just say linux 2.6

Hey Bruce thanks for the 2038 bug info. I read thru it kind of hit and miss, got to the part where it said now we'll update kernel modules for first and last time. So reinstalled, started from scratch. This tutorial gives a little more detail, it also answered some of my question.

Btw I haven't done anything with the new install just taking my time and reading 2038. When I have all the answers I'll finish it up.

i've finally taken care of these error messages;

unable to load system description tables,
error installing fan (lib/modules 2'6.26-2-686/kernel drivers/acpi/fan.ko),
error installing processor (" "),
thermal(" ").
Now I have to deal with the host smbus cotroller,
deal with the tslow timer,
It's taking a while to get it together but I'm atleast on the right path. I think.

Today I decided to go thru my previous posts and mark them as solved with an explanation of why and how it was resolved.



I downloaded debian but had no idea of how to work with ISO'S. I sought information on how to actually burn ISO files.
If you decide to burn Iso files be sure that if your burner software is new to your system, that you go to preferences and set your burning software as a default for Iso's.

Don't get impatient and download something else. Also when downloading files to your computer don't open the package until ready to work with it, especially if it's not in the target machine.

I just happened to open a file that was a torrent not knowing the slightet thig about what I was doing.
Well the machine I opened it in wasn't the target.



The only differnce between now and then is that I know how toburn the software I know what the software is capable of and I know what my capabilities are and when to ask questions. When you ask questions make sure to read the thread as to how to ask questions and get them answered. I'm still working on that 1. Solved.