Howto: Install Ubuntu without a CD

[guyver]

I realized I needed to double check the path and this is what I needed to use for the server I chose: http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/poo...d/debootstrap/ However, I am currently stuck at where the instructions say to: "base-config new" I get a command not found error.


I am also still uncertain how I go about installing Xubuntu instead of Ubuntu with this approach. The tutorial seems a bit dated since it's referring to Hoary and also assumes the user only wishes to install Ubuntu.

[guyver]

You need to import Ubuntu's GPG key, more info at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SecureApt (the key you want is 40976EAF437D05B5)

However, I've just found this guide, it may actually work better than the approach I described: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...n/WithFloppies

Okay, I decided to ditch the other tutorial and retry your approach again and get a private requesting key.

I first create the sources.list file as per your instructions.

I then enter: "gpg --keyserver pgpkeys.mit.edu --recv-key 40976EAF437D05B5"

The only negative comment I see after executing this command was "gpg: can't open `/gnupg/options.skel` : No such file or directory"

I am then provided an 8-digit hex private requesting key.

I then type: "gpg --edit-key ftpmaster@ubuntu.com" and then type "fpr" at the shell prompt.

I assume fpr somehow validates my key. I then type "quit" to exit back to the main command prompt.

I then type: "gpg -a --export [8-digit requesting key] | apt-key add -" (had to remove sudo since I got a bash error saying command not found)

I then resumed your original walk through tutorial:

apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade

I then get an error: "Unable to fetch some archives, maybe run apt-get update or try with --fix-missing?"

I reran apt-get update and dist-upgrade and was taken to a menu where I selected my key map and something to do with cron (which I took the default value).

After a while, the result of running "apt-get dist-upgrade" produced the following error:

"Preconfiguring packages ...
perl: warning: Setting locale failed.
perl: warning: Please check that your locale settings:
LANGUAGE = (unset),
LC_ALL = (unset),
LANG = "en_US.UTF-8"
are supported and installed on your system.
perl: warning: Falling back to the standard locale ("C").
dpkg: regarding .../dpkg_1.14.5ubuntu16_i386.deb containing dpkg:
package uses Breaks; not supported in this dpkg
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/dpkg_1.14.5ubuntu16_i386.deb (--unpack):
unsupported depedency problem - not installing dpkg
Errors were encountered while processing:
/var/cache/apt/archives/dpkg_1.14.5ubuntu16_i386.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)"

Hoping that this is not a catastrophic error, I went on to type:

apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

This produced similar errors and does not actually install Xubuntu although it looks like it downloaded almost everything.

[tuxcantfly]

Okay, I decided to ditch the other tutorial and retry your approach again and get a private requesting key.

I first create the sources.list file as per your instructions.

I then enter: "gpg --keyserver pgpkeys.mit.edu --recv-key 40976EAF437D05B5"

The only negative comment I see after executing this command was "gpg: can't open `/gnupg/options.skel` : No such file or directory"

I am then provided an 8-digit hex private requesting key.

I then type: "gpg --edit-key ftpmaster@ubuntu.com" and then type "fpr" at the shell prompt.

I assume fpr somehow validates my key. I then type "quit" to exit back to the main command prompt.

I then type: "gpg -a --export [8-digit requesting key] | apt-key add -" (had to remove sudo since I got a bash error saying command not found)

I then resumed your original walk through tutorial:

apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade

I then get an error: "Unable to fetch some archives, maybe run apt-get update or try with --fix-missing?"

I reran apt-get update and dist-upgrade and was taken to a menu where I selected my key map and something to do with cron (which I took the default value).

