When installing Debian 12 using the Calamares from the welcome screen a error appears when selecting "release notes". The error is "failed to execute default web browser" This occurs from a fresh install of a Live ISO. Does anyone know the cause ?
Calamares install error
- Thread starter johnlinux
- Start date
@johnlinux - well spotted 
After reading the above, I checked it for myself with a Debian 12 Cinnamon I have on a stick.
I had a negative result on the three options
I did not even get the error message you got.
So there is a glitch in that screen of the installer, but it does not prevent you from progressing further with the install.
You could report it to Debian (perhaps check first in their forum to see if it has already been noted).
In the meantime, you can read the release notes here
https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/releasenotes
Cheers
Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
After reading the above, I checked it for myself with a Debian 12 Cinnamon I have on a stick.
I had a negative result on the three options
- Debian support
- Known issues and
- Release notes
I did not even get the error message you got.
So there is a glitch in that screen of the installer, but it does not prevent you from progressing further with the install.
You could report it to Debian (perhaps check first in their forum to see if it has already been noted).
In the meantime, you can read the release notes here
https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/releasenotes
Cheers
Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
The IO error would make me nervous... and I'd be most checking for problems with your install media; so I'd switch to terminal & explore system logs hoping for clues...
- Did you verify ISO after download to ensure it was perfect; whilst download problems are extremely rare; they do occur (less than 1% of ISO downloads in my experience)
- Did you verify ISO write to your media; this is where I have more issues; with >3% failures here; whilst that's not common issue, for me that's many failures per year so I'm always checking for it...
Normal exploration of system logs (systemd journal, dmesg), are useful, or starting
I install Debian very rarely; so I can't help there, but that is where I'd look if I saw the message on Ubuntu installs using the calamares installer (three flavors used calamares at 24.04).
- Did you verify ISO after download to ensure it was perfect; whilst download problems are extremely rare; they do occur (less than 1% of ISO downloads in my experience)
- Did you verify ISO write to your media; this is where I have more issues; with >3% failures here; whilst that's not common issue, for me that's many failures per year so I'm always checking for it...
Normal exploration of system logs (systemd journal, dmesg), are useful, or starting
calamares from terminal (as messages can be easier to find when done this way) can be used.I install Debian very rarely; so I can't help there, but that is where I'd look if I saw the message on Ubuntu installs using the calamares installer (three flavors used calamares at 24.04).
CaffeineAddict
Well-Known Member
The error means that your don't have default web browser set.
To fix it, find "default applications" settings somewhere in desktop settings and set it to Firefox or which ever browser you have installed.
To fix it, find "default applications" settings somewhere in desktop settings and set it to Firefox or which ever browser you have installed.
I tried downloading the latest Debian12.7 ISO for XFCE with a SHA256 06afa9793cb6c4a3a41d608794405f1af626ab2f9b85bec28e5253d4da929207
The same results. Clicking on "debian support" produces the same error. But If i select the browser in the new installation it works and can open web sites.
The same results. Clicking on "debian support" produces the same error. But If i select the browser in the new installation it works and can open web sites.
hacktheworld
Active Member
I would reinstall Debian 12 all over again, just to be on the safe side, re-download the ISO and verify it, and also the USB stick (if you haven't already verified the ISO). The error message should no longer appear.
The most likely reason the browser can't be accessed is because the installer is at a stage in the installation process at that moment that does not yet support the full functions of the operating system. That is, not enough software is yet installed and functional for the user to use the apps. The user needs to allow the installer to complete its installation before all the apps are going to become fully functional.
As to why the user can try and choose to open the browser during installation is likely because the installer is still a work in progress, and the developers intend to be able to introduce that functionality, but it's not there yet. The same results have occurred here some time ago.
No to #7 - the OP already has the distro installed and the browser is functional.
I advised the OP at my #2, in part
They are the people in the best position to answer the question.
Cheers
Wizard
I advised the OP at my #2, in part
They are the people in the best position to answer the question.
Cheers
Wizard
The issue is you reported that using cinnamon you did not get the error suggesting that there is some difference in the installer before the installation is performed on desktops environments at least between XFCE and cinnamon.
Yes, but I said
So those did not work for me, insofar as choosing them and those choices launching Firefox.
I did not get the error you got, but the end result is the same.
And the bottom line is the same, namely that unless you contact the Devs you will not likely get a definitive answer.
If, whether in the Live environment, or in your installed distro, you open Terminal and enter
you will find a bug report address.
I hope I have explained that better now.
Wizard
So those did not work for me, insofar as choosing them and those choices launching Firefox.
I did not get the error you got, but the end result is the same.
And the bottom line is the same, namely that unless you contact the Devs you will not likely get a definitive answer.
If, whether in the Live environment, or in your installed distro, you open Terminal and enter
Code:
cat /etc/os-releaseyou will find a bug report address.
I hope I have explained that better now.
Wizard
Yea I used to swear by Debian and It's several derivatives however,ever since I've discovered Distributions like SUSE and Slackware. I'm currently writing this very response on is a Hp Z420 Workstation running Slackware and I've also put Slackware on an old ThinkPad X Carbon that my father gave me which used to be his corporate issued computer.
