I'm trying to install .iso software from a cd with /mnt/cdrom/install and get
cp:reading '......tgz':input/output error
several dozen times before it bombs out, so was thinking maybe the disc is knackered.

So I was going to try installing from a memory stick. I've copied the iso file onto the stick and I've also copied the unpacked files from iso onto the disc.

How do I go about running it ?
When I plug in the stick a konqueror window opens, I click on the install file and it just opens an edit window for the install file.
Debian linux.
I'm finding everything on linux so hard.

Commonly in Linux these install files are shell scripts that need to be run by the root user of the system in order to install the software. If memory serves (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm mistaken) Debian still uses the root account and does not default to sudo. What you'll want to do is open a terminal (I prefer konsole but whichever you can find is fine) and then issue this sequence of commands:

If any errors occur please post the following information:

* What software you're trying to install
* The output of `ls -l` on the directory
* The output of `sh install`

Regards,

Alunduil

the file is on the usb stick.
if I do
/mnt/usb
I get mnt/usb no such file or directory

Sorry, I should have been more clear. With those paths you need to cd to the location that has your install file. I don't know where your system mounted it but you can check by running `mount`.

Regards,

Alunduil

There are no directories in /mnt/ . Unless you create one.
And none are required for this. Please look in /media/ instead.

'cd /media/<TAB>' : Will show, what's available.

Debian :
When I plug in a random usb-stick and do 'cd /media/<TAB>', it shows:
4886-1371/ cdrom/ cdrom0/ cdrom1/ floppy/ floppy0/ .

→ 4886-1371/ is the USB-stick.

.....

cd /media/<TAB> gives me:
cdrom, cdrom0, disk, floppy, floppy0


mount gives me:
/dev/hdal
tmpfs
proc
sysfs
procbususb
udev
devpts
/dev/hdc
/media/cdrom0
/dev/sdal

Well then. Please try : ls /media/disk/

.. to possibly get a list of the files, that are on the usb-stick.

..

ok, getting somewhere now.
Ok its now working.
Thanks for your help.
I'll keep the thread open while I do this big install