• Mageia 8 - Bad installer indications

    From Gilberto F da Silva@2:250/1 to All on Fri Jul 17 01:03:42 2020
    My last installations of Mageia were through the
    network. Even in the case of DVD installations made
    previously, the installer's instructions seem somewhat
    erratic. The timer with the forecast of the end of the
    installation takes time to appear. When it appears it is
    frozen for some time, then it shows a number very
    different from the initial one. Anyway, the installer
    doesn't feel like everything is going well.

    I never timed it but I always feel like installing Mageia
    takes longer compared to the other distributions I
    experienced.

    --

    Gilberto F da Silva

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.7.17 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Hejmo (2:250/1@fidonet)
  • From Bit Twister@2:250/1 to All on Fri Jul 17 02:00:46 2020
    On Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:03:42 +0000 (UTC), Gilberto F da Silva wrote:
    My last installations of Mageia were through the
    network. Even in the case of DVD installations made
    previously, the installer's instructions seem somewhat
    erratic.

    As usual, no real information provided for making any attempt at
    diagnosis a waste of time.

    The timer with the forecast of the end of the
    installation takes time to appear. When it appears it is
    frozen for some time, then it shows a number very
    different from the initial one.

    Very true. Estimate is a running average and guesstimate based on previous downloaded packages. Stalls/delay in next time estimate can be because
    of a large package is installing or consuming a bunch or resources.

    Anyway, the installer
    doesn't feel like everything is going well.

    Information content is null. If you have clicked details and see no
    errors, it is going well.

    I never timed it but I always feel like installing Mageia
    takes longer compared to the other distributions I
    experienced.

    I can say your feel is within reason. Not near as much is installed, and
    some do a very basic install, then call home to finish the install.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.7.17 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (2:250/1@fidonet)
  • From TJ@2:250/1 to All on Fri Jul 17 14:19:02 2020
    On 7/16/20 9:00 PM, Bit Twister wrote:
    On Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:03:42 +0000 (UTC), Gilberto F da Silva wrote:
    My last installations of Mageia were through the
    network. Even in the case of DVD installations made
    previously, the installer's instructions seem somewhat
    erratic.

    As usual, no real information provided for making any attempt at
    diagnosis a waste of time.

    Perhaps the OP should read the appropriate manual at https://www.mageia.org/en/doc/
    He should note that there are separate manuals for Network, Live, and
    Classic media installs. While much of the installer code is the same
    across each type of medium, each has some significant differences.

    The timer with the forecast of the end of the
    installation takes time to appear. When it appears it is
    frozen for some time, then it shows a number very
    different from the initial one.

    Very true. Estimate is a running average and guesstimate based on previous downloaded packages. Stalls/delay in next time estimate can be because
    of a large package is installing or consuming a bunch or resources.

    And in the case of a network install, varying Internet speeds can be a
    factor.

    I asked about the inaccuracy of the estimate some years ago, when all my processors were single-core, and my network connection MUCH slower than
    it is now. I was told that it isn't meant to be precisely accurate, that
    it's just supposed to indicate reasonably steady progress. I suppose it
    could be made more accurate, but that would mean stealing machine cycles
    to take samples and recalculate more often. That would have the effect
    of prolonging the whole process, especially on older, slower hardware.
    It probably would also mean the installer would get bigger, and because
    of size restraints some other packages would have to be dropped from the install media.

    Anyway, the installer
    doesn't feel like everything is going well.

    Information content is null. If you have clicked details and see no
    errors, it is going well.

    Agreed. If errors occur, you will be informed. I've had that happen
    several times with optical media because of a scratch or a fingerprint,
    which is why I always use a usb stick these days, except for testing
    purposes.

    By the way, if the OP has a functioning Mageia 7 or 8 system, the next
    time he wants to try putting an iso to a usb stick, I suggest he try our Isodumper. It doesn't just dump the iso - it verifies that it was
    successful afterward. And it couldn't be much easier to use.

    I never timed it but I always feel like installing Mageia
    takes longer compared to the other distributions I
    experienced.

    I can say your feel is within reason. Not near as much is installed, and
    some do a very basic install, then call home to finish the install.

    I wouldn't know. I'm exclusively a Mageia user. It "just works" for me.
    No need to look elsewhere.

    TJ

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.7.17 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (2:250/1@fidonet)