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I have been tinkering with several distros for the eee since I bought it a couple of months ago.... please bear in mind that I am totally new to linux and what I have learnt has been informally over the last few months.
I installed ubuntu and loved it for a while until the slow boot speed started to irritate me. I then moved to breeezy, which was so light and responsive that I instantly fell in love... but this only lasted until I started wanting to install some other things - at which point it became clear that breeezy was pretty limited and unsupported.
Looking for the responsiveness of breeezy, coupled with the massive repositories and community of ubuntu has led me to Debian. Installing Debian for eee has been made very simple by the good folks at http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC.
To translate what you have to do into newbie, here are the steps:
1. Download this: http://eeepc.debian.net/images/debian-eeepc.img
2. Put it in some folder on a linux machine. Plug in a blank usb stick
3. Navigate to the folder in terminal and type:
dd if=debian-eeepc.img of=/dev/sdc
Where sdc is the name of the usb stick (don't put sdc1 - just sdc. It might be sdb or something else on your machine). Note that this command worked for me in breeezy, which is a very minimal system, so it will definitely work in xandros or ubuntu.
4. Turn off your eee & put the USB stick in it (remove any others and SD cards so you don't get confused later). Ensure that whatever wireless you connect to is on, as you will be installing debian over it.
5. Turn on the eee and press the escape (esc) key as soon as the light blue screen appears (after 1-2 seconds)
This brings up a nasty blue box asking you what device to boot from. Select the USB and hit enter.
You will then end up with lots of questions to answer... here are a few pointers:
You can select a different country and then a different keyboard layout (I chose UK and US respectively) - so don't think that you have to pick US as your country if the eee has a US keyboard (unless, obviously, you actually live in the USA)
It asks which internet connection to use to download over. Choose ath0, as this is the wireless.
Write down your user names and passwords!
At the end you get presented with a list of setup types, from "Desktop PC", through "file server", "latop" and many others. I chose "laptop" - this may or may not have been the correct decision! I vaguely remember seeing a suggestion that you should pick "standard install", but can't find it now.
6. Machine reboots. Debian seems to start, and (after entering user/password) left with a standard terminal prompt. There is no windows (there is no xorg.conf file). which brings me to....
Now what?
Here are the steps I think that I need to take... I would very much appreciate some guidance/help/suggestions
1. Ensure Wireless is working. I am assuming that it just is - I will try a wget command. But do I need to manually turn it on first? How (F2?)
2. Ensure Apt-get or Aptitude is working. Not sure which is best under Debian. But in any case, will it even work, or do I need to enable repositories (as in Xandros) in which case... how do you do that (by command line)?
3. Install some sort of windows/gui. This confuses me somewhat. There seem to be Window Managers (e.g. IceWM, Fluxbox) and Windows environments (e.g. Gnome, KDE). What is the difference? I understand that you have to have x-windows (also called "X11" or simply "X") before you can install anything, and I do have a folder called X11, which suggests that it is installed, but no xorg.conf file, which suggests that there is no gui installed. I would prefer to keep the machine light and speedy, so I am tending towards something like JWM or Fluxbox... but will that then hamper the use of other programs (like open office, or games like that one where Tux slides down a slope that comes with the default eee xandros)?
4. Install synaptic. Does Debian use synaptic? Is this right?
Once I have all the above I am pretty much well on my way to my perfect eee machine. Thanks in advance for the deluge of advice and assistance that I hope will be coming!
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First a disclaimer, Debian is not for newbies and trades the polish of some for customization. You can think of Debian as a geekier Ubuntu as well as Ubuntu as a more polished Debian.
