Need help with my new Debian...

[Tycopolis]

Hi all... I'm getting reacquainted with Debian so I am in need of some help. Here's what I've done:

1. netinst
2. changed sources.list
3. apt-get update, and then apt-get upgrade

Screen now shows:

Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (This is Sid, Right?)

Ok, so far so good. My problem is that I don't really know where to go from here. The system ALWAYS boots to a prompt. The last time I installed, I got a gnome desktop and lots of software. This system is currently pretty much bare bones.

#dpkg -l shows me gnome, x windows, but I just don't know what to do here. How do I get x windows and the gnome evironment up and running?

#kernelversion shows 2.4. Do I need to upgrade this, or am I ok for now. Installing on a Dell Latitude C610 laptop.

Thanks all...

[Juan Pablo]

TRy starting gdm /etc/init.d/gdm start or startx

I think you are using Debian Sarge, super stable but a bit outdated

[bluerooster]

If you installed with a net-install then you have only a very basic system. Try apt-get with a '-s' (dry-run won't actually install) Use the '-s' as a test before you actually install or remove something. You might be surprised by what you see. -s is safe.

apt-get -s install x-window-system

If it's not there, remove the -s and get it. You'd better have high-speed connection or you'll be forever.

Next get gnome or kde. You choose.

apt-get install kde

There'll be a bunch of dependencies but apt-get takes care of that for you.
Getting the x-window-system and kde ought to get xdm or gdm for you, but if not then apt-get one of them too.

This is how you can get your login for x-windows:

/etc/init.d/xdm start
or
/etc/init.d/gmd start

Use the debian package search once you have a web browser available:
http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages

[Tycopolis]

thanks... I did:
apt-get install gdm

[bigguynail]

I am just starting off with debian haveing played with a Damn Small Linux cd.

and haveing tried loading Ubuntu without sucess on my older HP Omnibook XE3 700mhz 196megs with 10 gig hdd.

Now stuck

setting up gnome-control-center (2.8.2-3)

debian:~#

It is asking for command I have no clue?

any help would be great?