Package: installation-reports INSTALL REPORT
I have been a Debian user since about 5 years. I currently have a home network consisting of 3 i386 boxes (2 servers, 1 desktop) and used the desktop for the installation test. Because I got confused the first few times and was not satisfied with the result, I did the installation 3 times. Debian-installer-version: Beta 2 (i386 100MB CD image) uname -a: Linux sauron 2.4.22-1-386 #9 Sat Oct 4 14:30:39 EST 2003 i686 GNU/Linux Date: Feb 29 15:30 Method: Boot from Debian Installer CD (in hdc); additional packages from internet (http) Machine: NEC Direction Processor: Pentium III (Coppermine) Memory: 256 MB Root Device: I installed spare IDE disk as hdb and used that for install Root Size/partition table: hda: QUANTUM FIREBALLlct10 20 (unused for this install) hdb: Maxtor 90430D3 hdc: Hewlett-Packard CD-Writer Plus 8100 hdd: PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-114 Disk /dev/hdb: 4311 MB, 4311982080 bytes 255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 524 cylinders Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System Mounted as /dev/hdb1 1 135 1084356 b W95 FAT32 /dev/hdb2 136 524 3124642+ 5 Extended /dev/hdb5 136 176 329301 6 FAT16 /dev/hdb6 177 480 2441848+ 83 Linux / /dev/hdb7 481 500 160618+ 83 Linux /home /dev/hdb8 501 524 192748+ 82 Linux swap swap Output of lspci: 00:00.0 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C693A/694x [Apollo PRO133x] (rev c4) 00:01.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C598/694x [Apollo MVP3/Pro133x AGP] 00:07.0 ISA bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 [Apollo Super South] (rev 22) 00:07.1 IDE interface: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C586A/B/VT82C686/A/B/VT8233/A/C/VT8235 PIPC Bus Master IDE (rev 10) 00:07.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 10) 00:07.3 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 10) 00:07.4 SMBus: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 [Apollo Super ACPI] (rev 30) 00:0e.0 Network controller: Eicon Technology Corporation Diva 2.01 S/T PCI (rev 01) 00:0f.0 Ethernet controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6102 [Rhine-II] (rev 43) 00:11.0 Multimedia audio controller: Creative Labs SB Live! EMU10k1 (rev 07) 00:11.1 Input device controller: Creative Labs SB Live! MIDI/Game Port (rev 07) 01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Rage 128 RF/SG AGP Base System Installation Checklist: Initial boot worked: [O] Configure network HW: [O] Config network: [O] Detect CD: [O] Load installer modules: [O] Detect hard drives: [O] Partition hard drives: [O] Create file systems: [O] Mount partitions: [O] Install base system: [O] Install boot loader: [O] Reboot: [O] [O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [ ] = didn't try it Comments/Problems: Installation in general went fine; important hardware was all recognized and working after install. *** Network configuration and DHCP *** - I think static network configuration should _always_ be an option even if DHCP is available (eg. for servers). - Dynamic DNS is currently not supported when DHCP is used; I had to manually add 'send hostname "<hostname>";' to dhclient.conf in order to get the box recognized by my DNS-servers. *** CD/DVD recognition *** There is somthing funny with how the two CD drives are handled. - System was booted of hdc. Installation also ran from hdc. - In post-install when adding apt-sources I had to switch the installation CD from hdc to hdd when apt-cdrom scans to add the CD. - When installing packages I had to switch the installation CD back to hdc. It looks like discover sometimes switches hdc and hdd between /dev/cdrom0 and /dev/cdrom1. I confirmed this by checking /dev/cd* after installation and after later reboots. After installation I had _3_ directories created in / (cdrom, cdrom0, cdrom1), but there was no default entry for /dev/hdd (to /cdrom1?) in /etc/fstab. Both my HP CD-RW and Pioneer DVD were installed as ide-cd; the HP CD-RW should be ide-scsi to support CD-writing. Should the installer handle this? I changed the CD-RW manually (using /etc/modutils/) and now have: lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 11 Mar 1 22:47 /dev/cdrom -> /dev/cdrom0 lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 8 Mar 1 22:47 /dev/cdrom0 -> /dev/hdd lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 1 22:47 /dev/cdrom1 -> /dev/scd0 Maybe it would be better to have /dev/cdrom0 and /dev/cdrom1 in fstab instead of /dev/hdc etc. This would also support an ide-scsi drive like above. *** Usability *** - I liked installing using the menu better then the 'fully automated' way. During the first two installations I got 'lost' several times; it is not always obvious how to skip a step (eg. partitioning). - In the dialog for 'Partition a hard drive' there should be a text 'or choose Finish to use existing partitions'. - The /dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0 notation is very confusing for less experienced users. Where possible (e.g. selecting a disc for partitioning and lilo configuration) the notation used during 'Configure and mount partitions' should be used(IDE x Master/Slave Disc/Partition x). - During lilo configuration there should be a selection list instead of having to manually edit (I wanted /dev/ide/host0/bus0/target1/lun0/part6 which I chainload from lilo on hda; I got really stuck here the first time). - Maybe there should be an option during installation to add the 'normal user' to selected groups (like audio, cdrom). - There should be an indication during Configure and mount partitions which partition has been selected and will be mounted as swap. - There is no progress information when the installer configures and mount partitions. - Selection of apt sources should have a 'finish' option; now you can get stuck. *** General remarks *** I missed the following questions during post-install (questions I remember from the installation procedure for Woody): - Is system clock UTC or local? - System does not have PCMCIA, should packages be removed? Thanks for the good work! -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