1.) type "ifconfig -a" and see if you have a interface called wifi-0 or ath0. If not, then it is not installed properly. To get on a wireless ethernet from the command line do this (comments in these):
sudo ifconfig ath0 up (turn on the wireless, blue light didn't seem to work right so do this reguardless)
sudo iwlist scan ath0 | grep ESSID (shows all available wireless access points
sudo ifconfig ath0 ESSID="????" (associate with the available wirless access point)
sudo dhclient ath0 (get an ip address)
You should now be up
2.) apt-get is working, it just is, as it's used for a large portian of the installation. Aptitude generally is not installed by default
3.) run "sudo apt-get install xorg". When done, you can start a very basic X system by running "startx". Note that this does not install a graphical log in manager, or a fancy desktop. You can install one of these by installing the following packages: kde, gnome, xfce. There is a lot of freedom here, but you may not always get what you want. For example, I installed windowmaker as my window manager, but I still needed to install a graphical login program (I used wdm) in order to get a graphical log in.
4.) "sudo apt-get install synaptic". Yes, debian uses synaptic (it's acually the creator of the application, Ubuntu and Xandros just borrowed it.)
I hope this helps,
Grant
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Thanks kithera - that is very helpful for when I next get to play with my eee.
I was thinking of using fluxbox. Does this also need a "graphical log in program"? I read on some debian thread that it needs xdm (X Window Display Manager) - presumably this is related to wdm (WINGS Display Manager).
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Just looking at fluxbox's dependents in the synaptic package manager, I do not see any display manager as part of the fluxbox package.
If you want a graphical log in, you'll need a "display manager" of some kind. xdm (the most basic), wdm, gdm (used with gnome desktops, and the default on XUbuntu), and kdm (KDE's) are all completely interchangeable. Pick which ever one you like.
I like wdm if you're not going to use Gnome or KDE as it's still very light but looks a bit better than the xdm version.
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Kithera wrote:
First a disclaimer, Debian is not for newbies and trades the polish of some for customization. You can think of Debian as a geekier Ubuntu as well as Ubuntu as a more polished Debian.
1.) type "ifconfig -a" and see if you have a interface called wifi-0 or ath0. If not, then it is not installed properly. To get on a wireless ethernet from the command line do this (comments in these):
sudo ifconfig ath0 up (turn on the wireless, blue light didn't seem to work right so do this reguardless)
sudo iwlist scan ath0 | grep ESSID (shows all available wireless access points
sudo ifconfig ath0 ESSID="????" (associate with the available wirless access point)
sudo dhclient ath0 (get an ip address)
You should now be up
2.) apt-get is working, it just is, as it's used for a large portian of the installation. Aptitude generally is not installed by default
3.) run "sudo apt-get install xorg". When done, you can start a very basic X system by running "startx". Note that this does not install a graphical log in manager, or a fancy desktop. You can install one of these by installing the following packages: kde, gnome, xfce. There is a lot of freedom here, but you may not always get what you want. For example, I installed windowmaker as my window manager, but I still needed to install a graphical login program (I used wdm) in order to get a graphical log in.
4.) "sudo apt-get install synaptic". Yes, debian uses synaptic (it's acually the creator of the application, Ubuntu and Xandros just borrowed it.)
I hope this helps,
Grant
Installed xorg OK but startx doesn't work - it says command not recognised.
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OK... figured it out
You type
su
apt-get xorg
apt-get install fluxbox
apt-get install xdm
Then typing xdm launches fluxbox.
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If you like the performance and large repositories of Debian, but wish the OS and installation process had a bit more "user friendliness" available, you might consider sidux -- its user manual is the best I've seen. It runs great on my 4G 701. Here are relevant links, fyi:
http://sidux.com/PNphpBB2-viewtopic-t-7669.html
http://sidux.com/
http://manual.sidux.com/en/welcome-en.htm
To install the Atheros driver on your Eee PC:
http://wiki.eeeuser.com/ubuntu#wireless … fi_drivers ( and use the madwifi-nr-r3366+ar5007.tar.gz tarball )
And then to set up wireless:
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/HowTo/Wifi
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Thanks dibl, but I am pleased to announce
SUCCESS!!!!!
