When i comment out the apt-setup lines with respect to the local repository and the debian multimedia repository I get the same result: it stops at "Configure the package manager" with the same error in console 4 (using 'install' as option). The fact that a preseed.cfg is loaded is apparently enough for this error to occur...doh. debian-multimedia. Ahem. What about *not* having these lines? Does D-I end properly? What does happen if, instead of adding these repos through preseeding, you add them manually by using D-I in expert mode?
I must also note that I still have these lines in the preseed.cfg file: d-i apt-setup/non-free boolean true d-i apt-setup/contrib boolean true d-i apt-setup/services-select multiselect security, volatile d-i apt-setup/security_host string security.debian.org d-i apt-setup/volatile_host string volatile.debian.org Do you want me to try the -x debug in 50mirror ?