Newbie to Debian

[exploder]

I have installed Debian 3.1 on my pc. The installation went fine but only the "base system" is installed. What i get now is the command prompt after the system is booted completely.

After going through the installation material what i have learnt is i have to install Debian's APT modules to get the other modules.

How to get the actual GNOME GUI interface? It's silly that i can't do anything at the command prompt. I know I sound a bit silly!

What is the command to execute my CD-ROM drive and install the each and individual packages on my Debian base system?

Quick help will be greatly appreciated.

[burnit]

General informations are in

 man apt

.

For registering cd-rom Debian sets use

apt-cdrom add

For installing software

apt-get install <package-list>

For searching for software

apt-cache search <keyworks>

For informations about packages

apt-cache show <package>

See man pages for apt-get and apt-cache... they will be very usefull.

A base installation without installing automatically software during install is my preferred way!

I suggest a

apt-get install x-window-system-core gnome-core

Then install whatever you need.

[chris-harry]

you can also..

tasksel

and just select desktop thingy, thats if you havent... then it should fetch the packages needed...

hopefully i have been of some help...

[exploder]

I have executed >apt-get install x-window-system-core gnome-core

Awesome that was a great help. The GNOME packages were installed without any fuss BUT how to execute the actual GNOME desktop i mean the GUI interface??? I tried restarting the pc but it ends up with the command console interface!!

What is the command to get the interface?

[burnit]

If you like to login from shell, you should start GNOME desktop typing

startx

Otherwise, you like to login (optionally automatically) with a graphic client, you should install GDM (Gnome Desktop Manager). Install it with

apt-get install gdm

It will start each machine boot, but don't restart. Run as root

/etc/init.d/gdm start

Of course you Xserver must be configured properly (however the default configuration often run without problems).

[exploder]

Well I have installed GDM but when i run the GDM by >startx the screen behaves as if something is coming up but nothing happens and comes up with a list error messages. I cant look at all the error messages because the messages keep scrolling on the screen.

The only clear error message which I can see are messages related to "pointing devices" i think this is because i am using a Logitec cordless desktop!

But, I dont know why Debian installation is too tedious? I never had any sought of problem in installing SUSE it is pretty straight forward.

Yesterday after reading an article on Debian i went straight to the local newsagency to buy the latest Debian copy which was given with a Linux mag. But it is really dissappointing to see the massive amount of time it takes to install.

But you guys are doing a real good job with a lightining fast reply if i post a message on the forum. Go fellas!

[DoctorDan]

really? debian install was quick and painless for me. i used this: www.aboutdebian.com/install31.htm

my first ever install, too!

[ToastedToad]

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/top...64e5a1055a03f3

[Vercetti]

Try typing base-config. Then, locate "Configure APT", put up some mirrors near you, then go back to main menu and choose "Select and Install packages" or something similar. You'll be prompted with a visual interface to select and install packages. Find out the Tasks category and choose Desktop Environment. That'll install KDE, Gnome and GDM, all with the required libraries. From there you got yourself into a more friendly environment and may ask for help straight from Linux.

However there may be a few trouble as X server depends alot on user's system, and sometimes needs to be configured manually. Like, if you have one on-board graphics card and one off-board which is the one you use, you might need to edit the config file at /etc/X11/XF86Config to setup the correct PCI ID (just do a 'lspci' and convert the shown strings from Hex to Alpha). That all can be found very well explained into web tutorials and ****. Everytime it says missing package or something, go on su and apt-get what you need.

[exploder]

How to access internet from command console? Because while installing the packages and also to get into Linuxforums to check my answers posted by u guys i have to restart my pc to windows! As i said before my base installation was done properly but not the Gnome system.