http://www.getdeb.net/ has deb packages of boinc client & manager version 5.8.17 (2 packages).

Are you trying to install boinc through a command line only?

If so then download the binary to install BOINC from here. http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dl/boinc_5.8.16_i686-pc-linux-gnu.sh

You can do this by typing in: wget http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dl/boinc_5.8.16_i686-pc-linux-gnu.sh

Then you may need to change it to executable by typing in: chmod +x boinc_5.8.16_i686-pc-linux-gnu.sh

Next extract the file: ./wcg_boinc_5.8.16_i686-pc-linux-gnu.sh

Then you'll want to cd to the newly created BOINC dir: cd BOINC

Now if you would like to be able to remote in to this machine from another and control your boinc agent then you'll want to do these steps.

create a pass phrase for gui_rpc: echo yourpassphrase > gui_rpc_auth.cfg

Start up BOINC...these are common commands that I use for my lab machines: ./boinc --return_results_immediately --allow_remote_gui_rpc --redirectio --daemon
(Note: you can look up the options you wish to use by typing in ./boinc --help)

If you didn't want to use remote gui then do not create the gui_rpc_auth.cfg file as a random one will be created for you and change the --allow_remote_gui_rpc to --no_gui_rpc

Now that boinc is running you'll want to attach it to http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org. To do this you'll need to look up your auth key from your profile in My Grid. Then type in: ./boinc_cmd --project_attach http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org yourreallylongauthkey

Now your agent is connected...

Hope this helps,
-Uplinger

(edits...fixed some typos)

FWIW,

I saw someone posted somewhere (too many boards to actually remember where I saw it) that the package in Synaptic has been updated to a 5.8 version (don't remember if it was .16 or .17).

And I followed the install instructions in the Unofficial BOINC Wiki (as in I didn't get it out of Synaptic).

I'd suggest that first-timers just do "./boinc &" as a starting point. That way, they'll see all the output from boinc about what it's doing and that it is (or isn't) working. You can look up the args and work out which is appropriate afterwards.

Looks like a winner. Thanks!

Now it is time for me to let you know why this is so important.

5 1/4" crunchers.http://www.portwell.com/products/detail.asp?CUSTCHAR1=WADE-8056

Im trying to find duo's that have made it into the embedded market that run off just 5V, nothing special about the video or audio, runs off smart disk and would make a cheap/low power performance cruncher.

It seems to take about 2.5 gig for this version of Linux and Boinc. Im sure this can be shrunk down a bit. Thus leaving 2 gig of so for crunching space on a 4 gig SD.

So, by going down this road not only helped get 1 more machine going, by being Linux, this opened the door for this wider by dropping the overall concept price by 1/3.

Now pot that in your drive bay and (cough cough) not smoke it!