After a while, the result of running "apt-get dist-upgrade" produced the following error:

"Preconfiguring packages ...
perl: warning: Setting locale failed.
perl: warning: Please check that your locale settings:
LANGUAGE = (unset),
LC_ALL = (unset),
LANG = "en_US.UTF-8"
are supported and installed on your system.
perl: warning: Falling back to the standard locale ("C").
dpkg: regarding .../dpkg_1.14.5ubuntu16_i386.deb containing dpkg:
package uses Breaks; not supported in this dpkg
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/dpkg_1.14.5ubuntu16_i386.deb (--unpack):
unsupported depedency problem - not installing dpkg
Errors were encountered while processing:
/var/cache/apt/archives/dpkg_1.14.5ubuntu16_i386.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)"

Hoping that this is not a catastrophic error, I went on to type:

apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

This produced similar errors and does not actually install Xubuntu although it looks like it downloaded almost everything.

For the dpkg installation error, perhaps you want to update your dpkg to a newer version from Debian http://packages.debian.org/dpkg and first install the "etch" version, then the "lenny" version, then that'll let you smoothly upgrade to Ubuntu's version afterwards.

As for the installation of xubuntu, use this command:

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

[guyver]

Sorry for the confusion.

I didn't know how to install Xubuntu for that other link you provided that covered a floppy install. That was what I didn't know how to do... unless you mean the same command works for either. In my previous post I said "apt-get install ubuntu-desktop", but I really meant "apt-get install xubuntu-desktop"... I did a copy paste and forgot to edit that part.

As for the dkpg installation, do I add both dkpg paths from the link you provided in the sources.list in order to install them?

Sorry, I'm a newb.

[guyver]

Well, I didn't get far... decided to start over again... this time doing the install via this walk through: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...n/WithFloppies

The part where I am stuck is when I type: "base-config new"

The system responds with "bash: base-config: command not found"

What do I have to do?

[tuxcantfly]

Sorry for the confusion.

I didn't know how to install Xubuntu for that other link you provided that covered a floppy install. That was what I didn't know how to do... unless you mean the same command works for either. In my previous post I said "apt-get install ubuntu-desktop", but I really meant "apt-get install xubuntu-desktop"... I did a copy paste and forgot to edit that part.

As for the dkpg installation, do I add both dkpg paths from the link you provided in the sources.list in order to install them?

Sorry, I'm a newb.

You separately download the dpkg .deb packages and install them with the command:

sudo dpkg -i ./dpkg-something.deb

Install the debian etch version first, once that's installed, upgrade to the lenny version, then after that, it should work when you attempt to upgrade to the ubuntu gutsy version of dpkg

I think you should follow my original instructions, that guide I linked to looks excessively complicated and I'm not sure whether it even works on newer versions.

[guyver]

You separately download the dpkg .deb packages and install them with the command:

sudo dpkg -i ./dpkg-something.deb

Install the debian etch version first, once that's installed, upgrade to the lenny version, then after that, it should work when you attempt to upgrade to the ubuntu gutsy version of dpkg

I think you should follow my original instructions, that guide I linked to looks excessively complicated and I'm not sure whether it even works on newer versions.

Sorry for this stupid question, but do I do this before or after I do the "apt-get update"?



I really appreciate your time and patience on this. This is what I think the whole procedure has evolved into (I'm not 100% certain on the dpkg lines)



Create sources.list file:

1.  su root
2.  echo \
3.  "
4.  deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy main restricted multiverse universe
5.  deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-security main restricted multiverse universe
6.  deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates main restricted multiverse universe
7.  deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-backports main restricted multiverse universe
8.  " > /etc/apt/sources.list

Import Ubuntu GPG key https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SecureApt

1.  gpg --keyserver pgpkeys.mit.edu --recv-key 40976EAF437D05B5
2.  gpg --edit-key ftpmaster@ubuntu.com
3.  fpr
4.  quit
5.  gpg -a --export [8-digit requesting key] | apt-key add -

Update dpkg ( I've had bad luck with sudo for the Floppy Install) http://packages.debian.org/dpkg

Install Debian Etch Version:
1.  wget http://http.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/d/dpkg/dpkg_1.13.25_i386.deb
2.  sudo dpkg -i ./dpkg_1.13.25_i386.deb

Upgrade to Debian Lenny Version:
3.  wget http://http.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/d/dpkg/dpkg_1.14.7_i386.deb
4.  sudo dpkg -i ./dpkg_1.14.7_i386.deb

Get Updates & Install

1.  apt-get update
2.  apt-get dist-upgrade
3.  apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

One thing I also forgot to ask is should I install GRUB when prompted near the end of my Debian Minimal Install? Also just for clarification, when asked to select the type of install (i.e. desktop, laptop, server, etc.), do I deselect everything and contintue in order to do the minimal installation you had intended?

