**Updated (2021-12-14):** When I installed NetBSD for the first time, I remember I’d to collect bits and pieces of information from different places, some of which were rather old and outdated. So, I’ve decided to write this stuff down and publish it here. Hope that it helps anyone looking to install and configure NetBSD as a laptop/desktop daily driver, if it helps one single soul, I’d be happy! ~~I'll try to keep this updated on a regular basis.~~ I got this 2014 laptop* without a hard drive, but with 8GB of RAM. How large should the hard drive be? Looking on the web and asking a few questions, I concluded that NetBSD wouldn’t require that much for a full install. So I bought a 30GB SSD for $20 and placed it in this laptop. Then, I installed [NetBSD-9.2_STABLE](https://nycdn.netbsd.org/pub/NetBSD-daily/netbsd-9/latest/images/) from an usb, as described in, [the guide](https://www.netbsd.org/docs/guide/en/). Choose keyboard -> Install to hard disk -> Full installation -> Use the entire disk, then set the sizes of the partitions, ``` / 26GB swap 2GB ``` When the base install was finished, I let `dhcp` configure my network connection automatically, set the console keyboard, created a root password, set the root shell to `/bin/ksh` and configure the system to use the correct [pkgin mirror](http://ftp.netbsd.org/pub/pkgsrc/packages/NetBSD/amd64/9.2/). On this install, I’ve chosen not to set-up `pkgsrc`. Keep it simple to start with and, to be honest, I think a larger hard drive would be handy to build packages from source using `pkgsrc`, as the build directory needs some space to grow during the building process. **Note:** I'm currently building quite a few packages with `pkgsrc` and so far, so good. No issues with the disk size, just remember to always clean the build (`make clean`, `make clean-depends` and `make distclean`) before you start the next one ;) I always choose to add a system user after installing, so that’s what I’ve done this time as well. After installing and rebooting the system, login as root and… `# pkgin install doas dbus spectrwm slock firefox vim scrot xpdf-4 gtar xz montserrat git-base desktop-file-utils feh mozilla-rootcerts-openssl featherpad qt5ct redshift` For my needs, I also install `hunspell-sv_SE`, but your needs may be slightly different ;) I use `spectrwm`, but obviously, you can replace it with whatever wm you prefer. Note that, `spectrwm` needs a screenlock to function, therefore I'm pulling `slock`. Next copy some start up files to `/etc/rc.d` ``` # cp /usr/pkg/share/examples/rc.d/dbus /etc/rc.d/ ``` Add these to `/etc/rc.conf` with the following: ``` rpcbind=YES dbus=YES ``` If, like me, you have an Intel processor and would like to have the intel-microcode updated, remember Meltdown and Spectre?! Install the intel-microcode package, `# pkgin install intel-microcode-netbsd` copy the start-up script to `/etc/rc.d` `# cp /usr/pkg/share/examples/rc.d/intel-microcode /etc/rc.d/` add `microcode=YES` to your `rc.conf` and reboot. Once again, login as root and add an user ``` # useradd -g wheel -G users -s /bin/ksh -c "your real name" -m user_name # passwd user_name ``` Make sure your user_name has been added to wheel (check `/etc/group`). If not, add it now. Create the `/usr/pkg/etc/doas.conf` file according to your needs. Here's mine as an example, ``` #doas.conf permit :wheel permit nopass user_name cmd reboot permit nopass user_name cmd shutdown ``` Reboot, login as the new user and configure your stuff, things like `.xinitrc`, `.shrc`, `.Xresources`, ... Next time you login, you can issue `startx` to launch the graphical environment on your install. For wireless configuration using `dhcpcd` and `wpa_supplicant` see [this archived post](https://archive.unitedbsd.com/t/netbsd-desktop-pt-2-set-up-wireless-networking-on-netbsd-with-wpa-supplicant-and-dhcpcd/281) by @"JuvenalUrbino"#4. Also, by the same author there are quite a few very interesting and valuable tutorials, among others on [how to set-up a firewall](https://archive.unitedbsd.com/t/netbsd-desktop-pt-3-simple-stateful-firewall-with-npf/286) and [configuring external media automount](https://archive.unitedbsd.com/t/netbsd-desktop-pt-5-automounting-with-berkeley-am-utils/294). Visit the [archive](https://archive.unitedbsd.com/) for further information. Enjoy NetBSD! [img]https://i.imgur.com/NJTEdRp.png[/img] *HP EliteBook 820 G1 ``` $ sysctl hw.machine_arch hw.model hw.ncpu hw.usermem64 hw.machine_arch = x86_64 hw.model = Intel 686-class hw.ncpu = 4 hw.usermem64 = 8448819200 $ pcictl pci0 list 000:00:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) Host Bridge, DRAM (host bridge, revision 0x0b) 000:02:0: Intel HD Graphics (GT2) (VGA display, revision 0x0b) 000:03:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) Mini HD audio (mixed mode multimedia, revision 0x0b) 000:20:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) USB xHCI (USB serial bus, xHCI, revision 0x04) 000:22:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) MEI (miscellaneous communications, revision 0x04) 000:25:0: Intel I218-LM Ethernet Connection (ethernet network, revision 0x04) 000:27:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) HD Audio (mixed mode multimedia, revision 0x04) 000:28:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) PCIe (PCI bridge, revision 0xe4) 000:28:3: Intel Core 4G (mobile) PCIe (PCI bridge, revision 0xe4) 000:28:5: Intel Core 4G (mobile) PCIe (PCI bridge, revision 0xe4) 000:29:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) USB EHCI (USB serial bus, EHCI, revision 0x04) 000:31:0: Intel Core 4G (mobile) LPC (ISA bridge, revision 0x04) 000:31:2: Intel Core 4G (mobile) SATA Controller (AHCI) (SATA mass storage, AHCI 1.0, revision 0x04) 000:31:3: Intel Core 4G (mobile) SMBus (SMBus serial bus, revision 0x04) 002:00:0: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 WiFi (miscellaneous network, revision 0x34) 003:00:0: Realtek Semiconductor RTS5227 PCI-E Card Reader (undefined, subclass 0x00, revision 0x01) ```

