Package: installation-reports The following installation report was posted to debian-boot, and, according to my records, never followed up on. I am putting it in the BTS so it will not be lost. ----- Forwarded message from Dustin Harriman <dustinharriman@yahoo.ca> ----- From: Dustin Harriman <dustinharriman@yahoo.ca> Date: 22 Jan 2004 19:14:08 -0800 To: submit@bugs.debian.org Subject: Bug#229113: Package: installation-reports Reply-To: Dustin Harriman <dustinharriman@yahoo.ca>, 229113@bugs.debian.org X-Mailer: Ximian Evolution 1.0.5 Package: installation-reports Debian-installer-version: Jan 22 2004 http://people.debian.org/cdimage/testing/netinst/i386/beta2/sarge-i386-netinst.iso uname -a: Linux tact 2.4.22-1-386 #9 Sat Oct 14 14:30:39 EST 2003 i686 unknown Date: Jan 19 2004 Method: Installed base from CD, booted from CD. Machine: Toshiba Satellite 1130 Processor: Celeron 2.0 Ghz Memory: 256 MB Root Device: IDE hard drive /dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/disc Root Size/partition table: available upon request Output of lspci: 00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corp. 82852/855GM Host Bridge (rev 01) 00:00.1 System peripheral: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 3584 (rev 01) 00:00.3 System peripheral: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 3585 (rev 01) 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corp. 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 01) 00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corp. 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 01) 00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801DB USB (Hub #1) (rev 03) 00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801DB USB (Hub #2) (rev 03) 00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801DB USB (Hub #3) (rev 03) 00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801DB USB2 (rev 03) 00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp. 82801BAM/CAM PCI Bridge (rev 83) 00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corp. 82801DBM LPC Interface Controller (rev 03) 00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corp. 82801DBM Ultra ATA Storage Controller (rev 03) 00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corp. 82801DB/DBM SMBus Controller (rev 03) 00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corp. 82801DB AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 03) 00:1f.6 Modem: Intel Corp. 82801DB AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 03) 02:01.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10) 02:04.0 CardBus bridge: O2 Micro, Inc. OZ6933 Cardbus Controller (rev 01) 02:04.1 CardBus bridge: O2 Micro, Inc. OZ6933 Cardbus Controller (rev 01) [ 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: I have 5 issues... 1) When it came time to format partitions on the hard drive, there was a possibility for confusion of novice users. Before the first screen where formatting choices are offered (this screen gets looped back to), there should be an informational screen saying that it's time to do some formatting, and that one needs at least one partition, for the root filesystem (recommending type ext3 for beginners), and one swap partition (recommending it being about twice a large in size as the amount of RAM that is available, and show calculated ram size * 2). Then explain a loop will be entered for formatting as many partitions as needed, then choose exit to move onto the next step of installation. 2) When it was time to get the apt sources, the cyclical nature is confusing, it's not differentiated which repositories it's trying to go get, eg. non-US, main, contrib, etc. So one doesn't know if it's looping, getting the same info, or if one needs to keep trying so as to get more sources. 3) I'm also disappointed that the stock kernel did not have CD burner support. (ide-scsi emulation, etc) 4) A checklist-based list of installation activities should be presented right from the start so the user knows what's in store and is less confused. During the first few steps of the install, there is no choice in steps, like choosing a hostname, etc. This lack of choice continues up to the point where the base is to be installed. It's wierd to be dumped out into the middle of a menu of options after that. Perhaps the menu of options should be run through right from the start to stay consistent. A checkbox showing completion could be displayed for each step that's been completed, and/or bolding of text so users don't get intimidated by the choices, they could go doen the choices one by one. Also, before starting at the beginning of this menu, a screen explaining how the menu should be done from top to bottom, perhaps occasionally skipping items, should be presented to furtherly minimize confusion. 5) I went through the install once, then a bit later needed to re-LILO again, so I went through the install again from the beginning. I tried to get to that menu where the LILO-ing is a choice as soon as possible, but I had to go through steps I didn't want to visit, even though I chose non-action when I could (ie. choosing "Finished" for partitioning, etc). The steps of finding, retrieving and extracting packages occurred, even though I opted to leave alone my root partition (after mounting it). The install was not overwritten, however, thankfully, but there was definately unacceptable confusion none the less. Then I was finally presented with the menu of installation steps. When I tried to do only the step of re-LILO-ing, it again first went through finding, retrieving and extracting packages, even though a perfectly good install was already there from the time before!! The packes weren't actually installed, like before. It then reported: ! Install the base system Base system installation error ...and... ! Install the base system Failed to install the base system ...and didn't do the LILO-ing!! -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-boot-request@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmaster@lists.debian.org ----- End forwarded message ----- -- see shy jo
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