Lisi, your original post was you were unsure about the "recommends" of 
packages to be installed, we already said you probably do want them. If 
no network, how can apt have processed that much?

You will see from <apt-get update> whether you got network! If not, 
that's a non-starter.

If the problem is actually necessary`packages (dependencies) which 
cannot or will not be installed for some reason, that's a different 
matter (of course, any "recommends" will also have dependencies which 
must be satisfied) That can and does happen if a repo is in a state of 
change or connection temporarily down. Then the apt system will delay 
installation till the error is resolved, that's intended behaviour.

I would not use Slavek's repo just now for a new install because I know 
it's updated often and sometimes is very slow. I install from official 
3.5.13, currently quite static, then upgrade later. Maybe you were 
unlucky and hit it (axis) at the wrong time. I have seen failed TDE 
installs occasionally when the official 3.5.13 mirrors were not behaving 
but they seem fine at the moment.

When installing multiple packages (TDE) I always use <apt-get install -d 
package> that is, first download the packagees only. If all is well then 
go ahead and install. You will see in the terminal any download errors, 
if so stop, try again later the same way.

There are various cli method to resolve apt conflicts but if you don't 
know them, this might just be easiest:

apt-get update
apt-get purge desktop-base-trinity kde-trinity
apt-get install -d desktop-base-trinity kde-trinity
apt-get install desktop-base-trinity kde-trinity

Most of it will be in you cache already so should be quite fast. If you 
prefer aptitude, use it's equivalent commands.

Re Exegnu Linux: It is deliberately stripped down to fit a CD and is not 
intended as a recommended alternative to official install instructions 
(it does work well and has an installer... but is not officially 
supported and may have it's own bugs) You can always add/remove packages 
later. In live-cd mode, it will verify your network connection and other 
hardware compatability.

David