Uh oh, this screenshot make me wana go home early and tinkering with my old Dell Vostro Laptop. Thanks man

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this out.

@"panorain"#p329 you're welcome ?

Guide updated according to my latest changes ?

Thanks @"pin"#2 for this guide. I will not go through NetBSD yet because my Intel graphics card and my Broadcom wifi card are not yet well recognized.

@"ouaille_aime_scier"#p563 Understand that, though its a bit strange... Intel graphics tend to be well supported, unless you have a very new machine. As for broadcom, it could be hit or miss. Although the latest stable release has support for quite a few of those, see https://www.netbsd.org/releases/formal-8/NetBSD-8.1.html

@"pin"#2 I have an i915 graphics card which is recognized, but there are some windowing issues behind it (window of applications that hang at the top of the screen). The wifi card is a BCM4313 that is not yet on NetBSD (nor on FreeBSD which I actually use).

@"ouaille_aime_scier"#p565 😭

A small useful mod (if you work with NetBSD at night when your family is sleeping) is to turn off console beeps. You can do this in X by adding `xset b off`to your .xinitrc . More information here: https://wiki.netbsd.org/tutorials/how_to_turn_off_console_beep/

NetBSD - A little guide for newcomers

bsdisbetter

I always use an editor. I never use usermod to add myself to a group. I also take myself off a group if need be.
The syntax is so simple groupname:groupnumber:{member,member,member...}

So, just edit away. That's what I say... Go crazy!

bsdisbetter So, just edit away. That's what I say... Go crazy!

Yeah 🥳

pfr

pin
bsdisbetter
I agree, I actually prefer editing files because then I know exactly what's in them!

pfr Not really my thing but, SLIM is a dead project, last release was in 2013.
By all means use it if you want but just be aware of it.

pfr

pin Ahh yup, XDM then!
Cheers

pfr

bsdisbetter
JuvenalUrbino

So I suspect I have an issue with permissions. Essentially, when I log in as root and startx the wm loads with the default .conf file. When I log in and startx as my user, I get a neutered version of my wm (no dmenu or keybindings) basically it's not reading my .conf file.. If I want a global configuration file that is used for both root and user, where should it be saved? I'm probably never going to log in as root unless I have to.

