Scheduled Maintenance: We are aware of an issue with Google, AOL, and Yahoo services as email providers which are blocking new registrations. We are trying to fix the issue and we have several internal and external support tickets in process to resolve the issue. Please see: viewtopic.php?t=158230
Suggestion for better beginner
Suggestion for better beginner
Hello Debian community. Not sure if I am posting in the right subforum, but here goes.
I've recently decided to dual boot my system with Windows and Linux. A few years back, I experimented with Linux Mint, and really liked it, but encountered an unrelated problem on my pc, so had to remove it.
In the interim, I learned a few things about Ubuntu and it's derivatives that I am not crazy about, so opted to go with something else. I settled on Debian. I like it's philosophy and stability.
Got it installed with ease, but once I fired it up, I discovered it is beyond my skill level at this point, and I am going to have to go with something else at this time.
To summarize, I have not been able to get it to access my wifi. I can only connect to the internet wired. I have looked at and tried to follow a lot of the guides on the wiki here, and elsewhere on the internet, but have had no luck getting it to work. I find that the guides I have found seem to assume that a reader already has some basic Linux and terminal knowledge. Everything I have tried to do in the terminal it just says there is an error or some sort, or an unknown command.
At any rate, what I am looking for in this thread is some suggestions for a more user friendly beginner distro, that is not Ubuntu based. I'm considering Fedora or debians version on mint.
If it helps, what I liked about mint, was that it pretty much setup and installed all my hardware for me. I was able to go wireless right away with it. I liked the package manager, it was easy to navigate. Just about everything I did on the terminal was easy to understand and worked well.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
I've recently decided to dual boot my system with Windows and Linux. A few years back, I experimented with Linux Mint, and really liked it, but encountered an unrelated problem on my pc, so had to remove it.
In the interim, I learned a few things about Ubuntu and it's derivatives that I am not crazy about, so opted to go with something else. I settled on Debian. I like it's philosophy and stability.
Got it installed with ease, but once I fired it up, I discovered it is beyond my skill level at this point, and I am going to have to go with something else at this time.
To summarize, I have not been able to get it to access my wifi. I can only connect to the internet wired. I have looked at and tried to follow a lot of the guides on the wiki here, and elsewhere on the internet, but have had no luck getting it to work. I find that the guides I have found seem to assume that a reader already has some basic Linux and terminal knowledge. Everything I have tried to do in the terminal it just says there is an error or some sort, or an unknown command.
At any rate, what I am looking for in this thread is some suggestions for a more user friendly beginner distro, that is not Ubuntu based. I'm considering Fedora or debians version on mint.
If it helps, what I liked about mint, was that it pretty much setup and installed all my hardware for me. I was able to go wireless right away with it. I liked the package manager, it was easy to navigate. Just about everything I did on the terminal was easy to understand and worked well.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
- eor2004
- Posts: 251
- Joined: 2013-10-01 22:49
- Location: Puerto Rico
- Has thanked: 4 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Hi, I think you have to learn how to edit your "/ect/apt/sources.list", because you have to add the "contrib" and "non-free" repositories, so you are able to get the drivers you need for your Wi-Fi card, that's the first thing you should do, second thing you should do is learn how to get info on your hardware, like using a command in the terminal like "inxi -Fxxx" or using a program like "hard info", hope this helps you get on your way.
Debian 12 Gnome on a MSI H61M-P25 (B3) PC & on a Dell Latitude E6410 & HP EliteBook 8540p Laptops.
LMDE 6 on a Panasonic ToughBook CF-C1 Laptop.
Bodhi Linux 7 on a HP Compaq DC5750 Small Form Factor PC.
Windows 11 on a Intel DH55TC PC.
LMDE 6 on a Panasonic ToughBook CF-C1 Laptop.
Bodhi Linux 7 on a HP Compaq DC5750 Small Form Factor PC.
Windows 11 on a Intel DH55TC PC.
- GarryRicketson
- Posts: 5644
- Joined: 2015-01-20 22:16
- Location: Durango, Mexico
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
https://mxlinux.org/what I am looking for in this thread is some suggestions for a more user friendly beginner distro, that is not Ubuntu based.
