Quote Originally Posted by ramaswamyps
the apt-get update dosnt work any more says it cant lock #

so is the dselect gives the same message#

kpackage cant install any more giving the same message#

also i am not permitted to read from the var/cache/apt/arcjives***
Are you root? You must be root to apt-get. But I can read var/cache/apt/archives/ as user.
Perhaps apt has crossed itself up somewhere. What results do you get from 'sudo apt-get check'?

so my saving the files to cd did not work

how to remount hda2 as original installation read only**

can this unmasking be done for once only temporarily like chmod a+x for that session only
yes. but if you are mounting for one session only it is easier just to mount manually from console: 'sudo mount -rw /dev/hda2'
What is on hda2? Is this where linux is mounted? or is it a data partiton. If it is where linux is installed, then you do not have to mount it, it is already mounted as /. If you are having problems writing to folders other then /home/user, it is because these folder are only writeable by root. You should have no limits writing to any folder if you are root.

,will my knoppix work after establishing read only mode***
I don't understand exactly what you are asking here? "establishing read-only mode" where? with what?

do i have to reinstall all over?
I don't think so, we haven't broken anythink yet.

i have 9 cds of debian 3.6 r4 latest release i cant seem to update from the cds
it asks for directory and all sorts of deep tech questions
i was never able to install debian
the kernel doesnt link
then xsever does not start
cannot open display message comes
i have tried abt 20 times install and reinstall with no success
thats why i installed knoppix 3.7 and updated to debian full updates.
for read/write permission on hda2 i tried the unmasking
now how can i put back the installation working for apt update
i could not get any reply from debian site mail news for help in installation
today i got a new 80 gb hard disk
i hope i can install the debian system working in my machine
ramaswamy
I also found debian was difficult to install so I used Knoppix but now use Kanotix (very similar but less bugs in it). With either Knoppix or Kanotix you can make a very good Debian system.
Try sudo apt-get check then post back to try to fix apt.