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<h1 class="firstHeading">Installing Debian on a small partition</h1>
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<p><br />
<b>Abstract</b>
</p><p>This article explains how to install desktop Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (Etch) from CD/DVD on a small hard disk or partition (around 1 GB). The instructions can also be used for installations to larger discs/partitions or installation from a preconfigured ADSL broadband ethernet modem/router, preferably with built-in DHCP. You still need the Binary-1 CD or DVD (or the 160 MB network install CD) containing the installer itself. If you do not have a CD drive, refer to the <a href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual" class="external text.html" title="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual" rel="nofollow">Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 -- Installation Guide</a>. You can download ISO images of the CDs/DVDs from <a href="http://www.debian.org/CD/" class="external free" title="http://www.debian.org/CD/" rel="nofollow">http://www.debian.org/CD/</a>.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<table id="toc" class="toc" summary="Contents"><tr><td><div id="toctitle"><h2>Contents</h2></div>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Documentation"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Documentation</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Requirements"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Requirements</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Outline"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Outline</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Recommended_approach"><span class="tocnumber">3.1</span> <span class="toctext">Recommended approach</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Summary"><span class="tocnumber">3.2</span> <span class="toctext">Summary</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_the_base_system"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Installing the base system</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Choose_regional_settings_for_the_installer"><span class="tocnumber">4.1</span> <span class="toctext">Choose regional settings for the installer</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Automatically_detect_CD.2FDVD_and_network"><span class="tocnumber">4.2</span> <span class="toctext">Automatically detect CD/DVD and network</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Set_the_hostname"><span class="tocnumber">4.3</span> <span class="toctext">Set the hostname</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Partition_the_hard_disc"><span class="tocnumber">4.4</span> <span class="toctext">Partition the hard disc</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#All_files_in_one_partition"><span class="tocnumber">4.4.1</span> <span class="toctext">All files in one partition</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Guided_partitioning"><span class="tocnumber">4.4.2</span> <span class="toctext">Guided partitioning</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Finish_partitioning"><span class="tocnumber">4.4.3</span> <span class="toctext">Finish partitioning</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Setting_up_users_and_passwords"><span class="tocnumber">4.5</span> <span class="toctext">Setting up users and passwords</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_the_base_system_and_the_boot_loader"><span class="tocnumber">4.6</span> <span class="toctext">Installing the base system and the boot loader</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#You_configure_the_popularity_contest"><span class="tocnumber">4.6.1</span> <span class="toctext">You configure the popularity contest</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#The_installer_selects_and_installs_more_software"><span class="tocnumber">4.6.2</span> <span class="toctext">The installer selects and installs more software</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#You_choose_some_software_collections_to_install"><span class="tocnumber">4.6.3</span> <span class="toctext">You choose some software collections to install</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Install_the_Grub_bootloader"><span class="tocnumber">4.6.4</span> <span class="toctext">Install the Grub bootloader</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Finish_the_installation"><span class="tocnumber">4.6.5</span> <span class="toctext">Finish the installation</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_X_and_desktop.28s.29_after_base_system_configuration"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">Installing X and desktop(s) after base system configuration</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Install_X_using_Aptitude"><span class="tocnumber">5.1</span> <span class="toctext">Install X using Aptitude</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Configure_the_X_server_to_suit_your_hardware"><span class="tocnumber">5.2</span> <span class="toctext">Configure the X server to suit your hardware</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_TWM_window_manager"><span class="tocnumber">5.3</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the TWM window manager</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_metacity_window_manager"><span class="tocnumber">5.4</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the metacity window manager</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_enlightenment_window_manager"><span class="tocnumber">5.5</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the enlightenment window manager</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_blackbox_window_manager"><span