So I'm a newbie on this forum and a novice with computers in general and I had stumbled on FreeBSD as a desktop OS when watching Linux content on you tube and I have been interested in trying it out but I'm not sure where to begin. I'm a novice with computers and I understand BSD's are DIY kinda of OS and now known to be user friendly, that being said I'm willing to put in the effort to learn how to setup and use it. I'm not sure were to really begin and I'm not asking anyone to hold my hand, I'm looking for anyone who is willing to give advice and point me to the right path and any replies will be greatly appreciated.

@"Computernoob9000"#p14860 I've never used FreeBSD but, [this](https://acadix.biz/desktop-installer.php) might help.

@"Computernoob9000"#p14860 [RoboNuggie](https://www.youtube.com/@RoboNuggie) covers FreeBSD basics (and more!). If you have questions, ask either here, or on the FreeBSD [forum](https://forums.freebsd.org/).

I advise you to try NetBSD, it's more suitable for users new to BSD, and it's easier to use, and also very stable.

@"unicorn"#p14867 Now, that's the first time I hear that. Usually people would recommend OpenBSD as the easiest to set-up or, FreeBSD for the most available software. NetBSD isn't mentioned that often when the question is raised. I'm not disagreeing with you, just found it funny. And, I wouldn't know how to answer the question either, I've never used OpenBSD or, FreeBSD.

@"unicorn"#p14870 Fair enough. So you're sticking with us for a while 😀

Any Advice On How To Get Started ?

unicorn

pin
I tried all three BSDs, OpenBSD is the most difficult for me, and their ibus don't have Chinese language support, so I can't use it as my main os. As for FreeBSD, you have to install i915kms to make x window work, it took me a few days before I can use the system. But with NetBSD, you needn't install anything, just log in to your system, and surf!

unicorn Fair enough. So you're sticking with us for a while 😀

rvp

unicorn As for FreeBSD, you have to install i915kms to make x window work

Not really. The dumb framebuffer driver scfb works very well (it's faster than NetBSD's wsfb, frankly). You just need to setup the resolution in the bootloader:

$ fgrep resolution /boot/loader.conf
efi_max_resolution=1366x768
$

then create a minimal Xorg config file:

$ cat /usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/scfb.conf
Section "Device"
    Identifier "Card0"
    Driver "scfb"
#    Option "ShadowFB" "off"
EndSection
$

MG_

FreeBSD is probably the easiest. Get online, pkg install xorg, find out your GPU and install driver. Still, lots of unpredictable problems can happen.

On what kind of machine is it going to run? If it boots from USB, I can recommend a small nvme drive. Already on old USB 2.0 this is like a harddrive. Very suitable for testing OS installs without touching anything on the system's drives.

nortonham

Computernoob9000

The FreeBSD official handbook is a great place to start. Also check out robonuggie on youtube.

It's a little different to what you're probably used to, but you'll get used to it.

TheDantee

unicorn No way, I've tried NetBSD on some old Powermacs the documentation is lacking outside of manpages, not noob friendly. OpenBSD is easiest to install but the issue is you load into either a terminal or FVWM if you enabled xenodm (assuming the noob knows what that is). OpenBSD has other issues for noobs as well like browsers needing unveil to be edited to upload files among other things. FreeBSD installer is at least not a terminal (CLI) but still requires you to install some form of a GUI yourself the FreeBSD Handbook is an amazing resource explains every little detail I would probably recommend that, but even FreeBSD configuring things like Wi-Fi isn't super straight forward (for all BSDs really).

I would recommend going with FreeBSD and recommend reading the Handbook. As others have mentioned the FreeBSD forums are helpful and there are Youtubers who cover the OS often. But it lacks in hardware support compared to say OpenBSD be prepared for that.

unicorn

I got a kernel panic with FreeBSD installed on an HDD, I had asked for help on the FreeBSD forum but no one could help me, they suspected my HDD was broken. I replace FreeBSD with Haiku, and it runs well.
All my data was lost. I want to keep my personal data safe. I had many pics, videos, files, etc I want to store on my computer. I had never gotten a kernel panic with NetBSD, so my files are safe.

kc9udx

I had something similar happen; don't recall anymore exactly what it was. When I first investigated BSDs (coming from Amiga and Solaris mostly), I could not get FreeBSD working using the documentation.

Next, I tried NetBSD, and was ecstatic; everything just made so much sense. The only real trouble I had at first was with the rc.d system. (I was familiar with the SysV way). But it didn't take long to adapt.

I never got round to trying OpenBSD; I got my machine configured to do exactly what I wanted it to do and that was the end of it.

I'm not sure how it would've been if I didn't have Solaris experience. And in retrospect, if I had known that pkgsrc worked in Solaris, I'd probably still be using it. But I'm glad I'm not.

Also, this was a long time ago now, and FreeBSD is probably different now. I have no idea. I don't even remember what the FreeBSD documentation was like, but I still like the NetBSD Guide . It's like the RCA Receiving Tube Manual. I read it for fun now and then.

unicorn

sorry, what's the tada icon mean?

rvp

unicorn Party popper

Computernoob9000

So I know I've been gone a long while but I need help I finally installed freebsd on an old workstation but I can't install pkg it keeps giving me an error can I get some help ?

nettester

Computernoob9000 Probably if you describe the problem people will try to help you.

Computernoob9000

Fair enough so I tried installing pkg as normal but I kept getting an error were it couldn't get the repo and it told me I need to change my PACKAGESTATE.

nettester

Computernoob9000 One of the most important aspects of troubleshooting is a detailed error description. I fear "couldn't get the repo" is a bit to generic. Can you please describe what's exactly happening (or rather not happening). Ideally just copy/paste the error(s) you are facing.

unicorn

Computernoob9000
you can ask at FreeBSD forum

Computernoob9000

Yeah good point https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Xc38GKyVZ97VR_OBEqU6BU3d5HoXM5v/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DtvBODFT2nKTpLuO13pQhER3naFSaFjD/view?usp=drive_link I can't get pkg to install.

nettester

Computernoob9000 No offense but "can't get the pkg to install" isn't overly specific either. Concerning the two links: I am not sure what those are as both of them want me to sign in to google with no further explanation.

Why don't you just post a short description of the commands you are running and and the error message you are receiving?

Computernoob9000

My mistake is this better ?

unicorn

Computernoob9000 My mistake is this better ?

this sentence means?

Computernoob9000 Disclaimer: I don't use FreeBSD but, the package database is there, visit the site yourself, https://pkg.freebsd.org/FreeBSD:13:amd64/quarterly/Latest/

Failed address resolution? Are you connected to internet? Firewall stopping it?

EDIT: Downloading it also works here.

nettester

Computernoob9000 Yes, that's way better. 🙂

Concerning the actual error i can only second what @pin said. There seems to be some problem with your internet connection. At least your dns resolver seems to be un- or misconfigured (/etc/resolv.conf i think - disclaimer: i am not a FreeBSD user either). Chances are there is a general connection problem (like wifi not connected, no dhcp client running, ...) though.

unicorn this sentence means?

It's a polite (and short) way of saying "Here is more information. I hope it is sufficient now." Well, at least that's kinda what it comes down to. I fear it's kinda hard to translate the exact word-by-word meaning. Maybe if you pretend there is a dot after "My mistake" it starts making more obvious sense.