Debian install over http

[Strogian]

I have a 2.2r4 version of the debian CD, and I'm using it to install 2.2r5 over http. I'm using the primary US debian mirror (forget what it's called). Now, I get to the phase where it downloads all the packages. Here's what happens:
1. When trying to get the groff package (I think), it gives me a "400 bad request" error. Every time.
2. Then a bunch of packages get downloaded without a hitch.
3. At the end, a whole slew of "size mismatch" errors occur.

As a result, there are a bunch of packages that will not get downloaded. Is this a problem with what I am doing? I've tried using a bunch of different mirrors, and the same exact thing happens. So I must be doing something wrong, or the master Debian system must be corrupt, or something. But I don't know what I could be doing wrong -- I'm doing everything by the book, as far as I know. Can anyone help me?

[PeterP]

I'm not sure what's happening there, Strogian, but if I were you I would just install 2.2r5, then run
apt-get update upgrade dist-upgrade
which should bring you up to date. (Have a read of the man page for apt-get). I don't visit this board often but if you want to ask about anything (not that I know that much) you can get me at ptpi@yahoo.com.
Good luck,
Peter.

[PeterP]

Sorry...that should read "just install 2.2r4 then run apt-get......"

Peter

[PeterP]

or is that what you're doing? sorry...just a bit unclear. Or maybe I'm too tired. I'll look in again tomorrow. Cheers. Peter.

[Strogian]

Nope, that's not what I'm doing. I may try that, though. What I've been trying to do is get the setup program to install directly from the Internet, without installing any packages from the CD at all. I am kinda curious as to why it's not working, though.

[Strogian]

Alright, I've "sorta" figured out the cause of the problem. I don't actually know the cause, but I know that it only happens when I try doing the simple install. (The one that presents you with like 20 package "groups," and you just have to select out of them.) Both types of errors (#1 and 3 on my list) go away when I manually do it using the advanced mode (dselect I think?). The only explanation that I can think of is that the simple install is hard-wired towards what is on the CD-ROM, so if you're using http to install a different debian version than what is on the CD, then it won't work. Anyone else know something about this?

[PeterP]

That sounds to me like it makes sense. Could well be it. I've never tried doing an install as you are so I can't really say more than that. If you're interested in doing it with apt-get though, then you should have a look at http://www.debian.org/releases/unstable/i386/release-notes
(that assumes you're using an intel X86 type machine. If not then you can find the relevant page by following the directories up till you get to choose your architecture then following the /release-notes link) This tells you all about 2.3 & how to upgrade from 2.2r? to 2.3. I'm currently running 'unstable' which I haven't had any problems with (well, a couple of minor bugs) but I have been advised that I probably should be running "testing" instead as unstable can sometimes be quite unstable. Anyway, its a good read, as is much of the other stuff on debian.org/releases.
Sorry I can't enlighten you as to what's going on with the http install but it sounds like you're getting there anyway.
Good luck with it, hey.
Peter.