class="tocnumber">5.6</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the blackbox window manager</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_fluxbox_window_manager"><span class="tocnumber">5.7</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the fluxbox window manager</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_icewm_window_manager"><span class="tocnumber">5.8</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the icewm window manager</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Testing_X_and_the_xfce4_lightweight_desktop_environment"><span class="tocnumber">5.9</span> <span class="toctext">Testing X and the xfce4 lightweight desktop environment</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_heavyweight_desktops"><span class="tocnumber">5.10</span> <span class="toctext">Installing heavyweight desktops</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_lightweight_desktop_Icewm"><span class="tocnumber">5.11</span> <span class="toctext">Installing lightweight desktop Icewm</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_graphical_login_Gdm"><span class="tocnumber">5.12</span> <span class="toctext">Installing graphical login Gdm</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Installing_the_graphical_software_installer_Synaptic"><span class="tocnumber">5.13</span> <span class="toctext">Installing the graphical software installer Synaptic</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Configuring_the_network_for_broadband"><span class="tocnumber">5.14</span> <span class="toctext">Configuring the network for broadband</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Appendix_A:_Licence"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">Appendix A: Licence</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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<p><br />
</p>
<a name="Documentation"></a><h2> <span class="mw-headline">1 Documentation </span></h2>
<p><a href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual" class="external text.html" title="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual" rel="nofollow">Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 -- Installation Guide</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/" class="external text.html" title="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/" rel="nofollow">Debian Reference</a>
</p>
<a name="Requirements"></a><h2> <span class="mw-headline">2 Requirements </span></h2>
<p>32 MB RAM.
</p><p>Hard disc space for a new partition (256 MB for the base system plus space for additional software). If you want to install the X-Window System, you'll need at least 490MB plus space for applications. For a complete desktop system, you will need a few gigabytes.
</p><p>Preferably, you also need a small swap partition (rule of thumb: twice the size of your RAM).
</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<th>Install
</th><th>HDD space needed
</th></tr>
<tr>
<td>Basic system
</td><td>about 490 MB
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Swap partition
</td><td>50-150 MB
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>X Window System
</td><td>about 145 MB
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>and X window manager
</td><td>1 MB upwards
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>or lightweight desktop (Xfce4)
</td><td>about 40 MB
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>or heavyweight desktop (KDE/Gnome)
</td><td>about 220 - 920 MB
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Space for applications and user files
</td><td>
</td></tr></table>
<p>So the smallest text only installation would require at least 550MB plus space for applications and user files. The smallest X installation would be about 700MB plus space for applications and user files. An installation with a lightweight desktop would need around 740 MB plus space for applications and user files. A basic Gnome or KDE desktop needs 1GB or more and a full Gnome or KDE desktop needs 1600 MB plus space for applications and user files.
</p><p>Installation will be much smoother if you know a little bit about the Linux filesystem, partition naming and other <a href="http://newbiedoc.berlios.de/wiki/Debian_basic_features.html" title="Debian basic features">Debian basic features</a>. If in doubt during installation, accepting the default usually works.
</p>
<a name="Outline"></a><h2> <span class="mw-headline">3 Outline </span></h2>
<p>A simple install gives you a 2.4 kernel and the option to install the full desktop environment (around 1.5 Gb). There is no point in installing an old kernel in a fresh installation. Use the 'linux26' install for a 2.6 kernel. If you do not have enough room for a full desktop environment installation, you can install the base system and opt not to install the desktop environment. Then finish the installation, login as root and install the X-Window System and your own choice(s) of desktop environment (see <a href="Installing_Debian_on_a_small_partition.html#Summary.html" title="">summary</a> below). You can run both Gnome applications and KDE applications without either the Gnome or KDE desktops installed. The package manager will automatically install any required libraries.
</p><p>Although the installer is on CD or DVD, you have the option of installing the bulk of the software from CD/DVDs, PPP (dial-up modem) or network (eg ADSL/broadband ethernet router). Dial-up is unrealistic, 50M broadband takes 2-3 hours, CD/DVD less than an hour. You can setup networking during installation, but if you do, the installer will assume that you want to install from the network. This will result in delays if you are actually installing from CD/DVD as the installer checks for the (unused) network connection at various times. It is straightforward to set up the network after installation.