Side note:
I would not recommend that to my worst enemy, but any way some search foo, will show some sites, like distro watch, where you can get info on all sorts of Linux distributions, however , probably better asking here.I experimented with Linux Mint,-----snip-----
"What we expect you have already Done"
==========
Old Website
======================
For the Birds
==================
What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
==========
Old Website
======================
For the Birds
==================
What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Yeah I tried editing that according to a guide, but again, i felt like it assumed I already had some basic knowledge that I don't have. I found this list, but when I clicked on it, it said I didn't have the software to edit it. Kind of like in windows when you try to open a file that it doesn't recognize, and it asks what program you would like to use to open it. When I clicked this file in Debian, it asked me that, but the list of available programs was empty. So yeah, even making this adjustment to /ect/apt/sources.list felt beyond my skill level. I would need a very very laymans baby step by baby step guide on this I assume.eor2004 wrote:Hi, I think you have to learn how to edit your "/ect/apt/sources.list", because you have to add the "contrib" and "non-free" repositories, so you are able to get the drivers you need for your Wi-Fi card, that's the first thing you should do, second thing you should do is learn how to get info on your hardware, like using a command in the terminal like "inxi -Fxxx" or using a program like "hard info", hope this helps you get on your way.
Would not wish what on your worst enemy? Linux mint?GarryRicketson wrote:https://mxlinux.org/what I am looking for in this thread is some suggestions for a more user friendly beginner distro, that is not Ubuntu based.
Side note:I would not recommend that to my worst enemy, but any way some search foo, will show some sites, like distro watch, where you can get info on all sorts of Linux distributions, however , probably better asking here.I experimented with Linux Mint,-----snip-----
Yeah I check out distro watch, but it's meh... I don't feel like it really gives me a good idea of what will work for me and my purposes.
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
I'd recommend you don't give up on Debian just yet..........You are so close, and as a fellow Newbie, Debian has been great for me!
A couple of options that has worked for me in getting the wireless to work right from installation:
Option 1 (a few more steps for the proprietary wireless driver which I used when I installed Stretch).
- Download a copy of the proprietary wireless driver that you have, hopefully one of those listed here: https://packages.debian.org/stretch/firmware-iwlwifiand store a download of the firmware-iwlwifi file on an SD card, and insert it into the SD slot of your computer.
- Reinstall your official debian iso. It should recognize and pull the firmware wireless driver it needs from the SD card during installation.
- Put the password for your network at the appropriate time, and you should be good to go.
Option 2 (easy - peasy, which I used when I installed Buster)
- Just download and install an unofficial non-free iso image from https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unof ... -firmware/.
Hope this helps
A couple of options that has worked for me in getting the wireless to work right from installation:
Option 1 (a few more steps for the proprietary wireless driver which I used when I installed Stretch).
- Download a copy of the proprietary wireless driver that you have, hopefully one of those listed here: https://packages.debian.org/stretch/firmware-iwlwifiand store a download of the firmware-iwlwifi file on an SD card, and insert it into the SD slot of your computer.
- Reinstall your official debian iso. It should recognize and pull the firmware wireless driver it needs from the SD card during installation.
- Put the password for your network at the appropriate time, and you should be good to go.
Option 2 (easy - peasy, which I used when I installed Buster)
- Just download and install an unofficial non-free iso image from https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unof ... -firmware/.
Hope this helps
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
I second MX Linux, unless you prefer a different DE than XFCE.GarryRicketson wrote:https://mxlinux.org/what I am looking for in this thread is some suggestions for a more user friendly beginner distro, that is not Ubuntu based.
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
I actually tried that, but it didn't recognize it. It kept getting stuck on the "detect network hardware" install page. It asked if I wanted to load it from removable media, to which i said yes, but then it just looped back to the same page.piperdan wrote:
Option 1 (a few more steps for the proprietary wireless driver which I used when I installed Stretch).
- Download a copy of the proprietary wireless driver that you have, hopefully one of those listed here: https://packages.debian.org/stretch/firmware-iwlwifiand store a download of the firmware-iwlwifi file on an SD card, and insert it into the SD slot of your computer.
- Reinstall your official debian iso. It should recognize and pull the firmware wireless driver it needs from the SD card during installation.
- Put the password for your network at the appropriate time, and you should be good to go.
Do I need to unzip/decompress it first?
Does it need to be on a separate USB from the boot USB?
So instead of option 1, I could JUST do this second one?piperdan wrote: Option 2 (easy - peasy, which I used when I installed Buster)
- Just download and install an unofficial non-free iso image from https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unof ... -firmware/.
Hope this helps
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Im checking it out, it does look kinda nice, not a huge fan of XFCE though...piperdan wrote:I second MX Linux, unless you prefer a different DE than XFCE.GarryRicketson wrote:https://mxlinux.org/what I am looking for in this thread is some suggestions for a more user friendly beginner distro, that is not Ubuntu based.
How customizable, or rather, how easy is it to customize it? I like a windows feel.
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Yes...Phiver wrote:I actually tried that, but it didn't recognize it. It kept getting stuck on the "detect network hardware" install page. It asked if I wanted to load it from removable media, to which i said yes, but then it just looped back to the same page.piperdan wrote:
Option 1 (a few more steps for the proprietary wireless driver which I used when I installed Stretch).