How do I add/change permissions necessary for everything to load properly when logged in as my user? I know this is pretty basic stuff, but I feel like I'm learning this stuff so over again.

Still haven't got wifi working... That's next

pfr
For wifi, what's the output of pcictl pci0 list and ifconfig?

I never launch X as root, its a security concern!

As for permissions, did you create the .xinitrc file as root or as your user?
What's the out put of ls -lap inside your home directory?
Here's mine for comparison,

pin@mybox $ ls -lap
total 168
drwxr-xr-x  16 pin   wheel   1024 Dec  5 12:29 ./
drwxr-xr-x   4 root  wheel    512 Dec  2 15:29 ../
-rw-------   1 pin   wheel     50 Dec  5 12:23 .Xauthority
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    748 Dec  3 12:53 .Xresources
drwxr-xr-x   4 pin   wheel    512 Dec  5 14:38 .cache/
drwxr-xr-x  14 pin   wheel    512 Dec  5 11:35 .config/
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel   1780 Nov  1 10:30 .cshrc
drwx------   3 pin   wheel    512 Nov  6 09:50 .dbus/
-rwxr-xr--   1 pin   wheel     68 Dec  5 12:23 .fehbg
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel     76 Nov  6 09:57 .gitconfig
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    115 Nov  6 10:32 .gtkrc-2.0
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel   1326 Nov  6 10:38 .keybindings.conf
drwx------   3 pin   wheel    512 Nov  6 10:05 .local/
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    431 Nov  1 10:30 .login
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    265 Nov  1 10:30 .logout
drwx------   4 pin   wheel    512 Nov  6 10:04 .mozilla/
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel   1586 Dec  5 10:46 .profile
-rw-------   1 pin   wheel     50 Dec  5 12:23 .serverauth.965
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    182 Nov  6 10:38 .shrc
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel   1670 Dec  5 10:40 .spectrwm.conf
drwx------   2 pin   wheel    512 Dec  5 11:30 .ssh/
drwx------   4 pin   wheel    512 Nov 12 09:38 .thumbnails/
drwxr-xr-x   3 pin   wheel    512 Dec  3 12:00 .vim/
-rw-------   1 pin   wheel  21199 Dec  5 12:27 .viminfo
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    206 Nov 25 20:46 .vimrc
-rw-r--r--   1 pin   wheel    333 Nov  6 10:39 .xinitrc
drwxr-xr-x   2 pin   wheel    512 Nov  6 10:23 Desktop/
drwxr-xr-x   3 pin   wheel    512 Dec  5 11:21 Documents/
drwxr-xr-x   2 pin   wheel    512 Dec  5 11:31 Downloads/
drwxr-xr-x   3 pin   wheel    512 Nov  6 10:31 Git/
drwxr-xr-x   2 pin   wheel    512 Nov  6 10:29 Templates/
drwxr-xr-x   2 pin   wheel    512 Dec  3 11:40 Wallpapers/

If you have something like -rw-r--r-- 1 root wheel 333 Nov 6 10:39 .xinitrc then you have to change this.
To do so, from your home directory,

$ cd ..
$ su
Password:
# chown -R your_username your_home_directory
# exit
$

As I mentioned on the OP, feel free to go through my dotfiles on github. But, to save you time I add my .xinitrc here.
Please adjust according to your needs, keyboard layout and wallpaper source...

#!/bin/sh
#
# ~/.xinitrc
#
# Executed by startx (run your window manager from here)

if [ -d /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d ]; then
  for f in /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d/*; do
    [ -x "$f" ] && . "$f"
  done
  unset f
fi

xrdb -merge ~/.Xresources && setxkbmap se

xset b off && feh --bg-fill "/home/pin/Wallpapers/wall.jpg"

exec spectrwm

Also, please host your .spectrwm.conf somewhere and link it here if you would like help spotting possible errors.
Remember spectrwm calls some programs by default, if those are not installed, it will sometimes load an error on the bar or fail to load.

pfr

pin Thank you ! I will come back to you with a reply soon!!

pfr

pin
Ok I'm back (was a busy Xmas). Also my other laptop needed repairs so now I've only got the one and I'm now using my phone to access this forum.
I apologise for the photo of my screen, but it's easier than typing it out on a phone. Here is a picture of the outputs of those commands.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SqvgH2Tsq8ZTd5Dq5/

