How to setup a Debian Linux (for Woody distribution) (current version is etch)

Assuming you have a properly partitioned hard disk. If not, use this winimage image to boot up
and run cfdisk to partition the hard disk. You want to create a primary partition of type 83 (Linux ext2)
and make it "bootable" (all these can be done when you invoke cfdisk).
You also want to create a "Linux swap" secondary partition of type 82,
the size of Linux swap partition is recommended to be equal to the amount of RAM on the motherboard.

You can install Debian Linux with a few floppy diskettes if you have the "supported" network card.

You can install Debian Linux from a full Debian CD.

Use one of the following "supported" network cards:
3COM 3c905, D-Link DFE-530TX (via-rhine, DL10030A), Realtek 8139 chipset,
Realtek 8029 chipset (NE2000-clone PCI) ,
Intel EtherExpress Pro/100, Intel Pro/100, Intel/DEC 2114x tulip chipset.
Intel PRO 1000 / MT (giga-bit Ethernet, or "gige") is supported here, but needs more dancing.

On Windows:
Download rawwritewin.exe and diskio.dll to some temporary folder.
If you use IDE hard disk, download "rescue.bin" and "root.bin" and "driver-1.bin" to the above temporary folder from
http://archive.progeny.com/debian/dists/woody/main/disks-i386/current/images-1.44/idepci/
If you use SCSI hard disk, download "rescue.bin" and "root.bin" and "driver-1.bin" to the above temporary folder from
http://archive.progeny.com/debian/dists/woody/main/disks-i386/current/images-1.44/compact/

Create 3 floppy diskettes:
drag and drop "rescue.bin" to rawwritewin.exe to create a "rescue diskette"
drag and drop "root.bin" to rawwritewin.exe to create a "root diskette".
drag and drop "driver-1.bin" to rawwritewin.exe to create a "driver-1 diskette".

If you have a Dell PowerEdge 600SC server, it has a built-in Intel PRO 1000 / MT (gige) Ethernet card,
drag and drop this file: "intel.bin" to rawwritewin.exe to create a "Intel gige driver diskette"

On the computer where you want to install Debian,
insert the "rescue diskette" in drive A or the Debian CD and power up.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

For Dell PowerEdge server with Intel Pro 1000 (gigabit Ethernet, or gige):

• Floppy installation:
  at the stage "Install Kernel and Drivers Modules", select /dev/fd0,
  you will be asked to insert the driver-1 diskette.
  You will be asked "Configure Device Driver Module", at this stage,
  choose "Alternate1 Install Foreign Modules", insert the "Intel gige driver diskette" and answer No to "skip".
  Then, choose "Configure Device Driver Modules"
  choose "net" and select the "e1000" driver.
• CD installation:
  when asked "Configure Device Driver Modules"
  choose "Alternate1 Install Foreign Modules", insert the "Intel gige driver diskette" and answer No to "skip".
  Then, choose "Configure Device Driver Modules"
  (if "problems" appears, see this page and come back to "Alternate 1 Install Foreign Modules")
  choose "net" and select the "e1000" driver.

If asked about "Installation Medium", choose Network,
choose DHCP (for less experienced users) or fixed IP (for more experienced users).
When asked about "Choose Host Name", give it a name, it will be the name of the server on your network.
When asked about "Apt access" method, choose "http".
When the Debian Task Installer pops up, choose nothing, tab to the "Finish" button.
When asked about "exim", default answers are OK, except "user account", give it a proper username

Then,
apt-get install  gcc g++  m4 make automake bison file gdb gettext patch libncurses5-dev

these are optional packages:
apt-get install less flip fakeroot bin86 kernel-package bzip2 mc ncftp

Update some packages for security patches.

apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

Links:

Package Management tools:
base-config, tasksel, dselect, dpkg, apt-get  dpkg --get-selections  dpkg-reconfigure

Newbie Doc

Source of rawwritewin.exe

© 2001-2007 Nicholas Fong,  Burnaby, B.C., Canada

Last revision date:  June 14, 2007