How to install Debian GNU/Linux on your computer
From NewbieDOC
- Chris Lale
- chrislale AT users DOT berlios DOT de
Latest version
You can find the latest version of this document at http://newbiedoc.berlios.de.
Revision History
1.0 | 16th February 2007 | Revised by Chris Lale |
Initial release for Etch (Testing). | ||
1.1 | 25th May 2007 | Revised by Chris Lale |
Added link to install CD/DVD vendors on www.debian.org. | ||
1.2 | 14th June 2007 | Revised by Chris Lale |
Revised for compatibility with the Debian 4.0 Stable (Etch) installer. |
Abstract This HOWTO walks you through the installation of Debian GNU/Linux using the graphical installer ("installgui"). It covers some common scenarios - complete over-write of everything on an existing hard drive, dual-boot with another operating system (eg Windows) and installation from CD/DVD and network ("netinst"). This article is based on the Debian 4.0 Stable (Etch) i386 installer.
1 Introduction
This article explains how to install Debian GNU/Linux on a new computer or a computer already containing an operating system like Windows. You can choose to remove Windows completely or to keep it alongside Debian. You can install Debian from CD or DVD, or from a network connection to the internet.
Installing from CD and replacing Windows completely is very easy. Setting up a dual-boot system, or installing from a network, requires a little more work but is still straightforward. For a net install, your computer needs access to the internet via a network card.

Two types of installation are covered.
- Simple installation
- This is the easiest installation but it erases your hard disc first.
- Dual-boot installation
- This keeps your existing operating system (eg Windows) providing that enough free space is available. After installation, every time that you switch on the computer, or reboot it, you can choose which system to use. The installer can shrink your Windows partition or you can fit an extra hard drive for Debian. Backup any important files first.
Two installation methods are covered.
- Installation from a physical medium.
- The installation medium is normally CD or DVD. You can use a complete disc set, but you only the first disc in the set to install Debian. The other discs are useful if you cannot use the internet to download extra software in the future. You can either buy the discs or download them for free from the Debian website.
- Installation from a network or the internet.
- You can install directly from the internet. You need a "netinst" version of the installation CD (from the Debian website) and a connection to the internet via your computer's "network" socket. This could mean that your computer is connected either to a network or to a DSL/ADSL broadband modem/router with an RJ45 network cable.
2 What you need
2.1 Hardware and media
These are the items you will need in order to install Debian.
- a computer with
- a bootable CD/DVD drive and
- EITHER a hard drive that is empty or that you do not mind erasing completely
- OR a hard drive that has enough free space for adding Debian, or an additional hard drive for Debian;
- one of the official Debian installation media:
- first disc of CD or DVD set or
- netinst CD
2.2 Information you supply to the installer
The installer will ask you to supply this information. You can choose some of it from lists provided by the installer.
2.2.1 Installation from CD/DVD
- Language used during installation (chosen from a list).
- Country in which the computer will be used (chosen from a list).
- Keyboard layout of the computer's keyboard (chosen from a list).
- Hostname used to identify the computer (made up by you).
- Password for the administrative superuser "root" (made up by you).
- User name of someone who will use the computer for normal (non-administrative) purposes. (This will normally be your name).
- Username, or nickname, to be used by the computer to recognise the normal user. (This could be your firstname.)
- A different password for the normal user (made up by you).
2.2.2 Installation from Network
The installer will want all the information needed when installing from CD/DVD and these additional items.
- Domain name of the network to which computer belongs (supplied by the network administrator or made up by you for a home network or modem/router).
- Debian archive mirror server used to supplement the software on the CD/DVD. This is often something like ftp.<your country code>.debian.org (chosen from a list).
3 Outline of installation
- Boot from the installation CD/DVD.
- Choose a language.
- Choose a country.
- Choose a keyboard layout.
- Set the computer's hostname.
- Set the network domain name (only if connected to a network).
- Partition the hard drive.
- Choose the partitioning method - whether to erase the hard drive or shrink an existing partition (eg a Windows partition); whether to use the entire hard drive or just part of it.
- Choose the partitioning scheme - whether to put all files in one partition or to use additional partitions for different parts of the filesystem.
- Set up users and passwords.
- Choose a Debian archive mirror server (only if connected to a network).
- Configure the popularity contest - a survey to measure the most frequently used Debian software.
- Install optional software collections eg a desktop environment.
- Install the Grub bootloader.
