CrunchBang Linux

R0b0ty

New Member

Registered: 2012-12-07

Posts: 9

Which Version To Install?

Hi, everyone.  After trying CrunchBang for a bit (in a Virtual Box), I've
decided to replace my existing OS on my 2-year old, underpowered, toy EeePC
netbook.  I'm hoping that you can help me decide which version...  32-Bit
Stable, 32-Bit Stable + Backports, 32-Bit Testing (Modern vs. non-PAE).

I think I've ruled out the default "Stable" version...  I'll sacrifice
stability for a newer kernel.  But how do I decide between the Stable BPO
and Testing versions?  Furthermore, if I choose Testing, I'm not sure
whether my little netbook is PAE or non-PAE.

Other questions:

1) Is either or both Stable BPO and Testing based on Debian Wheezy?
2) Once you've chosen a version, would it take a complete re-install if I
change my mind and go for a different one?

I'd love your input!  Thanks in advance.

busprof

#! Member

Registered: 2011-03-13

Posts: 69

Re: Which Version To Install?

Hi, R0b0ty

To determine whether your cpu is PAE capable or not, run the following command in a terminal:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep pae

If you have PAE capability, you'll see that in the "flags" list, as shown below-

flags		: fpu vme de pse tsc msr [u]pae[/u] mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe syscall nx lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts rep_good nopl aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm ida dts tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority

Note - pae will not be underlined.  I just did that to highlight the entry.

On your other issue - since testing is soon to become stable, I would opt for the testing version at this point.  Debian has frozen the testing repos already in preparation for the move to stable.

snowpine

#!-a-roo

Registered: 2008-11-24

Posts: 2,950

Re: Which Version To Install?

Welcome to the forums!

It is impossible to answer your question since you haven't told us which model of EEE you have. If you search the forums for your specific model, you may come across some testimonials that will influence your decision.

Statler = Squeeze
Waldorf = Wheezy

Last edited by snowpine (2012-12-19 02:38:12)

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/hugged

R0b0ty

New Member

Registered: 2012-12-07

Posts: 9

Re: Which Version To Install?

Thanks, guys...  and sorry for the lack of info.

I have an ASUS Eee PC 1005HAB.  Following busprof's instructions, "pae" is in the flags list.  So if I were to choose the Testing version, I understand that I'd choose the "Modern" variant, is that correct?

Also, if I choose Testing, and after Waldorf (aka Wheezy) transitions to Stable, the repositories I'd be using would still be from Testing, right?  In other words, change back to Stable, I imagine.

Thanks again, guys!

busprof

#! Member

Registered: 2011-03-13

Posts: 69

Re: Which Version To Install?

Also, if I choose Testing, and after Waldorf (aka Wheezy) transitions to Stable, the repositories I'd be using would still be from Testing, right?  In other words, change back to Stable, I imagine.

The software repositories are listed in your /etc/apt/sources.list file.  I'm not running #! right now (a lot of forum members don't - we're here for the community as much as anything) but most of the time Debian distros use the release name (Wheezy, for example) and not the designation (testing or stable, for example).

Here's part of my sources.list:

deb http://ftp.uwsg.indiana.edu/linux/debian/ wheezy main
deb-src http://ftp.uwsg.indiana.edu/linux/debian/ wheezy main

deb http://security.debian.org/ wheezy/updates main
deb-src http://security.debian.org/ wheezy/updates main
# Please replace mirror with one in your geographical neighborhood.
# All valid mirrors are listed at http://www.debian.org/mirror/list
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ wheezy main contrib non-free

If I'm right in assuming that corenominal uses Wheezy and not "testing" in the Waldorf sources.list, then once Wheezy goes stable you'll be using the stable repo - not the testing repo.  There are a number of threads on the forum that provide instructions on moving from stable to testing, so you'll have no problem moving if you want once Wheezy goes stable.

My advice - install Waldorf 32-bit PAE - wait a couple of months until Debian announces that Wheezy is now Debian 7 - then wait another month or so and "upgrade" to the new "testing repo.  Opinions on this vary - so that's just my two-cents-worth, but it's worked out well for me on a (more or less) straight Debian Wheezy install for the past year.

snowpine

#!-a-roo

Registered: 2008-11-24

Posts: 2,950

Re: Which Version To Install?

Thanks, guys...  and sorry for the lack of info.

I have an ASUS Eee PC 1005HAB.  Following busprof's instructions, "pae" is in the flags list.  So if I were to choose the Testing version, I understand that I'd choose the "Modern" variant, is that correct?

Also, if I choose Testing, and after Waldorf (aka Wheezy) transitions to Stable, the repositories I'd be using would still be from Testing, right?  In other words, change back to Stable, I imagine.

Thanks again, guys!

A quick google search for "crunchbang 1005HAB" showed some encouraging results. (Make sure you ignore older threads about the obsolete Ubuntu-based releases.)

Waldorf is based on Wheezy so you don't have to worry about accidentally switching to Testing.

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/hugged

R0b0ty

New Member

Registered: 2012-12-07

Posts: 9

Re: Which Version To Install?

Both of you have been very helpful...  I have my go-forward plan now.  Thanks a lot!  Can't wait to start fresh with #!.  I'm sure that I'll be back for more knowledge in the near future (i.e., not looking forward to battling with installing my printer, etc., etc.).