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[WARNING: This article is graphically intensive] For those of you slippery quick types this Debian install tutorial goes into almost no detail, instead uses screen captures with captions to guide you through a particular Debian installaction.
For textual installation instructions with more detail see the following page:
Debian GNU/Linux textual installation instructions
Print the images, or just keep this page handy on another computer, either way it's a quick walk-through of installing Debian's latest distribution.
This tutorial assumes Verizon DSL with no networking during the install. Some of you will find that you are connected using your cable broadband connection, or DHCP works for you with your Verizon connection. Terrific, do what you like. One tip that a reader mentioned, and that I agree with, is knowing your display configuration. Example, the most common failure (not a failure, per say - but a situation that needs to be remedied) of the install is in not setting up X, your display, correctly. You might get an error upon booting that xserver cannot start for whatever reason, or your display is terrible. See the end of this tutorial for a fix that usually works.
This problem can be prevented by knowing the refresh (vertical and horizontal) rates of your monitor beforehand. As well, if you have an nVIDIA card, you will want to get the drivers directly from nVIDIA's site to install post installation. See that tutorial here .
[ See Getting into BIOS ]
And so away we go...
Boot to the install disc.
Enter linux26 for the newer kernel
Next screen, choose not to configure the network right now. Relax, we'll get to it.
The installer will start the partition utility.
Choose to Manually Partition
Delete any existing Partitions
Let's make them Primary Partitions
Next up we'll mount the new partition
Then we'll make another partition, this time our /home partition.
You'll choose to "Use As" on your Swap partition, and choose "Swap Area"
Your partitions are made, you can arrow down to Finish Partitioning and write changes.
Arrow to "yes", you have to write what you just made. The installer gives you this warning page as a last warning - it wants to make sure you really want to make these partitions. Of course you do.
Now Debian starts to install. Woohoo!
The boot loader GRUB needs to go in now. Choose yes to let it install.
That's it for now. It's finished. Choose continue to allow your machine to reboot. Don't forget to go back into your BIOS when rebooting and choose to boot from your HDD-0 now. Leave the disc in the drive.
----------REBOOT-------------
When your machine reboots the Debian install will continue. You'll need to configure your install and choose some more options. Also, you'll probably want to install a Desktop Environment like Gnome (Debian's default) or KDE.
Initially you will choose your time zone and set up your ADMIN credentials and a new user. This new user is YOU. Very important is to not log into your new Debian installaction as root. It can only lead to trouble. When it comes time that you need to be admin (root) you will be presented with the opportunity to supply the root password and temporarily become the Super User. For example, when updating your system, installing software, or modifying system files and the like.
Please choose good, strong passwords. By doing so you are practicing "good security". Any machine can be compromised - why make it easy for some malcontent by using weak, easily guessable (or forcible) passwords. Your dog or kids or birthday do not make good passwords.
Write your passwords down, study them, then eat the paper. You can feel like James Bond. I would also suggest that you change your passwords every so often - every 90 days or so. Repeat the process. Paper passes through quickly.
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Following the creation of user accounts the installer will want to set up APT, the package manager for Debian. Apt is how you will add/remove software (for the most part) and keep your machine updated. It's a beautifully simple and effective program - you'll only need to learn a few commands to keep your machine tip-top. As well, there is an apt front-end called Synaptic that will be installed with your DE (desktop environment). Synaptic will be accessible from your Menu and this is one of those times that you will need your admin (su or "root") password.
Choose to use your CD-ROM as your apt source and NO to add any more, and also NO to add any other sources to apt. Let the installer continue, it will install about 1 further application and ultimately tell you your system is installed. Woohoo!
Now, let's connect to the net and grab your fancy new DE. (You're all plugged in right?) At the prompt you're at when the installer has completed type the following:
$ su
Type your root password, enter. Now we'll connect.
# pppoeconf
Go through hitting enter every time except where you must type in your username and password. Do that and continue with a few more "enter" choices. Seconds later you are online. Now we'll set up apt.
# nano /etc/apt/sources.list
In nano, you will arrow to the CD-ROM address. Put the # sign at the beginning of the line to comment it out, it's useless to you now. Arrow down a line or two and type the following - leave out the US if you're not in USA.
deb ftp://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ sarge main contrib non-free
Un-comment the debian security repository.
Now to exit and save type the following:
ctrl+x to quit, y to save, then hit enter to overwrite.
Back at the prompt:
# apt-get update
You'll see web addresses scroll by and get that fuzzy feeling that you are doing this. When it's finished you have only to type the following:
# base-config
A small box appears allowing you to check off the software you would like to install. How about for now you just arrow-down and hit the space-bar on the Desktop option.
Then hit enter
The installer will now download all the necessary files to give you 2 desktop environments. You'll get Gnome and KDE and all the cool applications that come with them giving you a completely functional desktop. All the programs you'll need to be productive, and many you'll want (need?) to play. This will take a while (20 minutes, an hour) but following the download and during the install you will be prompted for some answers. The default is often appropriate but read the descriptions anyway. You'll do fine.
When it's finished, you're finished. You did it. At the prompt just type the following:
# reboot
Your system will reboot into your fancy new Debian GNU/Linux operating system. You will be at a GUI login now. Go ahead and type your username, hit enter, then your password. Enter. Welcome to Linux.
If your desktop has a less than acceptable resolution you may easily remedy this. Open up a terminal: typing: alt + F2 will open a run box, type: gnome-terminal, then enter. At the prompt become root. Type: $ su - then your root password. Type the following command:
# dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86
Go through and answer the questions. Again, Debian is damned good at choosing the correct settings for your hardware but you may still need to type the real horiz and vert refresh rates of your monitor. That's usually why your desktop resolution is off following an install. During this process you will be prompted to apply your monitor's resolution settings by choosing "advanced" settings, you'll see where.
It may be that you get an error at login because X isn't working for you at all. The above reconfigure command should be employed in this situation as well. If it fails you will no doubt find the solution in one of the many online forums or tutorials. Search your error in Google.
When dpkg finishes you'll most likely be set. You can take advantage of your Nvidia card, and others as well. Employ 3d. Go ahead and Install nVIDIA driver.
Woohoo! Debian is installed. See - that was pretty easy. You were scared.
People will know how cool you are now, after having installed Debian. You can say, "I run Debian" and people envy your savvy ways.
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