Linux Debian support - Was this install good or not?

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Author Was this install good or not?
Rockinghorse Winner

2006-10-14, 7:16 pm

A few weeks ago I attempted an install of Debian/Gnu Sarge from DVD
disks. I believe it went well and finally dropped me into a login
shell. Well I logged in. Then, I typed startx, and I got a gray
wallpaper with a mouse cursor. I thought my video settings were messed
so I spent an hour changing them, but always when I typed startx, I got
this blank screen with a mouse cursor. I guess I was thinking a Knoppix
like desktop would magically appear (in my naiveté, I believed this).

From hanging out on this ng and other forums, I am beginning to suspect
that I should have tried to start KDM or GDM instead (assuming they were
already installed with the distro, which I assume they were - at least
one of them).

So I guess my question is, were my video settings actually fine, but I
didn't type the right command at the keyboard?

I've since installed Xandros, but I'd like to retry the Sarge distro. I
wonder if I was fine the first time but failed to type the right command!

Thanks a lot.
--
god bless

http://www.Hello-Radio.Com

http://home.xandros.com/products/home/home_edition.html
SINNER

2006-10-14, 7:16 pm

* Rockinghorse Winner wrote in alt.os.linux.debian:
> A few weeks ago I attempted an install of Debian/Gnu Sarge from DVD
> disks. I believe it went well and finally dropped me into a login
> shell. Well I logged in. Then, I typed startx, and I got a gray
> wallpaper with a mouse cursor. I thought my video settings were messed
> so I spent an hour changing them, but always when I typed startx, I got
> this blank screen with a mouse cursor. I guess I was thinking a Knoppix
> like desktop would magically appear (in my naiveté, I believed this).


> From hanging out on this ng and other forums, I am beginning to suspect
> that I should have tried to start KDM or GDM instead (assuming they were
> already installed with the distro, which I assume they were - at least
> one of them).


> So I guess my question is, were my video settings actually fine, but I
> didn't type the right command at the keyboard?


> I've since installed Xandros, but I'd like to retry the Sarge distro. I
> wonder if I was fine the first time but failed to type the right command!


First guess would be that you havent installed a GUI.
--
David
Q: Why should you always serve a Southern Carolina football man
soup in a plate?
A: 'Cause if you give him a bowl, he'll throw it away.
Rockinghorse Winner

2006-10-14, 7:16 pm

First guess would be that you havent installed a GUI.
-- David

Hmm, But I thought the DVD distro came with several GUI's.


--
god bless

http://www.Hello-Radio.Com

http://home.xandros.com/products/home/home_edition.html
John Hasler

2006-10-14, 7:16 pm

David writes:
> First guess would be that you havent installed a GUI.


He has installed a GUI: The X Window System. What he has not installed is
a window manager. He probably wants to install either the Gnome or KDE
"desktop environment".
--
John Hasler
John Hasler

2006-10-14, 7:16 pm

Rockinghorse Winner writes:
> Hmm, But I thought the DVD distro came with several GUI's.


It comes with several "desktop environments" as well as a bunch of window
managers. You have to pick one and install it. If you want KDE do
'apt-get install kde'. If you want Gnome do 'apt-get install gnome'.
--
John Hasler
Rockinghorse Winner

2006-10-15, 7:13 am

It comes with several "desktop environments" as well as a bunch of
window managers. You have to pick one and install it. If you want KDE do
'apt-get install kde'. If you want Gnome do 'apt-get install gnome'.

OK, I thought you were supposed to choose during the install, and it
would drop you straight into a destop environment like Knoppix does.
But, fine, I could have done what yo said. I'm only sorry I went out
and paid for Xandros,when I could have done it myself with Debian. Thanks.

--
god bless

http://www.Hello-Radio.Com

http://home.xandros.com/products/home/home_edition.html
John Hasler

2006-10-15, 1:13 pm

Rockinghorse Winner writes:
> OK, I thought you were supposed to choose during the install, and it
> would drop you straight into a destop environment like Knoppix does.


That was one of the choices you were offered.
--
John Hasler
Rockinghorse Winner

2006-10-15, 7:15 pm

That was one of the choices you were offered.

OK, I remember saying I wanted a desktop environment, and I had to put
the 2nd distro disk in so it could copy files, but it never started that
desktop environment after the install was through -- it just put me at a
linux prompt. I might be able to figure out how to get around this
now, but back then I really new zilch about linux. Maybe I'll try it
again someday.

Thanks

--
--
god bless

http://www.Hello-Radio.Com

http://home.xandros.com/products/home/home_edition.html
Bill Marcum

2006-10-16, 1:13 pm

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:50:53 -0700, Rockinghorse Winner
<rockinghorse@anonymous.to> wrote:
> That was one of the choices you were offered.
>
> OK, I remember saying I wanted a desktop environment, and I had to put
> the 2nd distro disk in so it could copy files, but it never started that
> desktop environment after the install was through -- it just put me at a
> linux prompt. I might be able to figure out how to get around this
> now, but back then I really new zilch about linux. Maybe I'll try it
> again someday.
>

You can start the desktop with gnome-session or startkde, or install gdm
or kdm which provide graphic login screens.

--
I'm DESPONDENT ... I hope there's something DEEP-FRIED under this
miniature DOMED STADIUM ...
Gary Dale

2006-10-19, 7:12 pm

John Hasler wrote:
> David writes:
>
> He has installed a GUI: The X Window System. What he has not installed is
> a window manager. He probably wants to install either the Gnome or KDE
> "desktop environment".


It sounds like something did go wrong in the install. The advice about
doing an apt-get install kde or gnome should fix it. If not, doing
apt-get install kdm, gdm or xdm will do the trick.

If he already has those installed, then it is a matter of setting his
default run level.
John Hasler

2006-10-19, 7:12 pm

Gary Dale writes:
> If he already has those installed, then it is a matter of setting his
> default run level.


Not with Debian.
--
John Hasler
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