Re: Debian Won't Install! (System Locks Up)
Nobody else has any ideas about this besides Chris?
On Wednesday 12 December 2001 05:53 pm, Mark Seven Smith
wrote:
> 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
> pampaluz@home.com
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