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(!) ?/Discussion


General questions

Q. How do I install "sid" ?

Keep in mind that sid is the distribution name for unstable. (yes, that's the latest, most cutting-edge "version" of Debian...) http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst, only gives 2 choices: "stable: Etch" and "testing: Lenny".

Q. Why isn't "cutting_edge: sid" listed ?
A1) Just install one of the other releases and then change the file /etc/apt/sources.list, where it says stable or testing, change those words to unstable. Then apt-get update and apt-get -u dist-upgrade - then you have a sid release.
Q. How to "bootstrap from within another Linux distribution" Do you have a pointer ?

..I need to to a ?ZeroDiskInstall, but even a net install seems to require a CD...

A1) have a look at debootstrap or debootstrap

A2) If you have to install many Debian systems, NetworkBooting might be an option for you.

Q. Where can I download the net install image cd for stable/testing/unstable ?

A1) The network install images for stable (etch) can be found at http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/

A2) The network install images for testing (lenny) can be found at http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

A3) There are currently no network install images for unstable. If you want to install unstable, download the image for testing and upgrade to unstable by changing /etc/apt/sources.list
Q. How do I install Gentoo/Redhat/SUSE packages on a Debian based system?
short answer : you don't. (because you don't want to break your system).

long answer : ToDo

Stable questions

Q. Do I need all the ISOs ?

A1) No. You can install using only the first ISO and then configure your system to download software and updates from a debian repository. You can also do a network install using a special small ISO image (usually under 100 MB) or using only a handful of floppies.

A2) Downloading all ISOs is massively wasteful of bandwidth. You're highly unlikely to use any software on the last five ISOs. Each of them contains Debian packages, and they're sorted by popularity. The most popular stuff (like X, gcc, KDE, GNOME) is all on the first ISO.
Q. OK, I have an i386 box and Debian etch CD #1. Now what ?

A1) Put the CD in the drive, and tell your BIOS to boot from CD-ROM. The CD should boot and drop you at a boot: prompt. If you read the screen you will see that you should press F1 for help. Please do that, and actually read the help. You must first choose which kernel you will attempt to boot. This kernel is not only used during the installation, but is also installed onto your hard drive, so you will want to choose carefully.