- Reboot the computer.
4 Installation in detail
4.1 Boot from the install CD/DVD
Switch on the computer and immediately insert the installation CDROM or DVD. If you are using a disc set, insert the first disc. If you are installing from the internet via a network connection, insert the "netinst" CD. If you take too long the computer will not boot from the CD/DVD but will boot normally from the hard drive. Just reboot (restart) the computer with the CD/DVD still in the drive. If the computer still does not boot from the installation CD/DVD, check your BIOS settings. The Appendix gives instructions for this.
You will see the installer's boot screen with a message and a flashing cursor at the bottom.
Press F1 for help, or ENTER to boot:
Fig 1: The installer boot screen has a flashing cursor.
A GUI is a Graphical User Interface which enables you to use a mouse. The GUI version of the Debian installer will not become the default until Debian Lenny is released. However, you can opt to run the GUI installer by entering "installgui" at the flashing prompt.
installgui
The computer will boot into the GUI version of the installer.
4.2 How to use the installer
The installer's screens have buttons to enable you to move forwards and backwards through the installation process. You can provide information by choosing from lists, ticking boxes and entering text into boxes. On some screens there are progess bars to show you how far the installer has got.
You can interact with the installer's screens using the mouse in the normal way. Alternatively, you can use the arrow, tab, spacebar, Esc and Enter keys. The table shows how you can do this.
Mouse command | Keyboard command | |
---|---|---|
Continue | Click "Continue" or double-click on item | Press "Enter" key |
Go Back | Click "Go Back" | Press "Esc" key |
Select list item | Click item | Press "Up-arrow" or "Down-arrow" key |
Select other items | Click item | Cycle selection with "Tab" key |
Tick items | Click tick box | Select item and press "Tab", then "Spacebar" then "Tab" |
Radio choice items | Click radio button | Select item and press "Spacebar" |
Enter text | Select text box and type text | Select text box and type text |
4.3 You choose a language
The first screen asks you to choose the language to be used for the rest of the installation.
Fig 2: The installer GUI screen for choosing language.
Select a language (eg "English") from the list and click on the "Continue" button (or press the "Enter" key). Alternatively, you can double-click on "English".
English Continue
4.4 You choose a country
If the installer knows about your location (country, territory or area), it can make guesses about other configuration options. Select country (eg "United Kingdom") from the list and continue to the next screen.
United Kingdom Continue
4.5 You choose a keyboard layout
There is a list of keymaps. A keymap is a map of the position of every key on the computer's keyboard. Select a keymap (eg "British English") from the list and continue to the next screen.
British English Continue
4.6 The installer fetches files from the CDROM
The installer finds the CDROM, then detects and mounts it. It then gets the files it needs from the CDROM. You can follow the installer's progress on the screens with coloured bars.
Detecting hardware to find CD-ROM drives Scanning CD-ROM Loading additional components
Fig 3: The coloured bar shows progress.
4.7 The installer configures the network
The installer can use a network connection to fetch the latest security updates. It can also use the network connection as an alternative installation source instead of CD/DVD.
Most modern computers have a network card. The installer checks to see if you have one. If your network card is connected to a DSL/ADSL broadband modem, or if it is part of another network, the installer tries to connect to it. It does this by looking for a "DHCP" server on the network and asking it for a connection.
The coloured bars show progress.
Detecting network hardware Configuring the network with DHCP
If your computer is not connected to a network, automatic network detection will fail.
Network autoconfiguration failed Continue
This does not matter - just leave the network unconfigured. It just means that the installer will not fetch any security updates during installation. You can always fetch them later (eg by reconfiguring the repositories list using the "Synaptic" program).
Do not configure the network at this time Continue
4.8 You set the computer's hostname
The hostname[1] is the name that identifies the computer . It will be used in a variety of situations including the commandline prompt, logs, messages, and network connections. You must set a hostname even if the computer is not connected to a network at the moment. The default hostname is "debian", but you can change it to something else. For instance, to change it to "mybox", enter "mybox" into the "Hostname" text box.
Hostname: mybox Continue
4.9 You set the network domain
You only need to do this if your computer is connected to a network. Otherwise the installer will go straight to partitioning your hard drive (described in the next section).
You must tell the installer about the domain name (the segment of the network to which the computer will belong). If you are setting up a simple home network, you can make something up eg "myhome". All the computers in a simple network must have the same domain name.
