Debian Easy Install

Debian Easy Install.


Okay so first things firstly lets run on over to the Debian site and download the installation image we want.
There are two options, small installation image and large installation image.
http://www.debian.org/distrib/
The choice really is yours, If you go for the small installation image you need to be able to configure the internet connection during the installation process. This is good for those who want a small install with only the things they specify installed as extras.
Or Large installation image which will be easier for an offline install. This will install a lot of packages and some/most of them you will never use. Although this is an easy way for first timers.

Next make back ups. No one likes to do it but its really a smart idea to create a back up especially if you are a beginner.

You can either do write the iso to a disk or to a USB, I personally prefer USB so here are the links to the software I usually use to create bootable linux USBs.
Unetbootin
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
or LILI
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/
Would be a great choice for creating the bootable USB.
The process of installing the iso onto the USB is very easy and I have faith that you will manage it without instruction.

If you prefer to write the iso to a disk that's fine also just choose which ether software you prefer to burn to the disk. Make sure you make the disk an image disk and not a data disk!

Now once the iso has been written to the USB/Disk its time to restart the system and boot into the USB/Disk!
Time to begin!
Now I'm going to write this article in the format of a small installation image (netinstall) as that is the better but slightly trickier way to install Debian. If you have chosen the large installation image (core) do not worry, some of the steps that follow will not appear as you are installing the OS and you can just skip straight passed them.

1. The Installer boot menu will now give you the options for your install. Now the choices will be
Install
(64 bit Install)
Graphical Install
(64 bit Graphical Install)
Advanced Options
Help
As this is a beginner guide I recommend the Graphical Install.

2. Select a Language, Easy enough choose the language you speak and read and proceed!

3. Now select your location. This too is an easy step.

4. Configure the keyboard. All you need to do is select the Keyboard configuration that matches yours.

5. Now you will be asked to configure the network.
First of all you will need to set the hostname, "Debian" would work for the unimaginative out there.
Next it will ask you to set a domain name. You may leave this blank or enter a domain name if available.

6. Set up Users and Passwords. Firstly you will need to set the root password. This password is important so don't forget it!
After you've set the root password the installer will ask you to enter your full name. Feel free not to do so if you wish.
Next you will be required to enter a username in all lower case. Anything you want will do.
Finally you will be required to enter a log in password.

7. Now you will be required to configure the clock. This is another easy step as you just need to select your time zone.

8. Okay so now its time to partition your disk. The easiest way is to select "Guided - use entire disk" but I recommend selecting manual and partitioning the disk yourself. As this is the beginner guide I will presume that Guided - use entire disk is the way to go.
Once this is selected you will need to select the hard drive for partitioning and then select which partitioning scheme to use. I recommend using the separate /home /usr /var /tmp partions scheme.

If you do wish to manually partition your drive this is how I recommend you partition the disk.
Firstly create a root (/) partition of approximately 400MB. set this as a primary partition and ext3.
Next create a usr (/usr) logical partition of about 8 to 10 GB, This should be logical and ext 3.
Create a var (/var) logical partition of about 3.0 GB which should be in ext3.
Create a swap partition this should be logical, about 1.5 GB and should be in swap.
Create a tmp (/tmp) logical partition, about 400 MB in size and ext3
Finally the home (/home) partition should be logical and ext3. This should take up whatever space is left.
If you are dual booting with windows leave the Windows partition as it is.

9. Then Simply click write changes to disk!

10. Confirm you want to write these changes to disk.

11. Now to Configure the package manager.
Choose a Debian archive mirror country. Id recommend your own county.
Now select a Debian archive mirror. Choose one which has the best internet connection for you but if in doubt just use the ftp.us. Debian.org

12. Set up a proxy, This step can be skipped and I would recommend doing so in a beginner set up.

13. You will now have the choice to help the debain community by participating in the package usage survey. It would be nice to click yes here but if you don't want to then don't.

14.  Choose the software to install. Choose the software that applies to you.

15. Okay now its time to Install the GRUB boot loader to the MBR (master boot record) If you are dual booting this (should) give you the option of which OS to jump to on boot. I highly recommend clicking yes and installing the GRUB boot loader to the MBR.

16. From here the Install shall finish off and all that's left to do is to boot into your new OS!

Hope you enjoyed this article and it was of use. Please write a comment id love to hear what you have to think! Good luck with your install.