</p><p>If you have an ethernet ADSL broadband connection, Debian will recognise any DHCP server in your modem/router and accept a connection lease from it. Otherwise you will need to know the gateway IP address provided by your modem/router (often 192.168.1.1). If you do not run a DHCP server on your network, you must give your computer a static IP address on the same network. For example, if your private network is 192.168.1.0 and the gateway is 192.168.1.1, you could assign your computers 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3, etc with netmasks 255.255.255.0.
</p>
<a name="Recommended_approach"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">3.1 Recommended approach </span></h3>
<p>Disconnect any network cables and boot from the Binary-1 DVD (unless you wish to install from the network). Install the base system from DVD with the 2.6 kernel ('linux26' at the boot prompt). If you are short of space, do not install the Desktop Environment during installation. After installation you can choose leaner options separately - install X, desktop(s), X screensaver, graphical login (Gdm) and graphical software package installer (Synaptic).
</p>
<a name="Summary"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">3.2 Summary </span></h3>
<p>install the base system with the 2.6 kernel (299 MB)
</p><p>install and test the X-Window System (143MB)
</p><p>install
</p>
<ul><li> full Gnome heavyweight desktop (919 MB)
</li><li> or install minimal Gnome heavyweight desktop (391 MB)
</li><li> or install full KDE heavyweight desktop (903 MB)
</li><li> or install minimal KDE heavyweight desktop (213 MB)
</li><li> or install Icewm lightweight desktop (7 MB)
</li><li> or install a combination of desktops
</li></ul>
<p>install xscreensaver, gdm, synaptic
</p><p>install applications
</p>
<a name="Installing_the_base_system"></a><h2> <span class="mw-headline">4 Installing the base system </span></h2>
<p>Boot from DVD Binary-1. At the prompt enter install.
</p>
<pre>boot: install
</pre>
<p>The blue screen text interface is known as ncurses. Navigate with arrow keys, tab key, space bar and enter key.
</p>
<a name="Choose_regional_settings_for_the_installer"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">4.1 Choose regional settings for the installer </span></h3>
<p>Select regional settings to suit your computer. The examples below are typical for the UK.
</p>
<pre>Choose language
English- English
</pre>
<pre>Choose country or region
United Kingdom
</pre>
<pre>Select a keyboard layout
British English
</pre>
<a name="Automatically_detect_CD.2FDVD_and_network"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">4.2 Automatically detect CD/DVD and network </span></h3>
<pre>Detecting hardware to find CD-ROM drives
Scanning CD-ROM
Loading additional components
</pre>
<p>If a network card is detected and connected to a network with a DHCP server (eg an ADSL broadband ethernet modem/router):
</p>
<pre>Detecting network hardware
Configuring the network with DHCP
</pre>
<p>or if a network card is detected but not connected to a network:
</p>
<pre>Network autoconfiguration failed
</pre>
<p>If you know that you are connected to a network, you can configure the network manually:
</p>
<pre>Configure network manually
</pre>
<p>You must supply the following information about the new installation:
</p>
<ul><li>IP address
</li><li>Netmask
</li><li>Gateway
</li><li>Name server addresses
</li><li>Hostname
</li><li>Domain name
</li></ul>
<p>If you are installing from CD/DVD and not from a network, you can leave any network configuration until after installation is complete.
</p>
<pre>Do not configure the network at this time
</pre>
<a name="Set_the_hostname"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">4.3 Set the hostname </span></h3>
<p>The hostname is the nme of the computer as it appears to a network. It also appears on the commandline prompt so keep it short eg 'mybox'..
</p>
<pre>Hostname: mybox
</pre>
<p>If DHCP autoconfiguration succeded, you also need to enter the domain name (name of the local network) eg 'home'. Otherwise, go on to the next section to partition the hard disk.
