noob with installation challenges

[reallyold]

Ubuntu user whose time had come to try something new.
1. When DHCP failed I choose to install and hold networking until later. (I am wireless with Ubuntu 10.04 and win 7)
2. Installation seemed to go without hitches and did give me a multiple boot, however entered ID and PW then got I guess what is called the terminal access with $ sign and put me at stand still.
3. I can only assume I now must manually configure my wireless as well and you guessed it, no clue as well.
Appreciate any insights and apologize if this should have been 2 posts
Thanks

[yancek]

however entered ID and PW

I'm not sure what that means. Do you get the user login screen with a user name, then prompted to enter the user password?

I don't regularly use Ubuntu, but have it installed and when I boot it, that's what I get.

got I guess what is called the terminal access with $ sign

That's the standard prompt in a terminal. If you do not get a graphical user interface?? you might try typing: startx

at the prompt to get a graphical user interface. If that doesn't work, you should get some output, warnings, error messages, post them if you can. I'm not sure what happened with your installation as Ubuntu usually installs pretty easily. I'm not sure what you mean by entering the ID, do you mean your user name you set up during the installation? Generally, you need an entry in /etc/inittab file to boot to level 4 or 5 which would give you a GUI. I think Ubuntu uses a different file. Hopefully, a regular Ubuntu user will post.

[reallyold]

Let me try this again. I only mentioned Ubuntu in passing and the stark differences in login there
and the challenges here.
When I boot debian I get black screen with various file results and at bottom the line:
Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 debian tty1
debian login
After login I get another black screen about no warranty etc and line
allen@debian:~$
blinking cursor
And I have no clue where to go or what to do.
note allen is my user name
Please advise and thanks

[rokytnji]

When I boot debian I get black screen with various file results and at bottom the line:
Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 debian tty

Is this a net install?

And I have no clue where to go or what to do.

If Desktop environment is installed.

startx

[reallyold]

It is a net install

[rokytnji]

Debian User Forums • View topic - HOWTO: Install X Window System and a Desktop Environment

Should get you started to getting into a desktop.

[rokytnji]

More up to date How to from

The Perfect Desktop - Debian Squeeze | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

[reallyold]

One must sign in to this net version and I did
but at the allen@debian:~$ if I put in apt-get install xorg
I am informed I must be root.
However one can not sign in as root so please explain or
simply give me the URL to load full version desktop and all.
Eighty years old and this net version is about beyond my comprehension
Thanks

[rokytnji]

but at the allen@debian:~$ if I put in apt-get install xorg
I am informed I must be root.
However one can not sign in as root so please explain

in Debian

allen@debian:~$su
Password: (your password you made during install goes here. It will not show any dots)

Hit enter

allen@debian:~#

When you see the # after ~. That means you are now root and can

allen@debian:~#apt-get install xorg

Hit enter

My advise first is when you get to root. Before doing apt-get install xorg do FIRST

allen@debian:~#apt-get update

Then Hit enter. So you update all your available packages like xorg and libraries to most current first so when getting ready to install Desktop. You have the latest stuff Debian has to offer. It is a must before doing application installs in Debian. apt-get update command does not install anything. It just updates what is available.

Good Luck with it. I learned Linux at a late age myself. Just a Tattoed Harley Biker Home user also. You'll get it eventually I hope.

[reallyold]

Really appreciate all the help and did exactly as instructed.
update first and it went through
apt-get install xorg
reply was cannot find package xorg
What am I missing?
Thanks