On Sat, Mar 06, 2021 at 09:32:11AM -0600, Richard Owlett wrote: > On 03/06/2021 05:46 AM, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote: > > [snip what I responded to in the previous reply] > > > > Let me try and help narrow down some of the scope of what you're asking and > > then see if we can help you on the debian-user list. Maybe you could: > > > > Pick one machine that you're wanting to install Debian on. [Just Debian, > > for the moment]. > > That will be my Dell Latitude E6410 which I use everyday. At the moment I'm > running the i386 flavor of Debian 9.13. It also has the AMD64 flavor of > Debian 10.0 . Both installed from relevant DVD1. > As others have said: you could just use apt-get update / Synaptic to bring the 10.0 up to 10.8.
> I do this for two reasons. > First, it proves I can run Debian configured "my way". > Second, it makes all installation logs conveniently available. > > > > > This is a game of twenty questions > > > > What's this machine going to be FOR? > > > > 1. What's the end goal for that machine? What do you want to use it for? > > The immediate goal is diagnosing the problem of netinst.iso not accessing > the web for required packages. The Dell E6410 has Ethernet. It also has Intel WiFi. Installing iwlwifi and using WiFi would solve your problem here, potentially. Using the non-free unofficial firmware CD might also help, as this might contain any other firmware needed. [Using the 4G hotspot in the most usual manner.] I'm not sure what protocol would be running over the USB2 interface - maybe PPTP - equivalent to some of the dial-up protocols. > Next will be fine tuning a preseed.cfg to simplify having the system that > suits my peculiar set of software preferences. Install [using the expert mode which will ask all the questions] a minimal text only system: add software by hand thereafter? > Long term will be collecting questions to be asked by an upgraded Debian > installer. You are essentially creating a system for yourself: do you see that this would be useful to others? > > > > > 2. What desktop environment do you want on it? > > A very lean MATE. > > > > > 3. What other software are you likely to need? > > [If you've some idea of this up front and it's a defined goal - we can break > > it into steps] > > That problem was solved long ago. Its called Synaptic. > Just checked: Synaptic is maintained :) > > > > 4. ** Will it need to dual boot another OS eventually ** > > It will be multiboot from the start. I've been doing that with no problems > since Squeeze. > So it will boot 2x Debian - at different releases? > > > > 5. Give it a friendly name we can refer back to in subsequent exchanges :-) > > "Dell" as it is the only Dell laptop I own. My other machines are ThinkPads > and one custom ordered desktop now collecting dust. > > > > > The physical machine: > > > > 1. What model is it? Any idea how old? Laptop/desktop? > > A used Dell Latitude E6410 laptop purchased as a refurbished machine a few > years ago. > > > > > 2. Is it capable of running 64 bit software? > > Yes > > > > > 3. How much memory does it have [RAM]? > > 4GB > Maybe OK for Mate - slightly low for heavier weight desktops / significant additional dependencies. > > > > 4. How much disk does it have [GB]? How many disks? > > Internally a 150 GB HDD with ~32 GB free. 32G free is fairly small space for a full featured Debian, potentially. Would you be looking to replace either of the Debian copies already installed? > I have a collection of external drives available. > I can dedicate a 64 GB flash drive (still in bubble pack ;) > See elsewhere on debian-user, debian-boot etc. - installing entirely to flash drive may be less than performant especially if anything needs to swap. > > > > 5. What video controller does it have [if known] Intel > > > > 6. What ports or connectors does the machine have externally? > > Two USB ports are available > > > > Installation: > > > > Internet provider > > ----------------- > > > > 1. What internet bandwidth do you have available to you to do this? [Claimed > > max speed / real speed you get] > > Unknown. Suspect speed is limited to USB2 bandwidth. What speed do T Mobile claim that you are paying for / that you can download at? (They are probably assuming usage of WiFi here) > > > > > 2. That bandwidth gets to you how? Wired? Satellite? 4G connectivity? Ultimately via 4G connectivity - mediated via USB2 > > > > 3.Is that bandwidth shared between lots of devices - can you spare > > bandwidth/time for installation for this new machine? > > Used only by this machine. After bug report is created I will continue to > use purchased point releases. It is inescapably more convenient. > > > > > 4. Do you have an all inclusive plan for data/phone? > > I have never owned a so-called smart phone. Screens too small to be legible. > > > > > 5. Do you have a data cap? [Or a practical limit where you can only download > > X MB of data in six hours or so so large downloads are impractical]. > > Speed is acceptable. I have enough data cap space for an install using > netinst.iso . That could be a few GB download ... > > > > > Connecting to the ISP supplied device - the Alcatel? > > Yes > > > > > 1. What interface is provided by the device that the ISP has given you? > > *SOLD* I own it outright. The connection is USB. > > > > > 2. How do you control the ISP device to change settings / check > > connectivity? > > There is an app for that ;} > > > > > 3. Do you have a second device which you can use to connect to the ISP's > > device to check > > My service is tied exclusively to that device. So: if you want to check connectivity / speed: most ISP provided internet connected modem/router/access points have a web page to interface: you have no other device to check/change settings at the same time you're installing? > > > > > Given that we can't actually sit by your side > > Part of the reason I multiboot this operation. It makes error logs trivial > to pass on. > > One thing that explains why narrowly focus my question is that I have > decades in field support - some as field service some as engineering tech > support. At times the distinction has been rather fuzzy. > > > to do this: answers to some of > > these in order may help us figure out exactly how to go from here. > > TIA > > [Some comments added by me after looking up details of the Dell on the 'Net]. So: What do you _actually_ want to do, here. Be specific, if you can. All the very best, as ever, Andy C.