</p>
<pre>Domain name: home
</pre>
<a name="Partition_the_hard_disc"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">4.4 Partition the hard disc </span></h3>
<pre>Detecting disks
Starting up the partitioner
</pre>
<p>You should have a disc with enough space on it - either an empty, unpartitioned disc or a disc with some free space. The simplest option is to use all of the free space on the hard disc, although this will erase any existing systems (eg Windows). If you want to install Debian in addition to an existing system and have dual booting, read the <a href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual" class="external text.html" title="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual" rel="nofollow">Debian Installation Guide</a>. Assuming that you wish to use the whole disc for Debian, follow these instructions.
</p>
<pre>Partition disks
Guided - use entire disk
</pre>
<p>Select the disc to partition and install to:
</p>
<pre>Select disk to partition
IDE1 master (hda) - 2.0 GB SOME_MANUFACTURER HARDDISK
</pre>
<a name="All_files_in_one_partition"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.4.1 All files in one partition </span></h4>
<p>The easiest method is to select the simplest partitioning scheme which installs all the files into one partition. Alternatively, use guided partitioning (see next section).
</p>
<pre>All files in one partition - (recommended for new users)
</pre>
<p>Skip the next section and go straight to "Finish partitioning".
</p>
<a name="Guided_partitioning"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.4.2 Guided partitioning </span></h4>
<p>The hard drive will be identified by "hda", "sda" or something similar.
</p>
<pre>IDE1 master (hda) - 2.0 GB SOME_MANUFACTURER HARDDISK
</pre>
<p>If you are doing a simple installation and overwriting the whole disc, you will see one primary partition. It will be partition number 1 formatted with the "ext3" filesystem and a mountpoint of "/" ("root of filesystem")
</p>
<pre>> #1 primary 1.9 GB B f ext3 /
</pre>
<p>There will be another small "logical" partition for the swap space. Partition number 5 is the first available logical partition. It will be formatted for use as swap.
</p>
<pre>> #5 logical 148 MB f swap swap
</pre>
<p>Select the option to finish partitioning, and continue.
</p>
<pre>Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
</pre>
<p>The installer will warn you that you are about to erase your hard drive.
</p>
<pre>WARNING: This will destroy all data on any partitions ... that are going to be formatted.
[...]
Write the changes to disks?
</pre>
<p>Select "Yes", and continue.
</p>
<pre>Yes
</pre>
<a name="Finish_partitioning"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.4.3 Finish partitioning </span></h4>
<pre>Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
</pre>
<pre>Write the changes to disks?
Yes
</pre>
<p>The installer creates the new partitions, formats them and sets the clock. The coloured bars show progress.
</p>
<pre>Partitions formatting
Setting up the clock
</pre>
<a name="Setting_up_users_and_passwords"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">4.5 Setting up users and passwords </span></h3>
<p>Your new Debian system must have an all-powerful superuser called "root". You must enter a password for user root.
</p>
<pre>Root password: ******
Re-enter password to verify: ******
</pre>
<p>Continue to the next screen. You should normally login to your new system only as a normal user. You must set up a normal user and password now. You can add more users when the installation is complete.
</p>
<pre>Full name for the new user: Firstname Surname
</pre>
<p>Continue to the next screen to set the username for the account. This name will be used to login, regulate access to certain files and to define a user area for storing personal work and configuration files called a "home directory".
</p>
<pre>Username for your account: nickname
</pre>
<p>Continue to the next screen to set a password for your new normal user.
</p>
<pre>Choose a password for the new user: ******
Re-enter password to verify: ******
</pre>
<a name="Installing_the_base_system_and_the_boot_loader"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">4.6 Installing the base system and the boot loader </span></h3>
<p>This should procede automatically. You can follow progress on the screen.
