installing from CD onto existing DE

All questions and problems regarding the installation and upgrades of LXDE from USB Stick, Live CD or Web.
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tunnel
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Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 4:42 am

installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by tunnel »

I have a machine with a slow internet connection currently configured to run KDE, and I would like to install LXDE onto it. I would like to install from CD or DVD, if possible. I understand that I could install on internet using a command like this:

sudo aptitude install lxde

However, it is not clear to me how I can do so without using the internet. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks.
seppalta
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Re: installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by seppalta »

To install just LXDE without an internet connection would require finding a disc or flash drive copy. I have only seen one commercial one advertised - never tried it: http://on-disk.com/product_info.php/man ... ts_id/1323. It is for 32-bit Debian-based systems. Are you sure that you do not want to start with a fresh operating system that has the lxde-desktop? Commercial disks for all operating systems are available from many sources at very low cost.

Even with a slow internet (phone connection, for example), you should be able to install an lxde-desktop. To devise a timewise optimal install we would need more information, namely:
What is your operating system?
Which, if any, of the following do you already have installed: pcmanfm, openbox, xscreensaver, lxpanel, lxsession?

With a Debian system, you can find out if xyz is installed by putting the following into the terminal:

Code: Select all

dpkg -s xyz
.
You can also bring up xyz in Synaptic, provided it is installed, to see if xyz is installed.
tunnel
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 4:42 am

Re: installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by tunnel »

Hi, seppalta.

I would indeed prefer to have a separate installation of LXDE, but this is not an option for me on this machine. It is my understanding that I can install both without interference of one on the other, such that I would then select one or the other during the logon. Is that not so? You asked:

> What is your operating system?
> Which, if any, of the following do you already have installed: pcmanfm, openbox, xscreensaver, lxpanel, lxsession?

The system is Debian 7.0. None of those programs is currently installed.

You mentioned getting a retail version of LXDE on CD. Why can I not download it by using another machine and use that CD for installation on this one? Thanks.
Rex Bouwense
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Re: installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by Rex Bouwense »

Look here:
http://lxde.org/download
This will work providing you do have an Internet connection for the other computer. Burn the image to a CD/DVD or flash drive.
Rex
seppalta
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Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:09 am
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Re: installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by seppalta »

I would then select one or the other during the logon. Is that not so?
Yes, that should be the case.

LXDE is very light. Even with a very slow connection you should be able to get it installed:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install lxde-core
.

Lxde-core is all that you need - the rest of the complete lxde package are applications like lxterminal, leafpad, lxtask, etc - stuff you can add as needed. Since you say you have the means to download, but not to the desired computer (??), and you are using debian 7.0, then just download the lxde-core debian package ( http://packages.debian.org/wheezy/lxde-core for wheezy), use a thumb drive, or whatever, to move it to the desired computer and install it using gdebi (right click the package and choose install using gdebi) or dpkg (see http://lxlinux.com/#20). You can download and install all the subsidiary lxde applications (lxterminal, etc) this way. Of course, you probably won't need them because the corresponding KDE applications can be used in their place.

You may also like to look at http://lxlinux.com/debianlxde.html. Debian 7 lxde is the fastest lxde that I have ever used.
tunnel
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 4:42 am

Re: installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by tunnel »

I do very much appreciate all your help with this. This information saved me a lot of time. The gdebi program appears to be pretty much exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to use. I am curious, though, how does it handle the need for dependencies if the deb package has any that are not on your system already?

the link (http://lxlinux.com/debianlxde.html) for Debian LXDE was too cool. I sure like the way that OpenBox Menu appears on the desktop in the picture, and the program icons that appear to float separately at the bottom of the desktop are just too slick! Now THAT is the kind of candy I can live with instead of the bloated window baggage carried around with KDE. Take care, and thanks again, seppalta.

:geek:
seppalta
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Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:09 am
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Re: installing from CD onto existing DE

Post by seppalta »

how does it handle the need for dependencies if the deb package has any that are not on your system already?
Gdebi works exactly as us naive users would want when there is a missing dependencies. It does not install the package and it tells us exactly what dependency stopped the install. The installer can then go back, find the missing package in the Debian package system, download and install it, then try the original package again. If you have an infinite amount of time, you can eventually get anything installed. Actually it isn't that bad (time consuming). The Debian link from which the original package came should list the main dependencies, each of which is linked to its download page. Just keep that link page open in case you have to go back to get a dependency. The difficulty occurs when you get an instance where you have a missing dependency of a missing dependency of a .... ad infintum. You get the idea.

Thanks for the "thanks". Don't get many compliments :D . Oh, by the way, here is a link to a Debian search page: http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages#view.
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