NetBSD Problem Report #60343

From www@netbsd.org  Fri Jun 19 14:06:37 2026
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Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:06:36 +0000 (UTC)
From: rwj@SDF, org@netbsd.org
Reply-To: rwj@SDF, org@netbsd.org
To: gnats-bugs@NetBSD.org
Subject: change / devnt rqst: install menu / add pkgin to base install; dvd install alternative inc. basic sets for no-net access sets populating
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X-From4GNATS: "rwj@SDF, org@netbsd.org via gnats" <gnats-admin@NetBSD.org>

>Number:         60343
>Category:       install
>Synopsis:       change / devnt rqst: install menu / add pkgin to base install; dvd install alternative inc. basic sets for no-net access sets populating
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    install-manager
>State:          open
>Class:          change-request
>Submitter-Id:   net
>Arrival-Date:   Fri Jun 19 14:10:00 +0000 2026
>Last-Modified:  Sat Jun 20 06:35:01 +0000 2026
>Originator:     robert jones
>Release:        all the RC4 and later intel/amd  x64 and i386 including https://undefined/NetBSD-11.0_RC4-amd64-bios-install.img.gz
>Organization:
personal only - *novice*
>Environment:
e.g.
https://undefined/NetBSD-11.0_RC4-amd64-bios-install.img.gz
>Description:
Development / change request, not bug report.

a) the install menu routine once base system is installed - please add a prompt to remove boot media to signal clearly that a system ready to self boot now exists even though there is a confirmation of the latter. The installation of base system seemed to take virtually no time and for the tyro this is confusing as one wondered if it actually completed or there was an error / a spurious screen message, given there is substantial content on the usb stick and/or dvd.

b) add pkgin to the base install system regardless of whether "Enable installation of binary packages" is selected. 
Likewise add desktop-installer to the install medium to facilitate initial setup of a desktop environment esp. for the novice.

c) add pico / nano as an alternative to vi for the same reason.

d) consider expanding the dvd version so it includes a representative selection of main sets so installation of a system that has an x windows / window manager system plus web browser and say LibreOffice and some basic utils can be created w/o need for an internet connection. 

On my first (trial) install of NetBSD I did get a bootable system installed first time (after looping a couple of times for the reason in a) above) and the auto setup of wired internet w/ DHCP worked well so I was able to do tentative/experimental install of a web browser but then attempting to install and run desktop-installer somehow borked the system.

>How-To-Repeat:
Run install off any medium.
>Fix:
Change development request.

>Audit-Trail:
From: Martin Husemann <martin@duskware.de>
To: gnats-bugs@netbsd.org
Cc: 
Subject: Re: install/60343: change / devnt rqst: install menu / add pkgin to
 base install; dvd install alternative inc. basic sets for no-net access sets
 populating
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:34:11 +0200

 On Fri, Jun 19, 2026 at 02:10:01PM +0000, rwj@SDF, org@netbsd.org via gnats wrote:
 > a) the install menu routine once base system is installed - please
 > add a prompt to remove boot media to signal clearly that a system ready
 > to self boot now exists even though there is a confirmation of the
 > latter.

 The prompt is there, before you get asked to set up the root password:

 --8<--
 The installation of NetBSD-@@VERSION@@ is now complete.  The system
 should boot from hard disk.  Follow the instructions in the INSTALL
 document about final configuration of your system.  We also recommend
 reading the afterboot(8) manpage; it contains a list of things to be
 checked after the first complete boot.

 At a minimum, you should edit /etc/rc.conf to match your needs.  See
 /etc/defaults/rc.conf for the default values.
 -->8--

 Martin

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