</p>
<pre>Installing the base system
</pre>
<p>The installer configures the package manager. Debian's Advanced Package Tool (APT) is a system that makes finding and installing software very easy. The installer configures APT with the settings you need. The coloured bar shows progress.
</p>
<pre>Configuring apt
</pre>
<p>The installer may ask you whether you wish to use a network mirror server for supplementary software. It is wise to answer "yes" if you are connected to a network. You can answer "No" if you are installing software only from CD/DVD.
</p>
<pre>Use a network mirror?
Yes or No (see text)
</pre>
<p>The installer tries to access security updates from a repository on the Debian website. This will fail if you are not yet connected to the internet. If you get a failure message, just continue to the next screen. You can enable security updates after installation (eg by editing the file /etc/apt/sources.list and uncommenting the line for security updates).
</p>
<pre>Cannot access security updates
</pre>
<p>The installer fetches and installs some of the files needed for the core of a Debian system. The coloured bar shows progress.
</p>
<pre>Select and install software
</pre>
<a name="You_configure_the_popularity_contest"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.6.1 You configure the popularity contest </span></h4>
<p>The popularity contest is software that sends statistics to Debian software developers about the software you use most frequently. Popularity contest needs a network connection. If you do not want to participate at the moment, choose "No" and continue. If you change your mind later, you can reconfigure "popularity-contest" with the "dpkg-reconfigure" program.
</p>
<pre>No
</pre>
<a name="The_installer_selects_and_installs_more_software"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.6.2 The installer selects and installs more software </span></h4>
<p>The installer fetches and installs more of the files needed for the core of a Debian system. The coloured bar shows progress.
</p>
<pre>Select and install software
</pre>
<a name="You_choose_some_software_collections_to_install"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.6.3 You choose some software collections to install </span></h4>
<p>You will need just the core of the Debian system to start with.
</p>
<pre>Standard system
</pre>
<p>Then continue. You can watch progress with the coloured bar as the installer selects and installs the software.
</p>
<pre>Select and install software
</pre>
<a name="Install_the_Grub_bootloader"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.6.4 Install the Grub bootloader </span></h4>
<p>The bootloader is a little program used by the computer's BIOS to boot your new Debian system.
</p>
<pre>Installing GRUB boot loader
</pre>
<p>You normally install the bootloader to the MBR (Master Boot Record). The MBR is a small sector at the beginning of your first hard disc.
</p>
<pre>Install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record?
Yes
</pre>
<p>The coloured bar shows progress.
</p>
<a name="Finish_the_installation"></a><h4> <span class="mw-headline">4.6.5 Finish the installation </span></h4>
<pre>Installation complete
</pre>
<p>When the installation is finished, the CDROM is ejected. You can remove the CD and continue.
</p>
<pre>Continue
</pre>
<p>Your computer will now boot into the wonderful world of Debian. This is just a basic installation without the X Window System or graphical desktops. It takes up about 476 MiB (488 MB) plus the swap partition (145 MiB, 148 MB in the example). Of course, you will need more space for applications, work/data files etc.
</p>
<a name="Installing_X_and_desktop.28s.29_after_base_system_configuration"></a><h2> <span class="mw-headline">5 Installing X and desktop(s) after base system configuration </span></h2>
<p>Login as a normal user (eg fred).
</p>
<pre>login: fred
Password: *****
$
</pre>
<p>Use Aptitude to install the packages you need from the command line. You need root's privileges for this. You can do this by switching user temporarily using Su and supplying the password you chose for user root. A normal user's prompt is $ and root's prompt is #. When you have finished, switch back by entering 'exit' or pressing Ctrl-D.
</p>
<pre>$ su
Password: *****
#
</pre>
<a name="Install_X_using_Aptitude"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.1 Install X using Aptitude </span></h3>
<p>If you will be installing from a network (eg the internet) and not using any CDROMs or DVDs, make sure that you comment out any "deb cdrom" lines in /etc/apt/sources.list.