[luluone]

Hello,

First, thank you for that forum.

I have a question
I install package UNetbootin-ubuntu710rev48 on Ubuntu Feisty but I have an error 17.
I try to defrag.

I think it come from menu.lst

There is my menu.lst

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-16-generic
root (hd2,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-16-generic root=UUID=66498ba1-cacf-4348-bb70-9282602684d8 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-16-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-16-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd2,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-16-generic root=UUID=66498ba1-cacf-4348-bb70-9282602684d8 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-16-generic

title Ubuntu, memtest86+
root (hd2,1)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/hda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Professionnel
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1


title UNetbootin-ubuntu710rev48
root (hd0,1)
configfile /boot/grub/menu-ubn.lst

In the unetbootin section what must be the root (hdx,x)?
(Grub is on the MBR of hd0,0).
Excuse me for my english
Thank you for your help

[asbjornu]

I ran the Ubuntu 7.10 Windows installer in Windows 98 and the Windows-part of the installation seemed to go fine, but then it asks me to boot and when I do, it's like nothing happened. Grub doesn't start, I just boot directly into Windows and then UNetboot is uninstalled. Doing it again yields the exact same result.

It seems as if UNetboot isn't able to write to the bootloader for some reason, even though I don't get any error messages. Can I debug this somehow (with a switch to unetbootin-ubuntu710rev48.exe or something)? Any help is highly appreciated!

Oh and I didn't think of it before, but I really want Xubuntu instead of Ubuntu, since I'm installing on a rather old laptop.

[tuxcantfly]

Sorry for this stupid question, but do I do this before or after I do the "apt-get update"?



I really appreciate your time and patience on this. This is what I think the whole procedure has evolved into (I'm not 100% certain on the dpkg lines)



Create sources.list file:

1.  su root
2.  echo \
3.  "
4.  deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy main restricted multiverse universe
5.  deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-security main restricted multiverse universe
6.  deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates main restricted multiverse universe
7.  deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-backports main restricted multiverse universe
8.  " > /etc/apt/sources.list

Import Ubuntu GPG key https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SecureApt

1.  gpg --keyserver pgpkeys.mit.edu --recv-key 40976EAF437D05B5
2.  gpg --edit-key ftpmaster@ubuntu.com
3.  fpr
4.  quit
5.  gpg -a --export [8-digit requesting key] | apt-key add -

Update dpkg ( I've had bad luck with sudo for the Floppy Install) http://packages.debian.org/dpkg

Install Debian Etch Version:
1.  wget http://http.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/d/dpkg/dpkg_1.13.25_i386.deb
2.  sudo dpkg -i ./dpkg_1.13.25_i386.deb

Upgrade to Debian Lenny Version:
3.  wget http://http.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/d/dpkg/dpkg_1.14.7_i386.deb
4.  sudo dpkg -i ./dpkg_1.14.7_i386.deb

Get Updates & Install

1.  apt-get update
2.  apt-get dist-upgrade
3.  apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

One thing I also forgot to ask is should I install GRUB when prompted near the end of my Debian Minimal Install? Also just for clarification, when asked to select the type of install (i.e. desktop, laptop, server, etc.), do I deselect everything and contintue in order to do the minimal installation you had intended?

Yes, install GRUB

Deselect everything, it'll all be installed with the xubuntu-desktop package

As for sudo not working, perhaps try using "su" instead