castaway
11-01-2006, 03:04 AM
Installing a Compact Version of Debian 3.1 Sid-amd64
-- A Beginner's Guide to the "Cutting Edge" --
A compact yet "pure" distribution of Debian 3.1 sid does not exist: no iso images of sid are available from the Debian organization. If you want to use sid, you are forced to install a bloated distribution containing sudo and numerous useless (to you) programs. And should you desire an amd64 version of sid, the choices are fewer but the results the same!
To obtain a compact version you can perform a bootstrap installation of sid-amd64, but you must use a live debian amd64 distribution to install it: a non-amd64 live distribution will not work. However, performing a bootstrap installation requires many steps as well as flawless typing. See:
http://www.linuxagora.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=435
There is an easier alternative. You can install a "bare-essentials" version of Debian etch-amd64. Then do a distribution-upgrade to sid.
***Installing ETCH***
# Download a net-installer iso image of etch-amd64 and burn it to a cdrom.
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
http://ftp.acc.umu.se/cdimage/daily-builds/daily/arch-latest/
# Boot the cdrom and choose to install etch as an "expert". I prefer the non-GUI method -- I find it easier than the new GUI interface.
# Partition the hard disk. Write down the location of the root partition (e.g., /dev/sda8). You will need this information to install grub.
# Turn on "shadow passwords".
# Confirm that root is allowed to login.
# Install the "base system". Select the newest kernel-image for installation.
# Configure "package manager" and select a mirror site.
# SKIP the section "select & install software".
# Choose NOT to install grub to the master boot record; install grub instead on the root partition (/dev/sda8).
# After etch has been installed and successfully rebooted, login as root.
***Upgrading to SID***
# Modify /etc/apt/sources.list to use "sid" instead of "etch". Use "nano" (installed) or "mc" (must be downloaded) as your editor.
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
# Find the amd64 linux-images available for installation.
apt-get update
apt-cache search amd64 | more
# Optional step: If you want to conserve space, remove the "old" kernel and its ancillary files before installing a newer image. Find the name of the linux-image you installed in Etch by locating it in the /boot directory. Then remove it.
ls -l /boot
aptitude purge linux-image-2.6.Complete-Name
# Install the kernel image you have chosen.
aptitude install linux-image-2.6.18-1-amd64
# Reboot to complete the installation of the kernel modules. This will occur during the boot process. The grub boot menu should display the newly installed kernel as the default entry. Login as root.
# Upgrade etch to sid.
aptitude dist-upgrade
# Compact your installation by removing the deb packages used for installation.
apt-get clean
# Run deborphan to identify any orphaned deb packages. Then remove them.
apt-get install deborphan
deborphan
dpkg --purge package-name-1 package-name-2
***Adding Additional Programs***
Install the following packages in the order listed. If you don't require a "lean and mean" installation and want a full-featured desktop instead, do not install icewm, icemc, xdm and xscreensaver--install Gnome, which contains gdm and xscreensaver.
<DESCRIPTION> <PROGRAM NAME> <CONFIGURATION COMMAND>
X-window system xorg dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
(install with "aptitude install xorg")
Windows manager icewm, icemc icemc
Screen saver xscreensaver xscreensaver
Graphic sign on xdm see Note #1
Gnome gnome-desktop-environment (already configured)
File manager xfe see Note #2
CUPS printing system browser URL 127.0.0.1:631
cupsys, cupsys-bsd, foomatic-filters-ppds
Print TXT files as PS a2ps -
***Notes***
1. If you are using xdm (not gdm) and want to permit root to access GUI programs in an open terminal after "su"ing to root (if you started xdm as User), you must modify root's xdm permissions as follows:
xauth -f /home/User-Name/.Xauthority nextract - $DISPLAY | xauth nmerge -
2. You must correct an xfe bug which prevents resizing xfe: right click on the xfe tray label; select "move"; then move the mouse pointer across the desktop.
-- A Beginner's Guide to the "Cutting Edge" --
A compact yet "pure" distribution of Debian 3.1 sid does not exist: no iso images of sid are available from the Debian organization. If you want to use sid, you are forced to install a bloated distribution containing sudo and numerous useless (to you) programs. And should you desire an amd64 version of sid, the choices are fewer but the results the same!
To obtain a compact version you can perform a bootstrap installation of sid-amd64, but you must use a live debian amd64 distribution to install it: a non-amd64 live distribution will not work. However, performing a bootstrap installation requires many steps as well as flawless typing. See:
http://www.linuxagora.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=435
There is an easier alternative. You can install a "bare-essentials" version of Debian etch-amd64. Then do a distribution-upgrade to sid.
***Installing ETCH***
# Download a net-installer iso image of etch-amd64 and burn it to a cdrom.
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
http://ftp.acc.umu.se/cdimage/daily-builds/daily/arch-latest/
# Boot the cdrom and choose to install etch as an "expert". I prefer the non-GUI method -- I find it easier than the new GUI interface.
# Partition the hard disk. Write down the location of the root partition (e.g., /dev/sda8). You will need this information to install grub.
# Turn on "shadow passwords".
# Confirm that root is allowed to login.
# Install the "base system". Select the newest kernel-image for installation.
# Configure "package manager" and select a mirror site.
# SKIP the section "select & install software".
# Choose NOT to install grub to the master boot record; install grub instead on the root partition (/dev/sda8).
# After etch has been installed and successfully rebooted, login as root.
***Upgrading to SID***
# Modify /etc/apt/sources.list to use "sid" instead of "etch". Use "nano" (installed) or "mc" (must be downloaded) as your editor.
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
# Find the amd64 linux-images available for installation.
apt-get update
apt-cache search amd64 | more
# Optional step: If you want to conserve space, remove the "old" kernel and its ancillary files before installing a newer image. Find the name of the linux-image you installed in Etch by locating it in the /boot directory. Then remove it.
ls -l /boot
aptitude purge linux-image-2.6.Complete-Name
# Install the kernel image you have chosen.
aptitude install linux-image-2.6.18-1-amd64
# Reboot to complete the installation of the kernel modules. This will occur during the boot process. The grub boot menu should display the newly installed kernel as the default entry. Login as root.
# Upgrade etch to sid.
aptitude dist-upgrade
# Compact your installation by removing the deb packages used for installation.
apt-get clean
# Run deborphan to identify any orphaned deb packages. Then remove them.
apt-get install deborphan
deborphan
dpkg --purge package-name-1 package-name-2
***Adding Additional Programs***
Install the following packages in the order listed. If you don't require a "lean and mean" installation and want a full-featured desktop instead, do not install icewm, icemc, xdm and xscreensaver--install Gnome, which contains gdm and xscreensaver.
<DESCRIPTION> <PROGRAM NAME> <CONFIGURATION COMMAND>
X-window system xorg dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
(install with "aptitude install xorg")
Windows manager icewm, icemc icemc
Screen saver xscreensaver xscreensaver
Graphic sign on xdm see Note #1
Gnome gnome-desktop-environment (already configured)
File manager xfe see Note #2
CUPS printing system browser URL 127.0.0.1:631
cupsys, cupsys-bsd, foomatic-filters-ppds
Print TXT files as PS a2ps -
***Notes***
1. If you are using xdm (not gdm) and want to permit root to access GUI programs in an open terminal after "su"ing to root (if you started xdm as User), you must modify root's xdm permissions as follows:
xauth -f /home/User-Name/.Xauthority nextract - $DISPLAY | xauth nmerge -
2. You must correct an xfe bug which prevents resizing xfe: right click on the xfe tray label; select "move"; then move the mouse pointer across the desktop.