fun suggestions for linux newb?

[birthdaymonkey]

Well balls... seems my driver fears were well founded. I installed Debian, but I seem to have a video driver problem... "out of range" error displayed on my monitor after it starts the GUI, so it's trying to output a signal my monitor's incapable of handling.

 

[Nothinman]

If you're just going to upgrade to testing or sid you should probably just start with testing: http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

 

[velvetpants]

Well balls... seems my driver fears were well founded. I installed Debian, but I seem to have a video driver problem... "out of range" error displayed on my monitor after it starts the GUI, so it's trying to output a signal my monitor's incapable of handling.

you'll probably have edit the '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' file.

check the "Monitor" section
there should be a line looking something like this

Option "PreferredMode" "1920x1200"

if there isn't, add it and put whatever your screens native resolution is instead of 1920x1200

 

[weovpac]

If you're just going to upgrade to testing or sid you should probably just start with testing: http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

As a general rule, it is bad advice for a new linux/debian user to use testing or unstable. Also the testing install ISO's can be buggy and usually are. Best to start with stable and learn debian/linux, then once you are comfortable try testing or unstable.

If stable kernel does not work well for you, you can always use a backported kernel.
http://backports.debian.org/

Or even use a kmuto ISO with a newer kernel when installing stable. IF the stable installer from debian fails to work for you.
http://kmuto.jp/debian/d-i/

Good luck and have fun with debian.

 

[Nothinman]

As a general rule, it is bad advice for a new linux/debian user to use testing or unstable. Also the testing install ISO's can be buggy and usually are. Best to start with stable and learn debian/linux, then once you are comfortable try testing or unstable.

If stable kernel does not work well for you, you can always use a backported kernel.
http://backports.debian.org/

Or even use a kmuto ISO with a newer kernel when installing stable. IF the stable installer from debian fails to work for you.
http://kmuto.jp/debian/d-i/

Good luck and have fun with debian.

I don't think I've ever had any issues with the testing ISOs. And more than likely his issue is with Xorg, not the kernel so using the old distro won't help.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will tried editing the xorg.conf file, and if that doesn't work I'll try reinstalling with a different .iso... if I ever get to go home from work, that is.

 

[weovpac]

I don't think I've ever had any issues with the testing ISOs. And more than likely his issue is with Xorg, not the kernel so using the old distro won't help.

I was only talking about the install. I have read/helped some on #debian having issues with testing's installer and where fixed by installing stable then upgrading to testing. Still not recommended for a new Debian/Linux user IMHO.

 

[Nothinman]

I was only talking about the install. I have read/helped some on #debian having issues with testing's installer and where fixed by installing stable then upgrading to testing. Still not recommended for a new Debian/Linux user IMHO.

I'm sure some people have issues, someone will have an issue with any piece of software, but I just did another testing install over the weekend and has no problems at all.

 

[VinDSL]

Thoughts odd...

I just had a Warner Bros movie pop-up, when reading this thread.

Tsk. Tsk. Time to turn the ad filter back on.

I've been running naked for a year or more...

 

[zokudu]

Also that testing installer should be going stable very very soon. I have used it many times and my current laptop install is from it. Its fine to use.