Domain name: myhome Continue
The installer detects and identifies your hard drives and other hardware needed for sound, printing, etc. The coloured bar shows progress.
Detecting disks
4.10 You partition the hard drive
You can follow the coloured progress bar as the installer sets up the partitioning software.
Starting up the partitioner
4.10.1 You choose the partitioning method
You have a choice between guided and manual partitioning. For a simple installation choose one of the guided methods.
4.10.1.1 Simple installation - erase everything on the hard drive
If your hard drive is empty, or you do not mind erasing it completely, choose the "Guided" method that will guide you through using the whole disc:
Guided - use entire disk Continue

If you have only one disc, the installer will show only one entry in the list of discs to partition eg "IDE1 master(hda)":
IDE1 master(hda) - 8.4GB SOME MANUFACTURER HARDDISK Continue
If you have more than one disc, the installer will ask you which one to partition. If you wish to install Debian on a second hard drive, choose that disc. It will be "IDE2 master(hdb)" or something similar.
Go straight on to choosing the partitioning scheme.
4.10.1.2 Dual-boot installation - shrink an existing partition
If have only one hard drive and you wish to keep an existing operating system, you must make room for a Debian partition on the hard drive. Choose the "Manual" method.
Manual Continue
Select the partition containing the existing operating system. It will probably be the first ("#1")primary partition on the first master disc ("hda"). In this example of a typical Windows system, the partition size is 8.4 GB, it is bootable ("B") and is formatted with the "ntfs" file system.
> #1 primary 8.4 GB B ntfs Continue
Now you can resize the existing partition to free up some space for Debian partitions.

Resize the partition (currently 8.4 GB) Continue Write previous changes to disk and continue? Yes Continue
The amount that you can shrink the partition depends on how much free space there is inside the partition. For example, if the existing partition has something over 50% free space inside it, you could shrink the partition by 50%. In practice, you should plan to end up with adequate free space inside the existing partition after it has been resized.
New partition size: 50% Continue
You can follow progress with coloured bar. It may take a while.
Please wait...
Eventually, you will see the new partition table including the free space.
IDE1 master (hda) - 8.4 GB SOME_MANUFACTURER HARDDISK > # 1 primary 4.2 GB B ntfs > pri/log 4.2 GB FREE SPACE
Now you must partition the FREE SPACE for Debian. Select the FREE SPACE.
> pri/log 4.2 GB FREE SPACE Continue
Now you must choose how to partition this free space. Choose the partitioning scheme in the next section.
4.10.2 You choose the partitioning scheme
Select the simplest scheme which installs all the files into one partition.
All files in one partition - (recommended for new users) Continue
You can follow the coloured progress bar as the installer works out how best to fit the partition onto the hard drive.
4.10.3 You check the proposed partition information
The partitioner will propose setting up a "primary" partition for all files and and a "logical partition for swap. (Swap is temporary storage and improves you computer's performance.)
The hard drive will be identified by "hda", "sda" or something similar.
IDE1 master (hda) - 8.4GB SOME_MANUFACTURER HARDDISK
If you are doing a simple installation and overwriting the whole disc, you will see one primary partition. It will be partition number 1 formatted with the "ext3" filesystem and a mountpoint of "/" ("root of filesystem")
> #1 primary 8.3 GB B f ext3 /
If you are doing a dual boot installation you will see two partions -one containing your original operating system and a new one for the Debian root filesystem.
> #1 primary 4.2 GB ntfs > #2 primary 4.1 GB B f ext3 /
There will be another small "logical" partition for the swap space. Partition number 5 is the first available logical partition. It will be formatted for use as swap.
> #5 logical 156 MB f swap swap
Select the option to finish partitioning, and continue.
Finish partitioning and write changes to disk Continue
The installer will warn you that you are about to erase your hard drive.
WARNING: This will destroy all data on any partitions ... that are going to be formatted. [...] Write the changes to disks?
Select "Yes", and continue.
Yes Continue
4.10.4 The installer partitions the hard drive
The installer creates the new partitions, formats them and sets the clock. The coloured bars show progress.
Partitions formatting Setting up the clock
4.11 You set up users and passwords
Your new Debian system must have an all-powerful superuser called "root". You must enter a password for user root.
Root password: ****** Re-enter password to verify: ******
Continue
Continue to the next screen. You should normally login to your new system only as a normal user. You must set up a normal user and password now. You can add more users when the installation is complete.
