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.

1 members found this post helpful.

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

http://www.aboutdebian.com/

1 members found this post helpful.

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.