apt-get apache2 problem - Debian

[ScottG489]

So my problem is pretty simple. I just installed Debian onto one of my old computers to use it as a server. I am trying to download and install apache2 using "apt-get install apache2". However, when I type that, I get this error:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Package apache2 is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
E: Package apache2 has no installation candidate

First let me get a few things out of the way. Yes I am logged in with root privileges by using "su" and logging in before I use apt-get ("sudo" isn't on this system for w/e reason). I have also looked around on Google without too much luck.

Does anyone know what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks in advance!

[jledhead]

probably would have been better under the debian section vs the server section. either way,

apt-get update
apt-get install apache2

if that still doesn't work then post the contents of /etc/apt/sources.list

[ScottG489]

Yea I had already tried the apt-get update thing. And sorry for the wrong forum.

Here is my /etc/apt/sources.list :

# 
# deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 r3 _Etch_ - Official i386 NETINST Binary-1 20080218-14:15]/ etch contrib main

deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 r3 _Etch_ - Official i386 NETINST Binary-1 20080218-14:15]/ etch contrib main

deb http://security.debian.org/]Debian -- Security Information etch/updates main contrib
deb-src http://security.debian.org/]Debian -- Security Information etch/updates main contrib

Thanks a lot for your help btw.

[kostasan]

It seems that you have not enabled all the necessary repositories. Can't tell you which though, i use Ubuntu, so better ask the Debian forum... If you enable them you 'll find apache.

[jledhead]

you need to add something like this

     deb http://http.us.debian.org/debian stable main contrib non-free
     deb http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US stable/non-US main contrib non-free

taken from APT HOWTO - Basic Configuration

and then rerun my above commands

[ScottG489]

Hey thanks a lot for the repositories. Someone else just told me to use these repositories:

deb ftp.osuosl.org :: Oregon State University Open Source Lab etch main contrib non-free
deb-src ftp.osuosl.org :: Oregon State University Open Source Lab etch main contrib non-free

I added them and it worked. Should I add the repositories you suggested above too? I don't see how it could hurt to have more.

Anyways, I'm going to work now until tonight. I'll get apache installed and everything else hopefully. Thanks a lot!

[jledhead]

the only difference between the repository I put and the ones you listed are location. you don't need more than one stable main contrib non-free
just like you don't need more than one security repository. The only reason you should change those is if its slow for you, change it to a faster one
Debian worldwide mirror sites

[ScottG489]

Oh OK that makes sense, I see what you mean. Well I guess for my purposes I am just going to leave it how it is now because it works and I won't really be downloading packages that often since I just need to download my main server components and then thats it. Thanks for clearing it up for me though!