Suggestions for Installer improvements?

apeiro · 2003-04-04 18:03:17

Hello Archers,

We've tricked someone into volunteering to revamp the installer script, and we'd like some input from you as to what you'd like to see in a new installer.

Please keep in mind that we're not aiming to build a RedHat/Mandrake/Windows two-clicks-and-you're-done installer here, but something robust enough to please the newer users and the experts in a true Arch fashion. Functionality and simplicity.

I'd personally like to see these two features in the next version:

kickstart-style support
Very helpful for adminstrators who build large numbers of boxes. This will allow the admin to create/generate a config file that can automate the entire install process from partition creation to bootloader configuration, without the need for ghost images

support for multiple CDs
Factoring in the unofficial repository, Arch Linux now has enough packages for 2 CDs and it's growing all the time. It would be nice to be able to install packages from multiple CDs through the installer. Currently, users would have to install from the main CD, then boot into the system and mount a second CD and pacman -A from there.
What else would everyone like to see?

netkrash · 2003-04-04 18:42:50

shorter selection of packages...

yeah i know i'm lazy but it would be nice to have 2 choices of install..

1) select one by one

2) or select group of packages (similar to slackware)

i mean base, gnome, kde, network, office, multimedia and so on..

all with asociated packages already selected.

this way you can cover the 2 kind of users..

1) the i-want-to-know-everything-about-every-single-package user
2) and the i-don't-give-a-damn-i-just-wan't-to-try-out-this-distro :twisted: user

i think arch linux install really need this.

netkrash · 2003-04-04 19:16:09

good point..

after i posted the message i started to think about the same thing.. it would be nicer to deselect some packages inside a group..

oh my, this is gonna be great

xirus · 2003-04-05 07:25:57

The possibility to choose the keyboard... (eg be-latin1,...)
The qwerty now is very annoying for azerty users

netkrash · 2003-04-06 13:17:13

hey you can do that in the instalation..

in the latest part when you edit your config files in the rc.conf file..

KEYMAP=en | es | fr | etc..

hey.. another good thing should be to choose the bootloader LILO or GRUB.

xirus · 2003-04-06 13:35:12

netkrash: I know...
But you have to type a lot during the installation... the installation itself should be done in whatever keymap you choose

I also agree that grub should be supported by default

xirus · 2003-04-06 18:38:57

metal_dragen: I happen to have installed mandrake (9.1) just yesterday, and it gives you the option (not as default though) to use grub now

(and to the arch developers: don't worry, arch is MUCH better )

sarah31: I don't understand what you are complaining about? I'm using the grub from the unofficial tree (which seems to be a very recent grub release) and it's working like a charm... I'm also using it to test multiple kernels and it doesn't have any problems with that??

there are so many people that don't like lilo and that are using grub without any problems, so why would it be a problem to let us pick that during the installation (even if it wouldn't be the default)?

Sp00n · 2003-04-16 04:21:05

i think support for software raid would be very very very nice.

supa · 2003-06-03 21:12:08

The current installer asks if it should format partitions. There's no option for "don't format this partition".

The formatting option should be moved IMHO, to where it asks what filesystem the partition uses.

I.E. Pick ext3. Then gives format yes/no option.

With arch 0.4 I had to pick format, then manually mount the other partitions so the installer didn't format them.

Also, If I picked format=no, and formated the partition via alt+f5... I still couldn't get the install to complete.

Xentac · 2003-06-03 22:54:37

It'd also be kinda nice to be able to type in a device to put a partition on. That way when user mode linux uses /dev/ubd/0 no one (like me!) will cry...

jlvsimoes · 2003-06-04 00:00:20

do you think that the possibility off building a default kernel pkg during the instalation process is usefull "for me it is" and if yes do you think that it can be done on the furure

Xentac · 2003-07-17 14:47:00

That was with 0.4, right?

Xentac · 2003-07-17 16:40:47

I don't think there is. I know there's an 0.5beta, I thought maybe you'd used that. The 0.4 installer had the problems you listed, but I thought they'd been fixed in 0.5, that was my reason for asking.

apeiro · 2003-07-17 16:44:00

The images in ftp://ftp.archlinux.org/images are current as of 0.5, and the updated installer asks permission to erase parititions individually, so you can skip the ones that should remain intact.

phunni · 2003-08-13 22:08:47

Currently I can't use my usb keyboard once the CD kernel has booted - support for that would be good...

dp · 2003-08-24 01:06:48

NTFS 5.1 : it would be nice to have some tools on the installer-linux, to be able to resize the existing NTFS5.1(winXP) partition, so there is enough place to make new ones

linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net for the tools

(maybe also usefull to have in archlinux)

unfortunately they need a patched kernel (the NTFS-support in the 2.4.21-R is too old)

-> for future: what about including this tools (on CD) with the 2.6.0 kernel? --- then there is no patch needed ... i will for sure make a package then, for using in archlinux --- but the most usefull timepoint for such things is while installing arch on a new machine (unfortunately quite all are, at least here in switzerland, with win XP preinstalled ... 1 partition, the whole disk, strange format (NTFS5.1) --- very unlogical, stupid, and not userfriendly)

i know that there is a nice option to format the whole drive --- but sometimes, a small partition with winXP can be usefull if you need it for compatibility (i'm saying that??? i cant still believe it, to have written something like this!)

