klukac
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Ubuntu (Debian) server missing X files
I installed ubuntu on a new drive when my old one started to fail, following the same instructions that had worked before, with the same 5.10 Install CD, working with http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_ubuntu_5.10_p2 (using the server install option as opposed to ubuntu's default client option).
After two attempts, I can confirm that this installation does not include the xserver, since no X11 directory appears in /etc, although I don't recall any problems like this on my earlier install.
So I started installing these packages:
xorg-common
xfonts-base, xfonts-100dpi, xfonts-scalable packages
xserver-common
gdm
gnome
The install order is probably wrong, since I installed them as I discovered they were missing/needed. On restart, the Xserver error is 'cannot stat /etc/X11/X - no such file.' Also, there's no xorg.conf file in /etc/X11.
I have a nVidia GEForce2 MX 32MB card and probably need to get/install an nVidia package for it, but I need to work out the X windows install procedures first...let me know what packages to install, in what order. I don't know if a third fdisk will jeopardize the stability of my new hard drive, but it may be quicker that uninstalling and reinstalling packages with all the dependencies involved.
After two attempts, I can confirm that this installation does not include the xserver, since no X11 directory appears in /etc, although I don't recall any problems like this on my earlier install.
So I started installing these packages:
xorg-common
xfonts-base, xfonts-100dpi, xfonts-scalable packages
xserver-common
gdm
gnome
The install order is probably wrong, since I installed them as I discovered they were missing/needed. On restart, the Xserver error is 'cannot stat /etc/X11/X - no such file.' Also, there's no xorg.conf file in /etc/X11.
I have a nVidia GEForce2 MX 32MB card and probably need to get/install an nVidia package for it, but I need to work out the X windows install procedures first...let me know what packages to install, in what order. I don't know if a third fdisk will jeopardize the stability of my new hard drive, but it may be quicker that uninstalling and reinstalling packages with all the dependencies involved.
ASKER
I wanted a server with a GUI front-end...found out via ubuntu forums that I also needed the ubuntu desktop package, but they agreed with you that I could just do a normal install...more on that point in a minute. I also installed an nvidia driver package, ran dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg and disabled frame buffering in response to my Xorg error log, setting the monitor to 1280x1024.
Regarding the default (client) installation, I had tried installing bind9 on a laptop with ubuntu's default installation and it failed...I could not determine a reason and ran out of time, so it seemed easier to work the problem from another angle. What's the disadvantage of having this type of partitioning system if you want to run a server app such as asterisk?
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System //this is my client set-up
/dev/hda1 * 1 4676 37559938+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda2 4677 4864 1510110 5 Extended
/dev/hda5 4677 4864 1510078+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
Using the howtoforge instructions, I have 4 partitions on my ubuntu server - boot, root, swap and var. Didn't think that partitioning had any impact on what apps you can run, only perhaps how efficiently they run. Anyway let me know your thoughts on this - I don't mind building up a server capability by installing more packages - it's when they fail that I have a problem, and I never found out why I couldn't install bind on an existing client machine (in that case, to make it a cups print server, although I probably didn't need bind except maybe to detect host names on the network).
Regarding the default (client) installation, I had tried installing bind9 on a laptop with ubuntu's default installation and it failed...I could not determine a reason and ran out of time, so it seemed easier to work the problem from another angle. What's the disadvantage of having this type of partitioning system if you want to run a server app such as asterisk?
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System //this is my client set-up
/dev/hda1 * 1 4676 37559938+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda2 4677 4864 1510110 5 Extended
/dev/hda5 4677 4864 1510078+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
Using the howtoforge instructions, I have 4 partitions on my ubuntu server - boot, root, swap and var. Didn't think that partitioning had any impact on what apps you can run, only perhaps how efficiently they run. Anyway let me know your thoughts on this - I don't mind building up a server capability by installing more packages - it's when they fail that I have a problem, and I never found out why I couldn't install bind on an existing client machine (in that case, to make it a cups print server, although I probably didn't need bind except maybe to detect host names on the network).
I don't know about the installation failure either, but I do agree with you on your partitioning scheme. It should work fine. Besides, with the newer kernels, the partitioning scheme has become less relevant (for example, even a swap file can now be as fast as a swap partition).
If you want a graphical setup, yes, just add any additional packages you need. That's what I usually do if I want a multi-purpose system.
If you want a graphical setup, yes, just add any additional packages you need. That's what I usually do if I want a multi-purpose system.
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Thanks very much!
I don't remember whether the ubuntu default install gave me the option of partitioning my disk, so it will be interesting to see how Xbuntu handles it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the difference between a client and a server setup should just be a) partitions and b) apps (with libraries). Not sure what the relative benefit of 4 versus 3 partitions is...all I know is that servers use 4 and clients use 3, generally - if you know more let me know. The reason that I chose a server install was that I knew I would have the recommended partition setup - I could add whatever apps I needed later.
Changing the partition setup of an installed Linux OS is beyond what I can do (I've only used fdisk, which deletes everything). In Windows there are programs like Partition Magic I think which can resize partitions without erasing your filesystem, assuming the resizing is occuring in empty sectors (and presumably you've backed up your files). Not sure about what Linux has.
I don't remember whether the ubuntu default install gave me the option of partitioning my disk, so it will be interesting to see how Xbuntu handles it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the difference between a client and a server setup should just be a) partitions and b) apps (with libraries). Not sure what the relative benefit of 4 versus 3 partitions is...all I know is that servers use 4 and clients use 3, generally - if you know more let me know. The reason that I chose a server install was that I knew I would have the recommended partition setup - I could add whatever apps I needed later.
Changing the partition setup of an installed Linux OS is beyond what I can do (I've only used fdisk, which deletes everything). In Windows there are programs like Partition Magic I think which can resize partitions without erasing your filesystem, assuming the resizing is occuring in empty sectors (and presumably you've backed up your files). Not sure about what Linux has.
I really wouldn't worry too much about the partition setup. I don't know what you will be using the server for, but unless it's going to be used heavily without much monitoring, it doesn't matter. If you had multiple servers, then using 4 partitions could be helpful for config purposes.
There are some apps for Linux that can do interesting work with partitions, but I really have never found them to be worthwhile learning for what I do. You can change the locations of certain mount points, move swap files/partitions, etc., especially if you have free space on the system, without even shutting your system down (unlike Windows), just using some creativity with standard Linux apps on nearly all distros. Unless you are using LVM (which can resize active partitions on a running system!), however, resizing partitions is trickier.
There are some apps for Linux that can do interesting work with partitions, but I really have never found them to be worthwhile learning for what I do. You can change the locations of certain mount points, move swap files/partitions, etc., especially if you have free space on the system, without even shutting your system down (unlike Windows), just using some creativity with standard Linux apps on nearly all distros. Unless you are using LVM (which can resize active partitions on a running system!), however, resizing partitions is trickier.
ASKER
Was looking for more information about the importance of partitions and found this:
http://www.hccfl.edu/pollock/AUnix1/Partitioning.htm
Anyway, it's time to close this out.
http://www.hccfl.edu/pollock/AUnix1/Partitioning.htm
Anyway, it's time to close this out.
You don't want to follow these instructions if you need X. These instructions are designed for a hardcore server, for which one would not want X.
Rather than typing in "server" at the very beginning, you probably want to do a normal install by just hitting enter. You should then add any server-type programs you need for your situation.