Full name for the new user: Firstname Surname Continue
Continue to the next screen to set the username for the account. This name will be used to login, regulate access to certain files and to define a user area for storing personal work and configuration files called a "home directory".
Username for your account: nickname Continue
Continue to the next screen to set a password for your new normal user.
Choose a password for the new user: ****** Re-enter password to verify: ****** Continue
4.12 The installer installs the base system
The installer fetches and installs files need for the base Debian system from the CD. The coloured bar shows progress. It may take a few minutes.
Installing the base system
4.13 The installer configures the package manager
Debian's Advanced Package Tool (APT) is a system that makes finding and installing software very easy. The installer configures APT with the settings you need. The coloured bar shows progress.
Configuring Apt
The installer may ask you whether you wish to use a network mirror server for supplementary software. It is wise to answer "yes" if you are connected to a network. You can answer "No" if you are installing software only from CD/DVD.
Use a network mirror? Yes or No (see text) Continue
Choose a repository from the list. If you live in the UK, you might choose the following archive mirror server:
United Kingdom Continue ftp.uk.debian.org Continue
You can also configure an HTTP proxy if you use one. If you don't have one, or don't know what this means, leave the HTTP proxy entry blank and continue.
Configuring Apt
The installer tries to access security updates from a repository on the Debian website. This will fail if you are not yet connected to the internet. If you get a failure message, just continue to the next screen. You can enable security updates after installation (eg using the "Synaptic" program for installing software).
Cannot access security updates Continue
4.14 The installer selects and installs software
The installer fetches and installs some of the files needed for the core of a Debian system. The coloured bar shows progress.
Select and install software
4.15 You configure the popularity contest
The popularity contest is software that sends statistics to Debian software developers about the software you use most frequently. Popularity contest needs a network connection. If you do not want to participate at the moment, choose "No" and continue. If you change your mind later, you can reconfigure "popularity-contest" with the "Synaptic" program.
No Continue
4.16 The installer selects and installs more software
The installer fetches and installs more of the files needed for the core of a Debian system. The coloured bar shows progress.
Select and install software
4.17 You choose some software collections to install
You will need more than just the core of the Debian system. For a desktop system (including mouse, menus, taskbar, etc), tick the boxes for Standard system and Desktop environment.
Standard system Desktop environment
If you are installing on a laptop, also tick the box for Laptop.
Laptop
Then continue. You can watch progress with the coloured bar as the installer selects and installs the software.
Continue Select and install software
4.18 You install the Grub bootloader
The bootloader is a little program used by the computer's BIOS to boot your new Debian system.
Installing GRUB boot loader
You normally install the bootloader to the MBR (Master Boot Record). The MBR is a small sector at the beginning of your first hard disc.
Install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record? Yes Continue
The coloured bar shows progress.
Install the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk
4.19 You finish the installation
When the installation is finished, the CDROM is ejected. You can remove the CD and reboot the computer.
Installation complete Continue
Your computer will now boot into the wonderful world of Debian.
5 Comments
If you find any mistakes or you have any ather comments, please add them to this article's discussion page
6 Appendix A: Configure the computer BIOS to boot from CD
Modern computers can boot directly from CDROM, but this feature may not be enabled on your computer. You must check that your BIOS is set to enable booting from CDROM. The BIOS starts you computer and connects it to the keyboard and screen. Then it looks for an operating system, such as Linux or Windows, to start the boot process. You must set CDROM as the "first boot device" so that the BIOS will look for a CDROM before it looks for a hard disc.
Make sure that your computer is switched off. Switch on the computer. Look at the text messages on the screen and find the BIOS "setup" key. In modern computers this is normally the "Del" key. The initial screen message may look something like this:
Press DEL to run Setup
You will only have a few seconds to press the setup key. If you miss it you may have to switch off and try again.
Navigate the BIOS setup menus with the arrow keys. Look for a menu involving the "boot" process. Change the boot device priority so that the CDROM appears as the first device. You should have something like this:
1st Boot Device [CDROM] 2nd Boot Device [Hard Drive]
Save the changes and exit setup. In many BIOSs you can do this by pressing the F10 key. Look for help at the margins of the menu screen.
7 Appendix B: Licence
Copyright (c) 2007 Chris Lale. chrislale AT users DOT berlios DOT de
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license can be found at http://www.fsf.org/copyleft/fdl.html.
Content is available under GNU Free Documentation License 1.2, unless otherwise stated.