Debian automatically boots into xdm (I didn't do anything except install it). You enter your usernme and password into xdm, and then fluxbox launches. I am delighted, as I didn't have to do anything for that either.
Fluxbox has a menu if you right-click anywhere, so I used it to open a terminal, and from there typed
su
apt-get install synaptic
Synaptic then installed (142 meg!) and now I have it in fluxbox (again automatically) under APPLICATIONS-SYSTEM-PACKAGE MANAGEMENT. It was exactly as I remembered it in ubuntu. So, I installed iceweasel (firefox by another name to avoid the Debian folk getting huffy about trademarks), and here I am - my first post using Debian on the eee.
It has been an immensely easy and satisfying experience. I now have the package power of Debian, and it looks like breeey - my previous favourite distro on the eee. It even boots fast (55 secs from power to xdm log-in) and I haven't even tried to speed that up.
Overall A++++++++++++
Next up - install Rox, lgeneral, and open office (or abiword maybe - I have the power!)
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Haha, a convert! Welcome to Linux YOUR way!
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Kithera wrote:
Haha, a convert! Welcome to Linux YOUR way!
Thanks *blush* I have installed ROX, but I am looking for that rather excellent mounting device that breeezy has (MUT - Media Utility Tool). Closest seems to be psydm - does anyone out there know if MUT would work in debian, e.g. if I compiled it?????
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Hi Kerpob , I have been following your steps and installed debian on my eee . I had previously tried to have a Gnome eee , enabling either xandros repos or debian ones ,or trying Buntus , only there was always something wrong : sound , udev , wifi , webcam , hal .... Using debian installer was somewhat strange compared to installing from a live-CD . But you can obtain exactly the applications you want , and no more .
So now I've got a debian Gnome eee , and it rocks !
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oupsemma wrote:
Hi Kerpob , I have been following your steps and installed debian on my eee . I had previously tried to have a Gnome eee , enabling either xandros repos or debian ones ,or trying Buntus , only there was always something wrong : sound , udev , wifi , webcam , hal .... Using debian installer was somewhat strange compared to installing from a live-CD . But you can obtain exactly the applications you want , and no more .
So now I've got a debian Gnome eee , and it rocks !
That is great news. I am so delighted that this has been so easy and fun. Why didn't someone tell me earlier about Debian?
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kerpob wrote:
...
Synaptic then installed (142 meg!) and now I have it in fluxbox (again automatically) under APPLICATIONS-SYSTEM-PACKAGE MANAGEMENT. ...
You could have installed aptitude, which Debian recommend over apt-get.
Regds, mechanic.
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kerpob wrote:
oupsemma wrote:
Hi Kerpob , I have been following your steps and installed debian on my eee . I had previously tried to have a Gnome eee , enabling either xandros repos or debian ones ,or trying Buntus , only there was always something wrong : sound , udev , wifi , webcam , hal .... Using debian installer was somewhat strange compared to installing from a live-CD . But you can obtain exactly the applications you want , and no more .
So now I've got a debian Gnome eee , and it rocks !That is great news. I am so delighted that this has been so easy and fun. Why didn't someone tell me earlier about Debian?
I won't say it was easy the first time I tried , because I had not read your post and facing the terminal prompt after the first reboot was a real challenge for a Linux newbie like me ( exactly like you : now what ? and trying every (which is not a lot , in fact) command i could think of ) . Then I discover your post and everything became clearer .
I really don't understand why people don't tell about Debian .
Debian Eee......what else ?
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mechanic wrote:
kerpob wrote:
...
Synaptic then installed (142 meg!) and now I have it in fluxbox (again automatically) under APPLICATIONS-SYSTEM-PACKAGE MANAGEMENT. ...You could have installed aptitude, which Debian recommend over apt-get.
Regds, mechanic.
Does aptitude have a similar visual approach that synaptic has? I like the way you can browse and see summaries (and web-links) on synaptic. My (sketchy) understanding of aptuitude is that it is simply a command that you can use instead of apt-get. I don't think it has a gui like synaptic.
