FactorPad
Build a Better Process

Install Debian Linux on Intel and AMD Hardware using amd64

With a bootable USB and the Debian ISO image, here we highlight the steps involved during the installation.
  1. Overview - Outline the highlights, because there are too many scenarios to cover them all.
  2. Notes - Use nano on the server to explain the installation steps.
  3. Scenarios - Review screens you will see during the installation (which takes longer than 5 minutes).
  4. Up next: SSH - Set up SSH on the server end so it is open for us to log in.
face pic by Paul Alan Davis, CFA
Updated: February 21, 2021
So that is how we will do it. Let's get started.

Outline Back Tip Next

/ factorpad.com / tech / full-stack / install-debian-linux.html


An ad-free and cookie-free website.


How to install Debian Linux from a netinst.iso file on a USB drive

Beginner

Video Tutorial

Videos can also be accessed from our Full Stack Playlist 1 on YouTube.

Install Debian Linux on Intel and AMD hardware using amd64 (4:49)

Code Examples and Video Script

Welcome. Today's question: How do you install Debian Linux on Intel and AMD hardware using amd64?

I'm Paul, and this is getting exciting, we almost have our local playground built, one that'll help us go farther, more quickly.

Step 1 - Overview

Here's the outline. First the background for how we got here, meaning we have the proper Debian installation image for our hardware, and here's mine (a Lenovo ThinkCentre computer), saved on the installation media of choice (a flash USB drive), as covered in the previous two tutorials. There are too many to cover here, so consider this an introduction.

I'll take notes in Linux, covering scenearios and describe the installation screens you're likely to see. And next, we'll cover the secure shell.

Step 2 - Use nano on the server to explain the installation steps

Okay, so here is my local server, after I set it up using the process we will cover here. (Here we take notes in nano).

paul@fullstack:~$ cd notes paul@fullstack:~/notes$ nano video0007.txt

Step 3 - Review screens you will see during the installation

First step

First, select an image for your hardware. There are eight architecture types, offerings for 32 and 64-bit chips, plus different releases 6, 7, and 8 here.

GNU nano 2.2.6 File: video0007.txt Installation 1) Select image for your hardware (tutorial 5) 8 architectures ^G Get Help ^O WriteOut ^R Read File ^Y Prev Page ^K Cut Text ^C Cur Pos ^X Exit ^J Justify ^W Where Is ^V Next Page ^U UnCut Text ^T To Spell

I'm erasing Windows from my Lenovo hardware and installing amd64, designed for Intel and AMD chips.

Second step

Second, create media by taking one of three paths, you can run Debian straight from a storage device, called a Live System, or download an image to CD/DVD, or boot from a USB flash drive, as I am here.

GNU nano 2.2.6 File: video0007.txt Installation 1) Select image for your hardware (tutorial 5) 8 architectures 2) Create media (tutorial 6) live system cd/dvd usb flash drive ^G Get Help ^O WriteOut ^R Read File ^Y Prev Page ^K Cut Text ^C Cur Pos ^X Exit ^J Justify ^W Where Is ^V Next Page ^U UnCut Text ^T To Spell

I started with the net install image (netinst.iso) and made it bootable in tutorial 6 (the previous tutorial).

Third step

Third is the installation.

Because our hardware is likely different, I'll describe what you might see.

GNU nano 2.2.6 File: video0007.txt Installation 1) Select image for your hardware (tutorial 5) 8 architectures 2) Create media (tutorial 6) live system cd/dvd usb flash drive 3) Installation (tutorial 7) boot-up keystroke sequence navigate BIOS/UEFI firmware change boot sequence installation method language time zone keyboard hostname domain name root user partitioning swap partition base system installation mirror system software ^G Get Help ^O WriteOut ^R Read File ^Y Prev Page ^K Cut Text ^C Cur Pos ^X Exit ^J Justify ^W Where Is ^V Next Page ^U UnCut Text ^T To Spell

First, right after it is powered up and before the GUI automaticaly loads, your computer gives you 2 seconds or so to push a specified key (like F1 or F2 commonly) taking you to a Setup menu.

I should mention, there are two boot standards, an older one called BIOS, and the more recent UEFI, since 2014, and found on newer computers. Navigate yours until you find the option to change the boot sequence. Some boot to multiple operating systems this way.

You will want to point the boot sequence to your chosen media device. Then, if you are successful you'll see the Debian logo.

Using the arrow keys select the installation method. Here I selected Install, the basic one, because I prefer everything on the Server to be text-based, opting to use Windows and macOS for my GUI-based needs, on my laptop.

Next, you will set up the language, time zone and keyboard. The hostname is the name of the computer. Mine is fullstack. As identified at the command line and window frame.

Next, domain name for networking and I selected the default, local.

Debian builds in an administrative-only user, called root, requiring a password, and then set up a regular user account for yourself. Mine is paul.

Next is partitioning, and in my case I selected the UEFI mode using the whole hard drive, selecting the guided-entire disk option on one partition. Where prompted I set up an 8GB swap partition matching my RAM size and kicked off the base system installation.

A mirror is next, and it's where Debian will go to download software. Now you will be prompted to select system software, including GUI desktops, and a web server for Apache. In fact, when I point my client browser to the same IP address, it is already set up, and I will show you how to do this in another tutorial.

Also a print and SSH server, which we're using now and other standard system utilities, like python, file, bzip2, info and others will be loaded.

That's it, good luck on your end. One other suggestion is the review the Debian Installation Manual.

Again, your path will likely not match mine exactly, as my playground will look different, but stick with it because it's well worth it in the end.

Step 4 - Up next: SSH

I invite you to stick around here, or jump in for the parts you're interested in as they develop, as we move towards becoming a Data Scientist.

Here is a picture of some of the software we're building on this Linux Server.

And, excitingly, now that our Server is set up, in the next tutorial we'll discuss SSH, which is how I'm using my Windows client to talk to the server.

Have a nice day.


What's Next?

Our journey to Data Science has just begun, follow @factorpad for updates.

Outline Back Tip Next

/ factorpad.com / tech / full-stack / install-debian-linux.html


install debian
install linux
pc linux
debian install
debian jessie install
debian linux
debian server install
linux iso
install linux from USB
debian linux amd64
netinst.iso
linux server install
debian installation plan
linux installation process

A newly-updated free resource. Connect and refer a friend today.