Translations by Changwoo Ryu

Before Installing &debian;

This chapter deals with the preparation for installing Debian before you even boot the installer. This includes backing up your data, gathering information about your hardware, and locating any necessary information.

Overview of the Installation Process

First, just a note about re-installations. With Debian, a circumstance that will require a complete re-installation of your system is very rare; perhaps mechanical failure of the hard disk would be the most common case.

Many common operating systems may require a complete installation to be performed when critical failures take place or for upgrades to new OS versions. Even if a completely new installation isn't required, often the programs you use must be re-installed to operate properly in the new OS.

Under &debian;, it is much more likely that your OS can be repaired rather than replaced if things go wrong. Upgrades never require a wholesale installation; you can always upgrade in-place. And the programs are almost always compatible with successive OS releases. If a new program version requires newer supporting software, the Debian packaging system ensures that all the necessary software is automatically identified and installed. The point is, much effort has been put into avoiding the need for re-installation, so think of it as your very last option. The installer is <emphasis>not</emphasis> designed to re-install over an existing system.

Here's a road map for the steps you will take during the installation process.

Back up any existing data or documents on the hard disk where you plan to install.

Gather information about your computer and any needed documentation, before starting the installation.

Create partitionable space for Debian on your hard disk.

Locate and/or download the installer software and any specialized driver files your machine requires (except Debian CD users).

Set up boot tapes/floppies/USB sticks, or place boot files (most Debian CD users can boot from one of the CDs).

Boot the installation system.

Select the installation language.

Activate the ethernet network connection, if available.

Configure one network interface.

Open an ssh connection to the new system.

Attach one or more DASDs (Direct Access Storage Device).

Create and mount the partitions on which Debian will be installed.

Watch the automatic download/install/setup of the <firstterm>base system</firstterm>.

Install a <firstterm>boot loader</firstterm> which can start up &debian; and/or your existing system.

Load the newly installed system for the first time.

For &arch-title; you have the option of using <phrase arch="x86">a</phrase> <phrase arch="powerpc">an experimental</phrase> graphical version of the installation system. For more information about this graphical installer, see <xref linkend="graphical"/>.

If you have problems during the installation, it helps to know which packages are involved in which steps. Introducing the leading software actors in this installation drama:

The installer software, <classname>debian-installer</classname>, is the primary concern of this manual. It detects hardware and loads appropriate drivers, uses <classname>dhcp-client</classname> to set up the network connection, runs <classname>debootstrap</classname> to install the base system packages, and runs <classname>tasksel</classname> to allow you to install certain additional software. Many more actors play smaller parts in this process, but <classname>debian-installer</classname> has completed its task when you load the new system for the first time.

To tune the system to your needs, <classname>tasksel</classname> allows you to choose to install various predefined bundles of software like a Web server or a Desktop environment.

One important option during the installation is whether or not to install a graphical desktop environment, consisting of the X Window System and one of the available graphical desktop environments. If you choose not to select the <quote>Desktop environment</quote> task, you will only have a relatively basic, command line driven system. Installing the Desktop environment task is optional because it requires a fairly large amount of disk space, and because many &debian; systems are servers which don't really have any need for a graphical user interface to do their job.

Just be aware that the X Window System is completely separate from <classname>debian-installer</classname>, and in fact is much more complicated. Installation and troubleshooting of the X Window System is not within the scope of this manual.

Back Up Your Existing Data!

Before you start, make sure to back up every file that is now on your system. If this is the first time a non-native operating system has been installed on your computer, it's quite likely you will need to re-partition your disk to make room for &debian;. Anytime you partition your disk, you run a risk of losing everything on the disk, no matter what program you use to do it. The programs used in installation are quite reliable and most have seen years of use; but they are also quite powerful and a false move can cost you. Even after backing up, be careful and think about your answers and actions. Two minutes of thinking can save hours of unnecessary work.

If you are creating a multi-boot system, make sure that you have the distribution media of any other present operating systems on hand. Especially if you repartition your boot drive, you might find that you have to reinstall your operating system's boot loader, or in many cases the whole operating system itself and all files on the affected partitions.

With the exception of the BVM and Motorola VMEbus computers, the only supported installation method for m68k systems is booting from a local disk or floppy using an AmigaOS/TOS/MacOS-based bootstrap, for these machines you will need the original operating system in order to boot Linux. In order to boot Linux on the BVM and Motorola VMEbus machines you will need the <quote>BVMBug</quote> or <quote>16xBug</quote> boot ROMs.

Information You Will Need

Documentation

Installation Manual