dp · 2003-08-30 23:22:24

i dont need a gui, i dont need nice pictures while installing an OS (also no eye-candies ... sober like sarah31 )

[X]but what is needed, is a clear and easy part where you can specify what you want to format (this is not really done in 0.5 but works if you plan your installation and know exactly what you must have prepared for installation --- let the installer format things like it will ... you can after copy your data back if you like ... format=no works not yet in 0.5)

-> the ISO of arch0.5 has a small bug in the format-tool :
it says:
/dev/discs/disc0/disc1 to /dev/discs/disc0/disc11
instead of:
/dev/discs/disc0/part1 to /dev/discs/disc0/part11

[X]what is needed also, is a clear screen where you can specify what partition you want to mount where ... if you are used to the dialog in the 0.5-installer, this works, but it has some disadvantages:

- it asks you the first partition you choose to mount as / (you can change it!)
- then the second
-...
-> there is not a clear table where you can see what is to be mounted where ... where you can realize: ups i forgot to specify, that i want /boot in a special partition or similar things

clear would be:

/dev/discs/disc0/part1     ->    /boot
/dev/discs/disc0/part2        ->    /
...                    ->
...                    ->

[Apply] [clear and specify again]

this will give a nice overview, where you can check what you are doing and compare with the thinking you had at the begining :-)

this are only some

nifan · 2003-10-01 10:54:41

it would be nice to have some kind of description of the packages, at the packages select. we dont know all the packages and its usefull to some newbies get used to the programs names and what they are used for .

Guest · 2003-11-08 17:20:54

i've mentioned this before, but since this is a specific thread for suggestions (announcements???), i'll include a link to where i originally made my suggestion.

"problem with installing a /tmp partition" - see here

jf/ · 2003-11-08 17:22:23

Anonymous wrote:

i've mentioned this before, but since this is a specific thread for suggestions (announcements???), i'll include a link to where i originally made my suggestion.
"problem with installing a /tmp partition" - see here

ok sorry there - forgot to login.

kakabaratruskia · 2003-11-10 22:04:57

Support for serial ATA. I've seen Dell PCs that come with this HDs.

Nickm · 2003-11-11 14:44:51

I don;t know if it's still the same as in 0.4, but once you exit the installer you need to select all packages again, this really bothered me once.
I also edited my /etc/devfsd.conf for access right on several devices for normal users and:

REGISTER ^usb/lp0 CFUNCTION GLOBAL mksymlink $devname usblp0
UNREGISTER ^usb/lp0 CFUNCTION GLOBAL unlink usblp0

to make cups understand my usb printer

That's all just wanted to thank al arch developers for the greatest distro ever

PS
Count me in for grub as well, don't like lilo, remember having a discussion about it before. just please include the old version that does compile

Guest · 2003-12-07 11:47:38

A short description of packages
would be nice. A line would be
enough. Sometimes I read a package
name and I feel like "mmm I heard
this one somewere. What the hell's
for? Do I need it?" or "I wish to
install an mpeg player, which
package do I need?" Of course one
can install only base system and
then check the site, but to know
what one's doing at install time
would be handy.
EmaRsk

raztos · 2005-08-25 19:11:20

Hi there Archers.

It's a little OT (Off Topic) but I feel that I must to say that:)
Don't destroy Archlinux with "double-clicker" installer and also enviroment.
It's a cool distro, after time I have found that. Good Luck to future.

jerem · 2005-08-25 19:28:43

The most important features I expect from the new installer are :

- more modules built into the livecd kernel (ipw2100,2200, and a few other common wireless and network devices, which are VERY important to perform a ftp install.)

- automatic keymap handling on the isolinux CLI.

Arch Linux

#1 2003-04-04 18:03:17

Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#2 2003-04-04 18:42:50

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#3 2003-04-04 19:16:09

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#4 2003-04-05 07:25:57

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#5 2003-04-06 13:17:13

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#6 2003-04-06 13:35:12

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#7 2003-04-06 18:38:57

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#8 2003-04-16 04:21:05

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#9 2003-06-03 21:12:08

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#10 2003-06-03 22:54:37

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#11 2003-06-04 00:00:20

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#12 2003-07-17 14:47:00

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#13 2003-07-17 16:40:47

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#14 2003-07-17 16:44:00

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#15 2003-08-13 22:08:47

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#16 2003-08-24 01:06:48

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#17 2003-08-30 23:22:24

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#18 2003-10-01 10:54:41

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#19 2003-11-08 17:20:54

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#20 2003-11-08 17:22:23

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#21 2003-11-10 22:04:57

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#22 2003-11-11 14:44:51

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#23 2003-12-07 11:47:38

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#24 2005-08-25 19:11:20

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

#25 2005-08-25 19:28:43

Re: Suggestions for Installer improvements?

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