First "real" Debian install.

[RyanGreener]

Hi everyone, I am going to attempt to install the "real" Debian for the first time. I don't have access to DVD CDs and the biggest USB Stick I have is 1GB. I'd like to do a netinstall, but I'm not sure how many/what packages I would need. Also, I've looked at downloading CDs, but there are a LOT of them. I read that they prioritize the most important/popular programs in CD 1, and as it goes on the programs become less important. Would CD1 be a good enough base system with graphics/network access (wireless)?

I'm also interested in upgrading the "stable" to "unstable" or "testing" when I eventually get it onto my laptop. Any comments on that?

 

[lxskllr]

If you have a hardwire net connection, net install is probably the best way to go, but it won't work with wireless. They also have some live CDs, some(all?) of which should fit on a 1gb drive...
(i386)
http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/i386/bt-hybrid/

After installing stable, just change the repos to the testing, or unstable repos. Be sure to install the package apt-listbugs first. That'll give you warning of packages that may break your install, and you can put them off until they're fixed. Running testing or unstable requires more diligence on your part for updating, but as long as you read the notes, you shouldn't have any issues.

You can install testing or unstable at first install, but I've never done it like that. I prefer starting with a known working system, and then attempt to break it later :^D

 

[RyanGreener]

I have access to an ethernet connection so I'll attempt a netinstall. I just downloaded the netinstall ISO which is around 195MB. Is it possible to use unetbootin to get this onto my USB stick then install Debian through there? I've never done a netinstall before....so I'm wondering: What are the main packages I'll need for a base system for basic functionality? I don't know exactly what a netinstall includes by default, but I basically just need wireless/update+package manager/web browser.

 

[lxskllr]

I honestly don't remember what it includes. I haven't done it in awhile. I /think/ my last install was made from a live image, but I can't remember. You may need some proprietary firmware for your wireless. Debian uses a completely free kernel now, so any proprietary packages will have to be bolted on.

The easiest way is to pick a desktop environment. That'll install most of the stuff you need to have a functional system from the start, instead of picking all your applications a la carte. I like Xfce, but that's personal preference. If you install something that isn't Gnome, make sure you have a way of manipulating your wireless. wicd is a good package. It /should/ be installed with your DE of choice, but it wasn't when I installed Xfce after Gnome, and it made things a PITA until I got it on there.

I'm not sure about the netinstall from usb. That should work, but I don't think that's how I did it. Use unetbootin to get the image on the flash drive.

 

[RyanGreener]

I honestly don't remember what it includes. I haven't done it in awhile. I /think/ my last install was made from a live image, but I can't remember. You may need some proprietary firmware for your wireless. Debian uses a completely free kernel now, so any proprietary packages will have to be bolted on.

The easiest way is to pick a desktop environment. That'll install most of the stuff you need to have a functional system from the start, instead of picking all your applications a la carte. I like Xfce, but that's personal preference. If you install something that isn't Gnome, make sure you have a way of manipulating your wireless. wicd is a good package. It /should/ be installed with your DE of choice, but it wasn't when I installed Xfce after Gnome, and it made things a PITA until I got it on there.

I'm not sure about the netinstall from usb. That should work, but I don't think that's how I did it. Use unetbootin to get the image on the flash drive.

A live image is basically those CDs that are right under 700 MB, right? I saw those but there are about 13 of those CDs. If I'm correct, you installed it from the CD1? (The first CD)

EDIT: Just looked at your link. Just realized they're small because they're torrents. I'll take a look at them now.

 

[lxskllr]

A live image is basically those CDs that are right under 700 MB, right? I saw those but there are about 13 of those CDs. If I'm correct, you installed it from the CD1? (The first CD)

EDIT: Just looked at your link. Just realized they're small because they're torrents. I'll take a look at them now.

No, look at the link I posted above. That link is for the 32bit images. Pick the one with the desktop environment you like, and it should be similar to any other Linux install. I never used the "full" Debian install method. The number of discs it included was intimidating, and like you, I didn't quite understand how it worked.

Here's the link for the 64bit images...

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/bt-hybrid/

 

[RyanGreener]

No, look at the link I posted above. That link is for the 32bit images. Pick the one with the desktop environment you like, and it should be similar to any other Linux install. I never used the "full" Debian install method. The number of discs it included was intimidating, and like you, I didn't quite understand how it worked.

Here's the link for the 64bit images...

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/bt-hybrid/

Yeah, I'm downloading the 32bit XFCE as we speak. Thanks for your help!

 

[RyanGreener]

Ok I've installed the system and everything is mostly setup but WICD can't detect any wireless networks. When I first installed it on the LiveCD, it asked me for a network, etc. and I input our network/password and the wireless was working. Any ideas on what I should do now? I still have access to the internet via ethernet. Should I upgrade the kernel (as the kernel is a bit old)? Not sure what to do at this point. The main issue I've always had with this laptop installing Debian based distros is that I could never find a wireless network. When I did a netinstall with Ubuntu, once I installed "Network Manager" (or whatever Ubuntu uses as it's wireless manager, not WICD) I could find wireless easy, so maybe this is the solution?

 

[lxskllr]

I'm a bit of a dummy, so you'll have to bear with me... Is wpasupplicant installed? If not, try installing that and see if it helps.

 

[RyanGreener]

Oddly enough, the wireless works even though it says "No Network Connection"......this is very weird.

WPASupplicant is installed.

 

[lxskllr]

Dunno what's going on there. Is wicd monitoring the correct interface? It should probably be wlan0 assuming you have only 1 wireless interface. I don't remember if I had to set anything up, or not. It may need some tweaking to get working right.

 

[irishScott]

Dunno what's going on there. Is wicd monitoring the correct interface? It should probably be wlan0 assuming you have only 1 wireless interface. I don't remember if I had to set anything up, or not. It may need some tweaking to get working right.

That would be my first guess too. Back when I was messing around with Vector Linux Wicd defaulted to monitoring my laptop's ethernet card.

 

[Jodell88]

What's the wireless card you're using? I have a feeling it's Broadcom.