- Download a copy of the proprietary wireless driver that you have, hopefully one of those listed here: https://packages.debian.org/stretch/firmware-iwlwifiand store a download of the firmware-iwlwifi file on an SD card, and insert it into the SD slot of your computer.
- Reinstall your official debian iso. It should recognize and pull the firmware wireless driver it needs from the SD card during installation.
- Put the password for your network at the appropriate time, and you should be good to go.
Do I need to unzip/decompress it first?
Does it need to be on a separate USB from the boot USB?
So instead of option 1, I could JUST do this second one?piperdan wrote: Option 2 (easy - peasy, which I used when I installed Buster)
- Just download and install an unofficial non-free iso image from https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unof ... -firmware/.
Hope this helps
Yes...,
and Yup
- GarryRicketson
- Posts: 5644
- Joined: 2015-01-20 22:16
- Location: Durango, Mexico
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
You can install another DE or WM , if you want,...I second MX Linux, unless you prefer a different DE than XFCE.
I like a windows feel.
Then why are you using Linux ?
"What we expect you have already Done"
==========
Old Website
======================
For the Birds
==================
What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
==========
Old Website
======================
For the Birds
==================
What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Thanks for all the help so far. This has definitely been a friendlier and more helpful forum than others I have been to.
I think I will give it one more try when I get home tonight.
One more question though:
I watched 2 different guides on how to properly do the install. They were pretty much exactly the same with the exception that one of them suggested creating a root password, and one suggested not to. Neither of them really explained why they suggested it. What would you suggest? And why would or wouldn't you want to do this?
I think I will give it one more try when I get home tonight.
One more question though:
I watched 2 different guides on how to properly do the install. They were pretty much exactly the same with the exception that one of them suggested creating a root password, and one suggested not to. Neither of them really explained why they suggested it. What would you suggest? And why would or wouldn't you want to do this?
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Well I may have miss spoke... 'eh typed...GarryRicketson wrote:You can install another DE or WM , if you want,...I second MX Linux, unless you prefer a different DE than XFCE.
I like a windows feel.
Then why are you using Linux ?
Im familiar with windows, cause its what I've always used. I cant stand MacOS!!!
And a lot of the other environments are difficult for me to navigate, just because of familiarity or lack thereof. So I prefer an environment that is similar to windows.
I like Cinnamon, and KDE. And actually, I was confusing XFCE for GNOME for some reason. I do like XFCE. Cant stand GNOME.
- GarryRicketson
- Posts: 5644
- Joined: 2015-01-20 22:16
- Location: Durango, Mexico
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
===edited===
I will suggest 2 things here, instead of:
I all ways set a root password, that was/is standard, on Unix, and unix like systems, and then it goes back to "watching videos", before they had all that, we read the documentation, and manuals, the documentation does explain more , and in great detail.
If you read some documentation, it might help you decide , in a nut shell, if you do not set a root password, later if there is problems with the "sudo" option, you can use "su" to become root, and possibly fix the situation, if you don't set a root password, and later there is problems with "sudo", it is somewhat more complicated get root access, all though still possible. Me, I do not even install and use "sudo", others do. I don't really care what others do though, I do things the way I like to, based on my experience.
I only tried it once, way back in 1988 or so, it was lousy, and never tried it again. But any way, if you are interested in Linux or a Unix like system, then :Im familiar with windows, cause its what I've always used
I will suggest 2 things here, instead of:
Try reading the install documentation, for what ever distro you decide on. Watching some random video, is really not the best way to learn anything.I watched 2 different guides---
I all ways set a root password, that was/is standard, on Unix, and unix like systems, and then it goes back to "watching videos", before they had all that, we read the documentation, and manuals, the documentation does explain more , and in great detail.
If you read some documentation, it might help you decide , in a nut shell, if you do not set a root password, later if there is problems with the "sudo" option, you can use "su" to become root, and possibly fix the situation, if you don't set a root password, and later there is problems with "sudo", it is somewhat more complicated get root access, all though still possible. Me, I do not even install and use "sudo", others do. I don't really care what others do though, I do things the way I like to, based on my experience.
"What we expect you have already Done"
==========
Old Website
======================
For the Birds
==================
What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
==========
Old Website
======================
For the Birds
==================
What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
What I do......during installation I just leave the root password blank and continue to put in a password for the user (I'm the only one). That allows me to have superuser access whenever I want through sudo. This is similar to what I've experienced with Linux Mint or other *buntu's, ......or MX Linux.
Not saying its the best practice, but it works for me.
see: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/ ... user-setup
Not saying its the best practice, but it works for me.
see: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/ ... user-setup
- GarryRicketson
- Posts: 5644
- Joined: 2015-01-20 22:16
- Location: Durango, Mexico
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
That is really what it boils down to, it is what one prefers, there are no technical reasons one method is best or better. So that is probably why the videos don't try to clarify on that.
