Cant get as far as a UI :(

[DebianDummy]

Hello,

I've been a windows man up until now and decided to try Linux. I went for debian sarge and have installed it sucessfully.

I can get to the point where i can type in shell commands but cannot get the UI working.

I tried the command startx and i get a screen full of text, the last lines being:

(EE) No Devices Detected

Fatal server error:
no screens found


Please help!

[iwanabeguru]

did you install xserver and desktop manager.
configure your xserver run xf86config or xorgconfig
and use gdm , install it if not installed yet
search this forum for solution , we wrote many help in the near past

[DebianDummy]

Ok I have a Nvidia Geforce 6800GT

I am guessing that the problem lies with the correct drivers not being installed for this card.

I ran xf86config, went through step by step and selected generic nvidia chipset from the graphics card driver database

I still get the same "no screens" error when i try startx.

I really have no idea what to do. Do i need to download the drivers for my card from somewhere (which i dont know how to do in linux)

Somone please help as Windows is looking much more attractive at the moment

[likwid]

Download nvidia's proprietary linux driver.

[DebianDummy]

I mentioned in the previous post that I do not know how to download or install a driver from the command line, how would one go about such a task?

[Juan Pablo]

Debian is a bit hard for a newbie, I would recommend something easier like Ubuntu or Fedora. Debian is aimed to experienced users.
But if you really want to use Debian you can try this
*nix terminals are much more powerful than DOS, you can use Links (command-line web browser) to go to Nvidia's website and download the drivers, install the linux headers and use the nvidia installer.

And because of your comment about Windows being more attractive, this is always a good lecture
http://linux.oneandoneis2.com/LNW.htm

[DebianDummy]

Ha! that was funny,

I have been a full on Windows user up until this point. I am using Debian as I am about to embark on a programmers job that uses this distro so I dont really have a choice.

However, as a developer I concentrated on learning languages to a commercial standard and trying out different OS has been a lower priority for me.

I am not your typical XP-IE-Myspace user though and I love open source so it was only a matter of time before i tried Linux anyway.

I have to admit though, I expected to at least get the UI running in less than 48 hours, its all a bit difficult at the moment.

Still waiting for sarge to upgrade to etch and then ill be on with struggling with my GeForce, hopefully speak soon!

[DebianDummy]

Ok i have now upgraded to sarge but still have the same xwindow problem.

I have wget the drivers from nvidia but i am scared to run them because of this:

The nvidia installer does not work as long as a Xserver is still
running and the nvidia kernel module is still loaded. Therefore
please boot into runlevel 3 by specifying "3" as kernel boot
option or switch to runlevel 3 ("init 3") and unload the kernel
module ("rmmod nvidia") before running the nvidia installer.

what should i do?

[craigevil]

Download nvidia's proprietary linux driver.

DO NOT do that. Follow the directions here:
NvidiaGraphicsDrivers - Debian Wiki
http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers

If you want KDE, my suggestion would be to download the ETCH kde iso from here:
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/we...6-kde-CD-1.iso

If you haven't done so already a quick read of the Install guide might help:
Debian Etch Installation Guide
http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/