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oupsemma wrote:
kerpob wrote:
oupsemma wrote:
Hi Kerpob , I have been following your steps and installed debian on my eee . I had previously tried to have a Gnome eee , enabling either xandros repos or debian ones ,or trying Buntus , only there was always something wrong : sound , udev , wifi , webcam , hal .... Using debian installer was somewhat strange compared to installing from a live-CD . But you can obtain exactly the applications you want , and no more .
So now I've got a debian Gnome eee , and it rocks !That is great news. I am so delighted that this has been so easy and fun. Why didn't someone tell me earlier about Debian?
I won't say it was easy the first time I tried , because I had not read your post and facing the terminal prompt after the first reboot was a real challenge for a Linux newbie like me ( exactly like you : now what ? and trying every (which is not a lot , in fact) command i could think of ) . Then I discover your post and everything became clearer .
I really don't understand why people don't tell about Debian .
Debian Eee......what else ?
Us newbies need to stick together! I am sick reading threads where someone says something like "oh yes, just go in as root and edit the config file to include patching". I read this and I'm thiniking "I really want to do this, but what is 'root'? where is the config file? Whereabouts in it do I put in patching - and how? Do I then need to run some sort of update?"
We really need step by step instructions and I have made a resolution that I will always try to write my posts as if to someone who has only just figured out how to open the terminal. This is especially important for the eee where most users are completely new to linux.
Can someone tell me why Debian doesn't have the "sudo" command, like ubuntu does? If I type "sudo xxxx" I just get some smug message about how I should contact my admin and bla bla. So I always end up having to become the super-user (by typing "su") before doing anything.
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kerpob wrote:
Can someone tell me why Debian doesn't have the "sudo" command, like ubuntu does? If I type "sudo xxxx" I just get some smug message about how I should contact my admin and bla bla. So I always end up having to become the super-user (by typing "su") before doing anything.
Debian uses an explicit root account with a login/password instead of the 'sudo' approach - which as you know gives any user in the appropriate group (on the eeePC that appears to be the whole world) temporary access to the root account. The more traditional approach from UNIX days was as Debian implements it. Ubuntu have a good page which spells out the pros and cons of the two approaches here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo
I think the best bet with Debian is to go with the root login approach but to use a bash prompt that clearly warns (eg by changing colour) that you're in the root account. Trying to force Debian to use sudo involves fiddling with a system file that might give real problems if you mess it up.
Regds, mechanic.
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kerpob wrote:
Does aptitude have a similar visual approach that synaptic has? I like the way you can browse and see summaries (and web-links) on synaptic. My (sketchy) understanding of aptitude is that it is simply a command that you can use instead of apt-get. I don't think it has a gui like synaptic.
No it doesn't, which may or may not be an advantage. Suck it and see (type sudo aptitude in a terminal/console, it may need to be installed first, not sure!). It is a console app, rather than a simple command line one like apt-get. It's supposed to be better with handling dependencies.
Regds, mechanic
Last edited by mechanic (2008-06-02 12:49:45 pm)
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oupsemma wrote:
...
I won't say it was easy the first time I tried , because I had not read your post and facing the terminal prompt after the first reboot was a real challenge for a Linux newbie like me ( exactly like you : now what ? and trying every (which is not a lot , in fact) command i could think of ) . Then I discover your post and everything became clearer ...
Going back over the thread - I'm not clear on one point. Usually on Debian installs you get a choice as to what system type you want, including mail servers, desktop workstations and what not. Did you pick the desktop install or was there no option but the minimum command prompt that required later downloading the greeter and the desktop manager?
Regds, mechanic.
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kerpob wrote:
Can someone tell me why Debian doesn't have the "sudo" command, like ubuntu does? If I type "sudo xxxx" I just get some smug message about how I should contact my admin and bla bla. So I always end up having to become the super-user (by typing "su") before doing anything.