🤣
Just moved my hard drive to a "new" machine... it was time to retire the old brick

pfr
Ok! Did you install using a wired connection?
Your wifi interface is iwn0, the same as mine, So basically, you could just copy my configurations from github and adjust ssid and PSK 😉
You need /etc/wpa_supplicant, don't forget to change the "****" 😉
Then, you need /etc/ifconfig/iwn0 and to adjust your /etc/rc.conf

This part

wpa_supplicant=YES
wpa_supplicant_flags="-B -D bsd -i iwn0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf"
dhcpcd=YES
dhcpcd_flags="-qM iwn0 -b"

If you still have trouble connecting, try removing the wired interface. To do so just move out ifconfig.wm0 of /etc

You might need to restart the interface
doas /etc/rc.d/wpa_supplicant restart to connect.

As for the error/warning on the spectrwm bar, you can either install xlockmore or install slock and look at my config

Here is the relevant part

# Default Programs
program[lock]		= slock
program[term]		= xterm
program[menu]		= dmenu_run $dmenu_bottom -fn $bar_font -nb $bar_color -nf $bar_font_color -sb $bar_color_selected -sf $bar_font_color_selected

Let me know if you still have trouble with any of it.

pfr

pin
Awesome thanks! And yes I did install with a wired connection and can still connect to wired but it's not ideal as I've only got shot cables.

So I've done all that, put my ssid and password in wpa_supplicant.conf
I've edited my rc.conf to match yours
I've removed/moved my ifconfig.wm0 and even commented out the wired connection in rc.conf

I've restarted dhpc.. rebooted. Seems to all be loading fine, no errors. But I'm not connected. Can't ping anything..

I did get a random output of dhcpcd[131]: if_route (ADD): File exists

Also, I now get this message when I startx:
xauth: file /home/user/.serverauth.557 does not exist
xauth: timeout in locking authority file /home/user/.Xauthority

I can ctrl+C and it'll still load spectrwm but if I let it go it just times out and my screen goes blank and I need to hard reboot.

Any ideas?

pfr Any ideas?

Yes, you have to fix /etc/hosts, I'll post a config later, on mobile right now...

As for wifi, did you restart it like I wrote on the previous post?
doas /etc/rc.d/wpa_supplicant restart

@pfr

 # hosts                                                                                                     
 #
 # Host name database.
 #
 # This file contains addresses and aliases for local hosts whose names
 # need to be resolvable during system boot; typically this includes only
 # the address and FQDN for this machine's hostname.
 #
 # By default this file is consulted before DNS, so adding additional
 # material here that then becomes out of date can lead to confusion.
 # See nsswitch.conf(5).
 #
 ::x                     mybox.my.domain  mybox
 xxx.x.x.x               mybox.my.domain  mybox
 #
 # RFC 1918 specifies that these networks are "internal":
 # 10.0.0.0        -   10.255.255.255  (10/8 prefix)
 # 172.16.0.0      -   172.31.255.255  (172.16/12 prefix)
 # 192.168.0.0     -   192.168.255.255 (192.168/16 prefix)

NOTE: mybox is the name of my computer, should be the same as stated in /etc/rc.conf. my.domain is the name I gave my DNS while installing.

pfr

pin
Thank you very much. Wifi is up and running!
But do i need to restart wpa_supplicant after each reboot? can I add the line to my .xinitrc?

Now I just need to sort out my spectrwm config for things like colours and fonts.. and dmenu.

Thanks again for you help! my other laptop is going to be 6-8 weeks getting repaired on warranty so having WiFi on my NetBSD machine is a life saver!

