Bug#504922: Lenny install on Dell Inspiron 7500
Package: installation-reports
Boot method: <netinst CD downloaded from net>
Image version: <http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
Debian-LennyBeta2-i386-netinst.iso>
Date: <started 03Nov08 evening, quit trying 07Nov08 morning>
Machine: <Dell Inspiron 7500 laptop>
Processor: <Intel P-III>
Memory: <192 MB>
Partitions: <guided partitioning of entire 12.1 GB disk IBM-DARA-212000
with separate /home>
#1 primary 3.4 GB B f ext3 /
#5 logical 435.9 MB f swap swap
#6 logical 8.3 GB f ext3 /home
Output of lspci -knn (or lspci -nn): <I don’t know what this is or how
or where to find it>
Base System Installation Checklist:
[O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [ ] = didn't try it
Initial boot: [O]
Detect network card: [O]
Configure network: [O]
Detect CD: [O]
Load installer modules: [O]
Detect hard drives: [O]
Partition hard drives: [O]
Install base system: [O]
Clock/timezone setup: [O]
User/password setup: [O]
Install tasks: [O]
Install boot loader: [E]
Overall install: [O]
Comments/Problems:
1. Initially, the network didn’t install because I didn’t connect it
until the HD was reformatted since the original MSWindows operating
system was so full of viruses that the computer could have compromised
our home network. Subsequently, I found that escape would bring up the
main install menu (is this an undocumented feature, or just something I
didn’t realize?) and I connected the network late in the install. GRUB
installed. The computer booted OK from the HD, but it could not find
Icedove on the CU-Denver mirror, probably because the late installation
of the network. I could use the command line to move around files and
vim to modify the sources list.
2. Tried a reinstall with Purdue mirror and standard system. This
install went OK through 177 downloaded files, but GRUB would not
install. Installed LILO and it seemed to work. I think it downloaded
Icedove with aptitude, but I couldn’t find the package or make anything
work except the command line.
3. Tried a reinstall with primary (Debian) mirror and one partition to
try to fix GRUB. Installed laptop plus standard, downloading 233 files.
GRUB still would not install. Used LILO. Still couldn’t find Icedove,
but command line worked.
4. Did a reinstall with primary mirror and separate /home partition
again. Downloaded 233 files. This time GRUB installed! However, the
reboot from the HD hung at “Saving VESA state…”.
5. Repeated the install as in 4 above. Same result, hung at same place
on reboot. At least I finally have a reproducible problem and consistent
results with GRUB. But I can’t even get to the command line now, whereas
I could before.
I’ve searched the web and Debian docs and can’t find a solution. My
intent is to download a new netinst CD and try again. If the hung reboot
persists, I’ll try Etch. Do you have any advice for me?
Ron Schwiesow
nanron62@msn.com
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