What happens if I try and reinstall over what's there now? Would this mess anything up? I'm thinking that during installation I didn't install any drivers or something. So I'm planning to reinstall over existing linux. any feedback?

instalkling over shouldn't screw anything up, however upgraded stuff will need to be re-upgraded, specially before running anything dependant ont he upgrade. but with linux this isn't usually the problem.

Well, I haven't upgraded anything but I gotta try something, and I can't keep bugging you guys for help. So, would u say reinstalling would be a waste of time or to give it a try? Or is there a better way?

u can try, won't be a waste, but might not help

I can't thank you enough. I'll let you know if I ever get it to work. If you come up with anything feel free to let me know. Laters

I finally installed again and got an IP address and all. Now when i boot up it says xserver was not properly configured and takes me to a windows type screen with a diagram of a computer hooking up to a bunch of peripherals, Like a network diagram and I don't know what to do.


this installation was alot more intense. I must've skipped alot originally. And advice here?

Before it shows me the error my screen flashes a couple of times

That screen is your fabulous X configuration screen. Try to set your screen resolution et al to some other values and then try to restart x by typing "startx". I had this very same problem when I was installing FreeBSd, and I got past it, so you should be able to get things going as well.



However... on your internet issue: are you sure you can now connect to internet? Can you for instance do "ping -c 5 www.linuxquestions.org" from console? I.e. does it give you 5 pinging results?

-zsejk

Ok, i'm trying to configure everything using my damn number pad in that screen with the diagram. I just try every combo or what? So far it goes back and starts flashing and the same cycle starts again

I've tried configuring the monitor, graphics card, and mouse (which does not work in this GUI or Xserver or whatever you call it) Everytime it tries to load the Xserver again the screen flashes.....holds still....flashes....holds still....and the cycle starts again. I am also not on the internet because I tried that ping command and opened mozilla. Neither one provided any access to the urls I typed. It said " unable to resolve host" in mozilla. Any more advice? Anything will be appreciated.

How did you open Mozilla if you don't have X up yet?



But yeah, you don't have internet. Could you perhaps post what "ifconfig eth0" gives you? And since I'm more used to Slackware this might not be available in Debian, but how about you go have a look at your /etc/X11 directory, and see if it has a XF86Config file. If so, good news. You can then go into that and change things about your hardware (most notably your monitor) so that X will work properly.

-zsejk

Ok here's what happens....Linux boots into the command prompt...and the screen flashes twice there....then it says "I can't start Xserver, perhaps it wasn't configured correctly"...then it asks if i would like to configure it...then a windows type gui pops up...one window opens with the aforementioned diagram in it...in the corner of this window it says xf86config....It gives me a way of configuring my monitor, video card, mouse, and keyboard(each has a picture). i've tried configuring this way...I hit quit...and it asks me if i want to write to xf86config and I say yes and it says "i will attempt to start xserver now" and the cycle starts again. I move the cursor with my number pad (my mouse doesn't work) press INS on the number pad and then a menu shows up as if i right clicked in XP. I choose debian from this...then i choose apps....then mozilla. That's how i do that.

I'll try the ifconfig eth0 and tell you what it says

I looked, and i do have the xf86config but here's the path /usr/x11r6/lib/etc/xf86config or something similar. But I know where to find this file. However, i don't know how to edit it and if i did I wouldn't know what text to type.

Thanks for your help, man.

well, why don't you list your hardware, and we maybe we can tell you exactly how to edit your XF86config file. let us know what kind of mouse you're using, video card, ethernet card etc.

editing the file by hand might seem more difficult at first, but at least you'll know what's happening, rather than relying on a gui that you don't understand. ::shrug::

to edit the file, use these commands:

bash$ emacs
Ctrl-x
Ctrl-f
(edit the path at the bottom of the screen to point to XF86Config)



this will open the emacs text editor, then tell it to open a file, which you'll specify to be /etc/X11/XF86Config or whatever it is on your system. however, if you post your hardware first, we can help you with the editing.

hope this gives you some direction,

Yup, some hardware info would definitely help.



Type the following: "whereis XF86Config"

In Slackware that file is located in the /etc/X11 directory. In Debian it might be something else though, so do that "whereis" bit first. Then use whatever path that returns (/etc/X11 or whatever) and open that using:

"emacs /path/XF86Config"

You should now see a file with all kinds of text; this you can then modify according to your hardware. BUT! To make sure you don't accidentally screw up, post some information on your monitor first.

And remember, just boot up in the console mode. There's no point in getting stuck in that configuration GUI for all eternity, now is there?



-zsejk

Right on fellas.....Heres the hardware:

Mouse: Basic Logitech mouse with scrolling mechanism
Network card: Intel Pro 1000 CT Network Connection
896 DDR 400 RAM
Seagate SATA 120GB HDD
2 CDRW Drives
Floppy drive
Dell E550 that does 1024 x 768 @60Hz
All the controllers are native to the ABIT IC7-G ( Gigabit LAN ) motherboard

I won't mess with those commands you listed just yet...

My concern is just having a stable enough system to start exploring Linux and learning for myself.

THANK ALL OF YOU