Most people will say it is best to use 'sudo', instead of 'su -', and there are ways to access the system as root, even when there is no password available. If one digs through the posts on this forum , (search foo), there are some threads on that, and a couple where they had problems with "sudo" , not working, like I said, it can be handy to be able to just use "su - ", if and when for some reason "sudo" does not work.
When I started using Unix, "sudo" did not exist, later they started using it on OpenBsd, but it was deprecated when, "doas" was developed, Linux still uses "sudo". All though it (sudo) is still available for OpenBsd as well, guess that is kind of a different topic, though:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudo
========================
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_(Unix)
===============
https://www.beyondtrust.com/blog/entry/ ... d-you-sudo
================
https://kb.iu.edu/d/amyi
============
Many do argue that it is best to use 'sudo', this applies especially to systems with multi-administrators, me, I am the only one using this PC, it all depends on what one prefers.
Most people will say it is best to use 'sudo', instead of 'su -', and there are ways to access the system as root, even when there is no password available. If one digs through the posts on this forum , (search foo), there are some threads on that, and a couple where they had problems with "sudo" , not working, like I said, it can be handy to be able to just use "su - ", if and when for some reason "sudo" does not work.
When I started using Unix, "sudo" did not exist, later they started using it on OpenBsd, but it was deprecated when, "doas" was developed, Linux still uses "sudo". All though it (sudo) is still available for OpenBsd as well, guess that is kind of a different topic, though:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudo
========================
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_(Unix)
===============
https://www.beyondtrust.com/blog/entry/ ... d-you-sudo
================
https://kb.iu.edu/d/amyi
============
Many do argue that it is best to use 'sudo', this applies especially to systems with multi-administrators, me, I am the only one using this PC, it all depends on what one prefers.
- stevepusser
- Posts: 12930
- Joined: 2009-10-06 05:53
- Has thanked: 41 times
- Been thanked: 71 times
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
You probably just need the firmware deb file, but which one depends on your hardware. Do you know what chip you have? If not, type "lspci" in the terminal, then copy and paste the output here, then highlight that and hit the "code" button.
Or if you have the MX Linux ISO, you can make a LiveUSB, and assuming it boots into a Live session, run "Quick System Info" from the menu and give us the output of that.
Or if you have the MX Linux ISO, you can make a LiveUSB, and assuming it boots into a Live session, run "Quick System Info" from the menu and give us the output of that.
MX Linux packager and developer
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
What we need is one of those machines from Matrix, where you can learn kung-fu in 20secs. OP would stick with Debian. Make a post asking for help resolving your wireless issues and if you don't like Gnome, obviously you can pick something else. No matter what you go with, it'll require effort and learning.
Most powerful FREE tech-support tool on the planet * HERE. *
-
- Posts: 154
- Joined: 2019-04-29 01:17
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Since no one said it I am going to.
Dual boot is famous for causing problems.
Maybe not today tomorrow or next week but in my experience eventually something will happen.
If you can at least have the 2 OS on seperate drives.
However whatever you decide I wish you luck,
Don't just give up on Linux when something becomes hard either you'll be happy you took the time to learn in the long run.
Dual boot is famous for causing problems.
Maybe not today tomorrow or next week but in my experience eventually something will happen.
If you can at least have the 2 OS on seperate drives.
However whatever you decide I wish you luck,
Don't just give up on Linux when something becomes hard either you'll be happy you took the time to learn in the long run.
- sunrat
- Administrator
- Posts: 6475
- Joined: 2006-08-29 09:12
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Has thanked: 118 times
- Been thanked: 474 times
Re: Suggestion for better beginner
Firmware is different from a driver. Drivers are kernel modules whereas firmware is tiny code which is loaded to the device at boot time.piperdan wrote:Option 1 (a few more steps for the proprietary wireless driver which I used when I installed Stretch).
- Download a copy of the proprietary wireless driver that you have, hopefully one of those listed here: https://packages.debian.org/stretch/firmware-iwlwifiand store a download of the firmware-iwlwifi file on an SD card, and insert it into the SD slot of your computer.
Best to identify your wireless device with lspci (or lsusb if it's a usb device) as mentioned by stevepusser, then post that info here so we can advise the correct firmware.
This is probably the easier option for a new user. Reinstall from the non-free iso will often have the firmware needed and it may work out of the box.Option 2 (easy - peasy, which I used when I installed Buster)
- Just download and install an unofficial non-free iso image from https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unof ... -firmware/.
“ computer users can be divided into 2 categories:
Those who have lost data
...and those who have not lost data YET ” Remember to BACKUP!
Those who have lost data
...and those who have not lost data YET ” Remember to BACKUP!