Arch Linux install saga - (Long)
From: Unkmar via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ This is a long post and I tried to keep it short. I have a couple of recent computer builds. LESSON: If you are going to install Arch, read and follow the Installation Guide at least the first time you install. Don't just copy and paste commands. Read and understand the How and Why even if you don't dive deep into either. It will make a huge difference in being able to deduce how, where, and why things went wrong, if they do. The archinstall script is pretty good, but things are very likely to go wrong. An understanding of the process can help you know if and how to use the archinstall script. WHY is switched to Arch: Debian does install and run just fine, but the GPU performance. Does NOT perform. I couldn't get proper GPU performance until I switched to unstable/Trixie. Trixie is NOT ready. Had to use Flatpak to install GIMP. Effectively, Debian failed me because the GPU hardware is too new. FIRSTS: Several firsts experience because of hardware and more. So I looked for an alternative and switched to Arch. That has been a painful learning experience. I like learning and I'm stubborn. This is several firsts for me. First time on Arch. (And pacman) First time using f2fs. First time using cfdisk and mkfs for partitioning and formatting. I've traditionally used gparted. First time using timeshift. (Another fail, Is only working from the GUI. Automation isn't working. and I already know how to use rsync. Really not seeing the point.) First time using LibreWolf browser. First time on LxQt. (I like LXDE) In the past I have tried KDE and have since avoided it. I'm cool with Cinnamon, and Mate. As far as Gnome, My PC is a desktop not a damn touch screen tablet. Rod kept harping for me to try a tiling Window managers. Brother Rod, I love you and miss you. But I just don't mesh with tiling Window Managers. Yet again I have tried to move from X11 to Wayland and failed. It just doesn't run. (Don't even try to help me with Wayland. Days have already been wasted.) EASY: Worked without issue So I installed Arch to my new Desktop (Justin). I didn't really know what I was doing so I just used the archinstall of the time and used its suggested settings. That has some weird outcomes. That is how I discovered the f2fs file system. Personally, I don't think the boot partition is large enough (1Gb). But I could be wrong. I picked grub, but I don't think that makes any real difference for me since I'm not dual booting. I went with both linux and linux-lts kernels. The newer linux kernel gives me some issues. I don't recall what, I need to make note of it because I keep forgetting. The linux-lts kernel works great. Coming from a Debian stable using apt to a Rolling release using pacman is something else. Honestly, I often used aptitude for a nice TUI experience of searching Debian packages. I'm not thrilled my setup. I am okay with it and I don't hate it. HARD: 3 Days I did over 20 installs of Arch to the second system (Skully). The 3rd one was successful, only because I used default settings like I had done with my Desktop. Eventually, I learned that it is best to not have a separate partition for /usr. A separate /usr requires extra hoops (initramfs - initial ram file system). Still, the install felt wonky and broken in someway. So, I did the pointless thing that someone suggested. Even though it can't possibly have any effect. Because, it is a win/win. If I was right, I win. It was pointless. But, I was wrong. The archinstall script had changed and I suspect somehow other supporting issues have also been resolved in the 1 month between downloads and install. Yes, I used archinstall several times and the current install on both systems used it. But!!! I had repeated and varying issues with the Skully. Some issues were: 1. Failed download during install 2. PGP signature problem 3. Failed boot (because of separate /usr) 4. A few others that I can't recall any details. Just a wall of red text! Because of theses issues, I tried several things. I watched most of one manual install video. I watched and rewatched another while taking my own careful decisive liberties. I did indeed RTFM - https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide I learned a little from each and a lot from both. I ended up handwriting a 2 page guide/script to the install process. I am not done with either system. But both systems are working and my saga continues. -- Lucius L. Hilley III - unkmar=============================================================== From: Michael Harrison via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ On Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 1:00=E2=80=AFAM Unkmar via chugalug wrote: Well written. Reminded me to stay in my simple little Debian w/Cinnamon world. I agree with you about Gnome and the "Not a tablet" user... I understand where they are going, and also "not me". Although 1 laptop has a touchscreen, it is only used when Nancy points at things on my screen. I learned a little from each and a lot from both. I ended up Got so many of them, I run a private DokuWiki. It's all that keeps me sane.
=============================================================== From: allan via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ I've run Sid exclusively for more than a dozen years, currently on three machines. Sorry that Debian didn't make you happy but that's kinda understandable because in Debian It's All About Stable and stuff gets temporarily removed from Testing from time to time if there's a conflict between Sid components and Testing components. Usually that stuff is resolved in a few days but gimp was removed from Testing for almost four months. gimp made it back into Testing on Jan 10 - https://tracker.debian.org/pkg/gimp I've complained for awhile about Debian releasing kernels into Testing and Backports without including current video drivers and non-free firmware that match the fresh kernel. Nothing at all wrong with Arch - and I've installed it myself a few times. If you decide to do Debian again Unstable might make you happier than Testing did but Sid will enthusiastically break your toys if you don't pay attention during upgrades - but the last time I broke Sid badly enough to justify a reinstall was in 2013 and that was 100% my fault for not paying attention during a big xorg migration. Anyway, have fun with Arch!
=============================================================== From: Wil Wade via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ If this has gotten you interested in Arch, but want an easier install path, I run https://manjaro.org which is an Arch distro that is easy to use. It's on both my laptop and the kids gaming computer. On Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 1:00=E2=80=AFAM Unkmar via chugalug wrote:
=============================================================== From: Stephen Kraus via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ I will continue to be a faithful member of any debian fork. On Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 6:35=E2=80=AFPM Wil Wade via chugalug wrote:
=============================================================== From: r d flowers via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ I bought a thumb drive with 8 diatro's on it. I ran Pop_os and now Manjaro live, and I like it! Might try an install of it. RD/Rick Flowers Likes FB, wikitree, mastodon, and tvrail.com Sent from Proton Mail Android -------- Original Message --------
=============================================================== From: Houston Bova via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------
=============================================================== From: "Jeffrey A. Wormsley via chugalug" ------------------------------------------------------ Reminds me of installing Gentoo on a Sun pizza box for fun (hint: it took _days_ to compile the GUI). Jeff On Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 1:00=E2=80=AFAM Unkmar via chugalug wrote: