using apt-get to install partimage: fails?

Forum: Apt-get
Topic: using apt-get to install partimage: fails?
started by: gjhicks

Posted by gjhicks on Nov. 26 2005,08:13

Hi,

Am not sure if this is the right place to ask these questions, apologies if I have chosen the wrong place.

Have a HD install of dsl 2.0, with apt/dpkg and gnu utils installed via mydsl.

Everything works fine.

Would like to install two further utilities:

partimage:
Available in other distros (kanotix, feather) and a great way to save an image of a working dsl HD install before further tinkering!

wmium:
A dockapp that will monitor my adsl usage, written for my provider.

So. tried installing partimage, the result is below:

After checking for any rubbish with 'apt-get -f install', I tried installing the 'deb' file for the dock app. The result is below:

So, I thought I would try changing the /etc/apt/sources.list to use the 'testing' packages. After editing the file, ran 'apt-get update'.

Once again tried the 'apt-get install partimage'. Still didn't work but different error:

Decided that the "This is often bad" comment in the message should not be ignored.

Also tried again to install the wmium dockapp but got the same result as with the oldstable package set.

Would greatly appreciate any help, suggestions, explanations (gentle!).

Regards,

Geoff.

Posted by Onyarian on Nov. 28 2005,08:30

Hi,

Partimage is a binary file and don't need libs, they are on it, you only have to download the binary version of < http://www.partimage.org/download.en.html, > decompressed and execute as root.

good luck,

Onyarian

Posted by gjhicks on Nov. 30 2005,04:29

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. In fact, I had a shot at what you suggested and it (ie: partimage) works fine.

However, my overall question remains. To install other (perhaps esoteric) packages like the adsl usage dockapp, packages outside the 'oldstable' set are required.

How can I get solve this problem.

By the way, the 'synaptic' in 'oldstable' is a very poor relation of the 'synaptic' available in the 'testing' package set.

Thanks again for your help.

Geoff.

Posted by cbagger01 on Nov. 30 2005,04:45

Yes,

but the 'synaptic' in 'oldstable' is small and requires less dependencies, which makes it ideal for DSL and dialup users.

Posted by gjhicks on Nov. 30 2005,05:39

Again, thanks for the reply.

Still have the question about the different 'package' sets

Can 'oldstable' and 'testing' be used at the same time?

Will I 'break' DSL by using just the 'testing' set?

Thanks,

Geoff.

Posted by cbagger01 on Nov. 30 2005,18:01

The definitive answer is:

It depends.:D

It is possible to "break" DSL by using 'testing' and upgrading or installing certain packages. Of course it is still possible to do this even with 'oldstable' because DSL uses a non-Debian X Windows server instead of XFree86.

It is possible to install some applications from 'testing' without any trouble. My advice is to look at the packages selected for install (including the dependencies) before "PROCEED"ing and cancel out if you don't like what you see.

For example, if you see XFree86 packages or libc packages on the list, you might want to think twice before pushing the button.

Posted by gjhicks on Nov. 30 2005,22:56

OK, thanks for the information. Will avoid any "X" alterations or stuff that mentions "libc" packages.

However, before receiving your advice, I had a look yesterday at just "upgrading" the synaptic package (from the 'oldstable' to the 'testing' version), what a business! Dear old apt-get informed me that a couple of zillion mbs (joking, but it was a lot) and a dozens (OK, but it was more than 10) of packages would be either installed or upgraded. In addition, it advised that certain "essential" packages would be "switched off" during the process.

So, stopped. Booted another linux distro. Used partimage to backup the working DSL HD install, onto another partition.

Re-started the synaptic upgrade. Apt-get fairly zoomed along, installing this, upgrading that, configuring something else. The apt-get session seemed to conclude without error.

Re-booted DSL. No "X". Got "X" working but all the windows were without frames and scroll bars. In addition, "right-clicking" the desktop did not work.

Re-booted other distro and used partimage to restore DSL.

Resolved to be happy with what has been provided!

Well, at least for a few days!

Regards,

Geoff.