Upgrading frin Debian Etch to Debian Lenny

Open up your terminal and add the following lines to your /etc/apt/sources.list file as root.

deb http://http.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny main contrib non-free
deb-src http://http.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny main contrib non-free

I also recommend removing (or commenting out) any cd repositories listed in the sources.list file as after a basic install you usually don't need the cd anymore. If you installed using the first Debian install CD the line to remove will look like follows:

deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 r2 _Etch_ - Official i386 CD Binary-1 20080102-13:35]/ etch contrib main

Save the file and then update the package manager:

# apt-get update

The final step is actually upgrading your computer to Debian Lenny. To do this we need to do a distribution upgrade. To do this type the following line in your terminal:

# apt-get dist-upgrade

NOTE: This process could take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on how many programs are installed on your computer, how fast your internet is and the specifications of your computer. I do not recommend doing this if you have a dial-up connection, instead get a hold of the latest weekly built Lenny install CD (cd 1 only).

ASUS F3JP: Debian GNU/Linux Lenny Build

This page contains links and instructions to set up a Debian GNU/Linux Lenny install on an ASUS F3JP Laptop. This page will be continually updated until the manual is complete.

From Etch to Lenny:

If you haven't already done so, upgrade to Lenny. Lenny is the missing link between Debian Etch (Stable but dated) and Debian Sid (Latest but not necessarily greatest yet). Link.

Optional: Sudo:

While this won't necessarily be the preferred method of having administration rights by everyone, some people like it. To give yourself sudo rights open the file /etc/sudoers in root. Add the following line:

<username> ALL=(ALL) ALL

NOTE: <username> will instead be your username, for example: chadders.

Wireless Drivers:

The first thing I would install after upgrading to Lenny is the wireless drivers. Link.

Touchpad:

I can't quite put my finger on why this works, but it does and does well. I usually combine this step with the next seem as it involves reconfiguring xserver-xorg. Either way that's all you have to do to get the mouse pad working properly. Make sure you select a 3 button mouse in this process.

# dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Graphics Drivers:

Probably not the most important thing in the world, but it makes life much more pleasant when you have a nice resolution. Compiz Fusion is optional. Link.

Optional: Debian Lenny (Default) with Sid Repository:

Sometimes packages from the Sid repository come in useful. This will give you access to the Sid repository without installing all of it's software. This tutorial will also increase the limit of the number of packages allowed by APT. Link.

NTFS Drivers:

In a world full of Windows, sometimes a little compatibility comes in useful. Link.

Webcam:

Yes, we have gotten this working :D. Link to be provided.

Debian: Lenny Default with Sid Repository

First add the sid repository to your '/etc/apt/sources.list'. See Below

# sid
deb http://http.us.debian.org/debian/ sid main contrib non-free
deb-src http://http.us.debian.org/debian/ sid main contrib non-free

Now create a new file called 'apt.conf' in '/etc/apt/'. Add the following to it's contents

APT::Default-Release "testing";

Now update your repository. If by any chance it appears that the cache limit of apt is not enough simply add the following line to the 'apt.conf' file you just created and update your repository.

APT::Cache-Limit "20000000";

To update your apt repository simply type the following command into a terminal:

# apt-get update