I'm trying to install GCC and Make on a desktop that's not connected to the internet, but I'm a bit stuck. I thought about putting the .deb files in /var/run/apt/caches so that APT would recognize them, but since 'build-essential' is just a meta-package that refers to other packages, I'm not sure how to go about it. Is it possible to simply download the required packages and install them manually? I've looked through my old disk, but it seems like the caches have disappeared at some point. The only option I have left is to take my desktop to the public library to get the installation done, which is quite inconvenient. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
If you have access to another identical system with internet, you can use Synaptic Package Manager to download the needed .deb packages onto a USB. Here's a quick guide:
1. Start Synaptic, search for the packages, and mark them.
2. Instead of applying, go to "File" > "Generate Package Download Script" to create a script that you can run on a fast internet connection.
Just a heads up, going to the library to run that script could be a bit of a hassle, but it might just work! You could also consider using Termux on a tablet or phone for some Linux functionality.
You’ll want the .deb packages for GCC and Make, right? If that's the case, I can help you find those!
What are your options at the library? If they let you boot a GNU/Linux system from a live USB, you could create a live USB with the same OS you’re running and enable persistence. Then you can boot it on a system with internet, and run:
```
apt install --download-only build-essential
```
This will download all required packages, provided they aren't already installed on your live image. If setting up persistence is tricky, you could use a regular live image with a container to download the packages.
Booting a live image might not be doable for me. I've just been using USB for data transfer.
Hey, make sure to include details about your distro and any relevant hardware info when asking for tech help! It makes getting better advice way easier.
Yep, exactly! Plus, I need the dependencies too.