Sudo, like everything else, can be installed via apt-get. It's a rather detailed program and provides a lot a flexibility when used, so the Debian folks didn't assume you wanted the common "sudo to do everything" style input.
apt-get it, and edit your sudoers file as desired.
And about MUT, EVERYTHING compiles nicely in Debian, when you get all the necessary libraries. Apt-get build-essential to get started. If a configure script complains about lack of a library, remember you need the "-dev" version of it.
Last edited by Kithera (2008-06-02 1:19:56 pm)
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mechanic wrote:
oupsemma wrote:
...
I won't say it was easy the first time I tried , because I had not read your post and facing the terminal prompt after the first reboot was a real challenge for a Linux newbie like me ( exactly like you : now what ? and trying every (which is not a lot , in fact) command i could think of ) . Then I discover your post and everything became clearer ...Going back over the thread - I'm not clear on one point. Usually on Debian installs you get a choice as to what system type you want, including mail servers, desktop workstations and what not. Did you pick the desktop install or was there no option but the minimum command prompt that required later downloading the greeter and the desktop manager?
Regds, mechanic.
Clearly it was the second one , with a real minimum installation first , then after rebooting I had to install xorg , gdm ( I looove Gnome ) , Synaptic ; and then I have carefully chosen the applications I wanted .
So it seems not to be the usual way to do ? But I liked it , it was challenging the first time I installed it , as I didn't succeed to find how to obtain anything like a desktop , then I reinstalled Xandros , found kerpob 's post that I had not read before , and was able to install Debian eee for a second time , this time for good .
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I would say that every option is common. A lot of people like Debian be cause of the do-it-yourself nature of it. The only difference between any of those options is the number and type of packages installed.
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I really like this do-it-yourself way of doing and the fact that you have better control on what you have/need to install on your computer . Not to speak about the challenge it represents to come to know how the computer behaves , it's thrilling for me .
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Hi Everyone !
I really enjoyed reading your comments.
I have been using Debian on my Desktop for about 1 Year. I am running 3 Distributions at the same time to get experience. Stable, Testing and UNstable (Sid). Debian is great.
Now I got an eeePC and wasnt satisfied with Xandros cos u cannot really adjust it to your needs (shortcuts...) - just doesnt feel right.
I would love to have debian on my eee, I installed eeePCLinuxOS and its just not really linux.
My Problem:
I installed Debian on my little eee today, just like I did on my desktop. But I couldnt get the wireless working. I have no experience with wireless and Debian cos on my Desktop I have cable.
So my question is - is there any howto to make wlan work according to my needs, e.g. roaming any wireless available (as I am really mobile and use several accesspoints). The changes I made according to the howto on www.debian.org made my eee not boot at all. It hang when it configured wireless at boot.
All I figured out today, was setting up ONE wifi but I couldnt search for others and choose to which to connect.
My second problem: When u install, do you only use Laptop - cos you installed X afterwards. Was it cos you didnt want to have a bloated system ? my debian boots in around 1 min and i installed gnome. Is it much faster with fluxbox ? I could deinstall gnome, if it was.
My third question: Anyone yet set up a 3G connection ? Ive got a HSDPA Stick HUAWEI - worked fine with Xandros and I managed to set it up with Lenny with wvdial. But I cant remeber how. So if anyone has a howto I'd be thankful.
Enough questions :-)
Thanks in advance for any help.
keeep eeeing
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Did you use the eeepc installer thats mentioned at the top of this thread? It sounds to me like you installed using a standard debian installer, in which case the wireless, nor the ethernet card will be detected during install. (they both require modules that aren't in the mainline kernel yet) See the wiki pages we have for installing debian on the eee.
And for those that have installed debian on your eee, if you think theres some information that could be helpfull to other users which is not yet covered on the wiki, please feel free to add to it.
Last edited by liable (2008-06-02 9:52:40 pm)
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