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21.

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

22.

Load the newly installed system for the first time.

23.

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"/>.

24.

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:

25.

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.

26.

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.

27.

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.

28.

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.

29.

Back Up Your Existing Data!

30.

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.