</p>
<pre># nano /etc/apt/sources.list
</pre>
<pre># deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 ...]/ etch main non-free contrib
</pre>
<p>If you comment out the CDROM lines, make sure that there is a line for a Debian mirror eg <a href="http://ftp.uk.debian.org" class="external free.html" title="http://ftp.uk.debian.org" rel="nofollow">http://ftp.uk.debian.org</a>.
</p>
<pre>deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ etch main non-free contrib
</pre>
<pre># aptitude install xorg
...119 newly installed... After unpacking 143 MB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Configure_the_X_server_to_suit_your_hardware"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.2 Configure the X server to suit your hardware </span></h3>
<pre>#dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
</pre>
<pre>Configuring xserver-xorg
Attempt to autodetect video hardware?
Yes
Please select the XKB rule set to use
xorg
Please select your keyboard model.
pc105
Please select your keyboard layout.
gb
Please select your keyboard variant.
(leave blank)
Please select your keyboard options.
(leave blank)
Please choose your mouse port.
(eg /dev/input/mice)
</pre>
<p>If your monitor is an LCD device (eg a notebook), answer 'yes' to the next question. If it is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) device, answer 'no'.
</p>
<pre>Is your monitor an LCD device?
</pre>
<p>Set up your monitor. If you do not know anything about your CRT monitor except its size, choose Simple. Otherwise, Medium should be fine.
</p>
<pre>Choose a method for selecting your monitor characteristics.
Medium
</pre>
<p>Set the best video mode for your monitor/video card combination. A fairly recent monitor should be capable of 1024x768 @ 75Hz. Select the video modes using the space bar.
</p>
<pre>Please select your monitor's best video mode.
(eg 1024x768 @ 75Hz)
Please select the video modes you would like the X server to use.
[*] 1024x768
[*] 800x600
[*] 640x480
Please select your default color depth in bits.
eg 24
</pre>
<p><br />
</p>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_TWM_window_manager"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.3 Testing X and the TWM window manager </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install twm
</pre>
<pre>...2 newly installed... After unpacking 2060 kB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<p>Enter the command startx to start X.
</p>
<pre>$ startx
</pre>
<p>You should see a coarse grey screen with an X cursor. Check that the cursor responds to the mouse. Move the cursor over the terminal window to activate it (outline cursor becomes solid).
</p><p>Run twm from the command prompt.
</p>
<pre>$twm
</pre>
<p>Twm provides only basic window functions). Hold down the left mouse button for the menu. Move down the menu and to the right for sub-menus. To exit, highlight 'Exit', move to the right highlight 'Yes, really quit' and release the mouse button.
</p>
<pre>Exit -> Yes, really quit
</pre>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_metacity_window_manager"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.4 Testing X and the metacity window manager </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install metacity
</pre>
<pre>...29 newly installed... After unpacking 47.3 MB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_enlightenment_window_manager"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.5 Testing X and the enlightenment window manager </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install enlightenment
</pre>
<pre>...13 newly installed... After unpacking 8989 kB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_blackbox_window_manager"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.6 Testing X and the blackbox window manager </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install blackbox
...2 newly installed... After unpacking 1040 kB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_fluxbox_window_manager"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.7 Testing X and the fluxbox window manager </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install fluxbox
...2 newly installed... After unpacking 2425 kB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_icewm_window_manager"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.8 Testing X and the icewm window manager </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install icewm
...12 newly installed... After unpacking 1256/2059 kB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Testing_X_and_the_xfce4_lightweight_desktop_environment"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.9 Testing X and the xfce4 lightweight desktop environment </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install xfce4
...91 newly installed... After unpacking 29.6 MB/38.3 MB kB will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n/?] y
</pre>
<a name="Installing_heavyweight_desktops"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.10 Installing heavyweight desktops </span></h3>
<p>These are the commands for installing various desktops. Remember to switch user to root first and switch back again when you have finished.
