Awhile back, I purchased a book, "Learning Debian GNU/Linux", and was unable to install the version of Debian that came with the book (the CD-ROM that was included in the back of the book).
So, I then purchased the CD-ROM's for Debian, version "Potato", from a mail-order vendor. Still had problems. In the installation, the install program that comes up is a simple text-based interface, with scrolling lists and such. But if I try to scroll the lists, the whole computer bombs--it just locks up. It is very strange; the keyboard wont' work, the RESET switch won't work, I have to power-down, and then power back up and reboot. I am booting from the CD-ROM (although I have tried making floppy disks to boot from; but it didn't matter). I joined the "debian-user" list, to try and figure out what was wrong. On the list, some people suggested that my video card might be to blame; even though it works fine in all other operating systems. The card is an ATI Rage 128. It was suggested that I try WOODY Debian. So, I just received my CD-ROMs containing WOODY. However, I STILL CANNOT INSTALL! What is going on? I can get through the installation process, by formatting my hard drive ahead of time, and then just hitting <ENTER> at each prompt. BUT THE REAL PROBLEM COMES when I am supposed to choose "modules". I do not understand this part, but in the book, "Learning Debian GNU/Linux", at this section, they say that I should choose THESE MODULES to install: Table 3-3: Modules To Install Catgory | Module _________|_____________ fs | binfmt_aout fs | smbfs fs | vfat misc | lp misc | serial net | bsd_comp net | dummy net | ppp I show these, to point out exactly where in the installation procedure I always fail. I cannot scroll through these lists; in fact, I can choose the FIRST "fs" above (binfmt_aout), because I don't have to scroll any lists, I just have to click the down-arrow a few times to get to where "fs" is, and then when I select that, "binfmt_aout" is right there, and I select that, and then it is fine. But when I go further down the list, the greater the chances the system is going to lock up, WITHOUT WARNING. This is a simple, text-based install procedure. It should be compatible with ANY basic video card. What is going on? I am currently running Red Hat Linux 7.1. I can also run (and have run just fine in the past:) SuSE Linux, Mandrake Linux, and various other types of Linux that I've tried. Also, I used to run Windows 95, 98, and 2000 on this very system, with no problems. BUT I WANT TO RUN DEBIAN! The video card doesn't seem to be what's a fault, anymore. I think the install procedure in Debian has a flaw, somehow; but how? If it works for everyone else? I stripped ALL of the hardware out of my computer, except what was absolutely NEEDED for the install--trying to see what other pieces of hardware might be causing the trouble. I also changed my keyboard, twice. I haven't tried a different video card, because I cannot afford it, and anyhow I am using that same video card in Linux, right now (but tragically, this isn't Debian!) I am running Red Hat 7.1, <sigh!> I have an ABIT motherboard, with 256 MB of RAM, a sis-gig hard drive, a 30-gig hard drive, an Intel PII 400 MHz, 300W power supply, D-Link DFE-530TX ethernet card, standard SoundBlaster sound card, a 56kb modem card that is not being used, a generic fast CD-ROM player (56X? I don't recall), and a floppy drive. I am using a cable modem box, for Cox@home Internet connection. Does anyone have any ideas at all? Please help! If there are alternative ways to install Debian from the CD-ROM (automatic, for instance), then I would like to hear about any & all alternatives; because I figure that once it is installed, the problem will go away--after all, Debian IS simply Linux, and I am using Linux right now! :-) Thanks in advance, --Mark Seven Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