I'll hopefully have a screenshot ready soon for the "what does your BSD look like" thread. 😀
You'll need to tell me how to upload pics on this forum though.

pfr yes, you can add the line to your .xinitrc but, first you need it to run without root password.
Add the following to your /usr/pkg/etc/doas.conf:

permit nopass your_user_name cmd /etc/rc.d/wpa_supplicant
Now, you can add your line to .xinitrc

You could read the section important tweaks for correct services behaviour on this thread. Although, I don't think this is the issue. You see, I have the same behaviour but, only on my private network. If I'm on a open network, I don't need to restart wpa_supplicant and I'm connected before I login. This behaviour isn't really consistent with the mounting of the /usr partition but, you could give it a try and let me know the result or, you just add the restart line to .xinitrc and forget about it 😉

As for posting pictures, take your screenshot and host it at some image share site, like postimg or, imgur. Copy the hotlink for forums and insert it here incapsulated between [img]...[/img].
Note: add just the https string, not other stuff before or, after it. These sites add some adds to the string and those are just annoying.

I'm happy you're up and running on your machine. Glad I could help.

pfr

pin
Excellent. Following that guide I was able to get wpa_supplicant to start at boot so no need to edit the .xinitrc

Next thing I want to get done is setup Slim and find a nice theme.

Eventually I'll sort out my colors too.. for now this is unaltered st-term (its black by default!). Does Xterm have 256 colour support or do I need to install a different version? I notice you use Xterm-256color.

pfr Does Xterm have 256 colour support or do I need to install a different version?

Yes, it does. I'm using the one that's integrated in the base system. Have a look at my .Xresources if you wish, you know where to find them 😉
You can use terminal sexy to generate color schemes.

Thanks for reporting back on the mounting of the /usr partition, I still find it strange 🤔

One question, though. Looking at your ufetch... it says NetBSD 8.1?
Did you install the original 31/05 release? If so, there're several kernel vulnerabilities. You should have used the daily build image instead.
By the way, 9.0_RC1 is very stable, if you would like to upgrade to that. Ask if you want instructions and where to get binaries, there're a few things you would need to be aware of.

pfr

pin
I was fairly sure I chose the stable branch when downloading the img. But yes, if 8.1 is less secure I will need to upgrade. Please let me know the steps involved.

I've also got an error when trying to mount external media using mount and mount_msdos. I followed the Guide in chapter 13 but getting an error (will post the error tonight - currently on work computer) but if there is any quirks let me know.

Just to clarify, is it cool that I continue to post questions relating to getting my system set up in this thread? I suppose for anyone else who comes along to it may be useful for it all to be in the one place. Let me know if I should start a new thread at anytime.

pfr I was fairly sure I chose the stable branch when downloading the img. But yes, if 8.1 is less secure I will need to upgrade.

Stay on 8.1 for now, but that's not the issue, you should install from the latest 8.1 image. The main web-page will always have the link to the original release. Get the image from here, https://nycdn.netbsd.org/pub/NetBSD-daily/netbsd-8/latest/images/ instead.
I find it easier and safer to use sysinst to upgrade. Just create a bootable usb with the latest image for amd64, here, boot from it and choose option b: on the installation menu. Read chapter 4 for details.

pfr I've also got an error when trying to mount external media

Nope, no issues here. I create an empty directory on my home folder, say /Usb and run mount /dev/sd0 /home/pin/Usb
You can set automount if you wish.

pfr Just to clarify, is it cool that I continue to post questions relating to getting my system set up in this thread?

Well, its not searchable but, I'm fine with it.

pfr

pin
this is what I get

$ mount /dev/sd0 /home/dp/media
mount_ffs: /dev/sd0 on /home/dp/media:  Operation not permitted
$ doas mount /dev/sd0 /home/dp/media
mount_ffs: /dev/sd0 on /home/dp/media:  Incorrect super block

I feel like I should be able to mount a drive without doas..

I also tried to follow the guide for auto mounting and when I type

$ service amd start
AMDCONF: syntax error on line 19 (section global)

line 19 is
map_name = media

As for upgrading to 9.0RC I'll have a read of chapter 4 and see how much of it I understand before I attempt upgrading 🙂

pfr

pin
So from what i've read, perhaps an updated kernel will fix my mount_ffs: /dev/sd0 on /home/dp/media: Incorrect super block error..?

The only trouble is, to update my kernel using the sysinst method I need to be able to mount a usb to flash it with the latest img. 😆 ... or wait until my other laptop is repaired and flash it on that instead.

pin I find it easier and safer to use sysinst to upgrade.

What are the dangers when using sysupgrade instead of sysinst ?

« Previous Page Next Page »