</p><p>Full Gnome
</p>
<pre># aptitude install gnome
...428 newly installed... 919MB will be used
</pre>
<p>Basic Gnome (accept defaults for configuration).
</p>
<pre># aptitude install gnome-core
...221 newly installed... 391MB will be used
</pre>
<p>Fix error running due to no xscreensaver package (optional). Accept defaults for configuration.
</p>
<pre># aptitude install xscreensaver
...8 newly installed... 12.9 MB will be used
</pre>
<p>Full KDE
</p>
<pre># aptitude install kde
...493 newly installed... 903 MB will be used
</pre>
<p>Basic KDE
</p>
<pre># aptitude install kde-core
118 newly installed, 213 MB will be used
</pre>
<a name="Installing_lightweight_desktop_Icewm"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.11 Installing lightweight desktop Icewm </span></h3>
<pre># aptitude install icewm
...8 newly installed... 6275kB will be used
</pre>
<a name="Installing_graphical_login_Gdm"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.12 Installing graphical login Gdm </span></h3>
<p>The default graphical login is provided by X Display Manager (Xdm), but Gnome Display Manager (Gdm) has more features. The chosen display manager is loaded automatically after next reboot.
</p><p>To install gdm
</p>
<pre># aptitude install gdm
...34 newly installed... 16.7MB will be used
</pre>
<p>Later, you can configure gdm from its own login screen or using the gdmsetup command. This may be available from the desktop menu. For example, in Icewm:
</p>
<pre>Programs -> Apps -> System -> GDM Setup
</pre>
<a name="Installing_the_graphical_software_installer_Synaptic"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.13 Installing the graphical software installer Synaptic </span></h3>
<p>Synaptic is a graphical package manager for APT (Debian's Advanced Package Tool). If you are running X, you will want to use this instead of Aptitude.
</p>
<pre># aptitude install synaptic
...? newly installed... ???MB will be used
</pre>
<p>Synaptic may be available from the desktop menu. For example, in Icewm:
</p>
<pre>Programs -> Apps -> System -> Synaptic Package Manager
</pre>
<a name="Configuring_the_network_for_broadband"></a><h3> <span class="mw-headline">5.14 Configuring the network for broadband </span></h3>
<p>Make sure that your modem/router is already configured, switched on, connected to the telephone system and connected to your PC.
</p><p>If you are in X, open a terminal window.
</p><p>Switch user to root and edit the file /etc/network/interfaces using Nano.
</p>
<pre>$ su
Password:
# nano /etc/network/interfaces
</pre>
<p>If you have DHCP running on the network, add these lines:
</p>
<pre>auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
</pre>
<p>If you wish instead to allocate a static IP address to your computer, add something like this (modify as needed):
</p>
<pre>auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.1.2
netmask 255.255.255.0
network 192.168.1.0
broadcast 192.168.1.255
gateway 192.168.1.1
</pre>
<p>Then save the file and exit
</p>
<pre>Ctrl-O
Ctrl-X
</pre>
<p>See man interfaces for the manual page.
</p><p>Bring the interface up with Ifup and test it using Ping.
</p>
<pre># ifup eth0
# ping google.co.uk
PING google.co.uk (216.239.39.104) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 216.239.39.104: icmp_seq=1 ttl=243 time=107 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.39.104: icmp_seq=2 ttl=243 time=107 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.39.104: icmp_seq=3 ttl=243 time=107 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.39.104: icmp_seq=4 ttl=243 time=107 ms
Ctrl-Z
</pre>
<p>Switch back to the normal user.
</p>
<pre># Ctrl-D
$
</pre>
<p>The 'auto' line in the /etc/network/interfaces file ensures that the interface is brought up automatically at boot time.
</p>
<a name="Appendix_A:_Licence"></a><h2> <span class="mw-headline">6 Appendix A: Licence </span></h2>
<p>Copyright (c) 2005-2007 Chris Lale. chrislale AT berlios DOT de.
</p>
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