Comprehensive Guide: Installing Debian with Netinstall (Graphical & CLI)

Prerequisites
Downloading the Netinstall Image
Creating Bootable Media
Graphical Installation Method
CLI Installation Method
Post-Installation Configuration
Troubleshooting

1. Prerequisites

Before beginning, ensure you have:

A computer with at least 20GB free storage
2GB RAM minimum (4GB recommended for graphical interface)
Stable internet connection
USB drive (4GB minimum)
Debian netinstall ISO file

2. Downloading the Netinstall Image

1. Visit the official Debian download page:

https://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst

2. Choose the appropriate architecture:

- amd64: For most modern 64-bit computers
- i386: For older 32-bit systems

3. Download the small netinstall ISO (approximately 300-500MB)

3. Creating Bootable Media

Windows:

Download Rufus (https://rufus.ie/)
Insert USB drive
Open Rufus and select your USB device
Click “SELECT” and choose the downloaded ISO
Click “START” and use default settings

Linux:

# Identify USB device (be careful - this will erase the device)
lsblk

# Create bootable USB (replace /dev/sdX with your USB device)
sudo dd if=debian-netinst.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

4. Graphical Installation Method

Step 1: Boot from USB

Restart computer and enter BIOS/UEFI (typically F2, F12, DEL, or ESC)
Set USB as first boot device
Save and exit

Step 2: Initial Setup

[Debian Installer Boot Menu]
→ Select "Graphical install" and press Enter

Step 3: Language and Location

Choose language: English
Select your country: United States
Configure keyboard: American English

Step 4: Network Configuration

Hostname: debian-pc (or your preferred name)
Domain name: (leave blank or use local domain)

Step 5: User Accounts

Set up users and passwords:
→ Create root password: (LEAVE BLANK to enable sudo)
→ Create a user account: yourusername
→ Password for new user: (choose secure password)

Important: Skipping root password will automatically configure sudo for your user account.

Step 6: Partitioning

Partitioning method:
→ Guided - use entire disk (recommended for beginners)
→ Select your hard drive
→ All files in one partition (recommended)
→ Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
→ Yes to write changes

Step 7: Package Selection

Software selection:
☑ Debian desktop environment
☑ ... (deselect all)
☑ MATE desktop environment
☑ SSH server
☑ Standard system utilities

Step 8: GRUB Installation

Install GRUB boot loader: Yes
Device for boot loader installation: /dev/sda (usually)

Step 9: Finish Installation

Installation complete → Continue to reboot
Remove installation media when prompted

5. CLI Installation Method (Text-based)

Step 1: Boot and Initial Setup

[Debian Installer Boot Menu]
→ Select "Install" (text mode) and press Enter

Language: English
Country: United States
Keyboard: American English

Step 2: Network Configuration

Hostname: debian-server
Domain name: (leave blank)

Step 3: User Setup

Root password: (PRESS ENTER TO SKIP - this enables sudo)
Full name for new user: Your Name
Username for account: yourusername
Password: (choose secure password)

Step 4: Partitioning

Partitioning method: Guided - use entire disk
Select disk: /dev/sda (or your main disk)
Partitioning scheme: All files in one partition
→ Finish partitioning and write changes
→ Yes to write changes

Step 5: Package Selection

Scan extra installation media: No
Use network mirror: Yes
Debian archive mirror country: United States
Mirror: deb.debian.org
HTTP proxy: (leave blank if not using proxy)

Software selection:
[ ] Debian desktop environment
[ ] ... (spacebar to deselect all)
[*] SSH server
[*] Standard system utilities
→ Continue

Step 6: GRUB Installation

Install GRUB: Yes
Device: /dev/sda

Step 7: Completion

Installation complete → Continue

6. Post-Installation Configuration

Login and Initial Setup

Username: yourusername
Password: (your password)

Adding Root Password After Installation (If Skipped)

If you skipped root password during installation, you can add it later (on the terminal):

# Switch to root (will ask for your user password if sudo is configured)
sudo -i

# Set root password
passwd
Enter new UNIX password: 
Retype new UNIX password: 

# Verify root access
su -

Installing MATE Desktop (CLI method only)

If you used CLI method and want MATE desktop:

# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Install MATE desktop
sudo apt install mate-desktop-environment mate-desktop-environment-extras

# Install display manager (login screen)
sudo apt install lightdm

# Set default desktop environment
echo "exec mate-session" >> ~/.xinitrc

# Reboot to start graphical interface
sudo reboot

SSH Configuration

# Check SSH status
sudo systemctl status ssh

# Enable SSH at boot (if not already enabled)
sudo systemctl enable ssh

# Configure SSH (optional)
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

# Restart SSH service
sudo systemctl restart ssh

System Update

# Update package lists
sudo apt update

# Upgrade installed packages
sudo apt upgrade

# Optional: Full system upgrade
sudo apt full-upgrade

Additional Useful Packages

# Install common utilities
sudo apt install htop neofetch vim curl wget git

# Install network tools
sudo apt install net-tools traceroute

NOTE: If you wish to install multimedia codecs
Visit https://deb-multimedia.org for more info

7. Troubleshooting

Common Issues:

No Internet Connection During Installation

Check network cables
Verify DHCP is working
Try manual network configuration

GRUB Installation Fails

Check disk partitioning
Ensure BIOS/UEFI settings are correct

Black Screen After Installation

Try different display drivers
Check graphics card compatibility

SSH Not Working

# Check firewall settings
sudo ufw status
sudo ufw allow ssh

# Verify SSH service is running
sudo systemctl start ssh

Getting Help

Debian Documentation: https://www.debian.org/doc/
Debian Forums: https://forums.debian.net/
Man pages: man [command]

Conclusion

You now have a fully functional Debian system with MATE desktop environment and SSH access. Remember to:

Keep your system updated regularly
Configure firewall (ufw) for security
Create regular backups
Explore Debian’s extensive package repository

Enjoy your new Debian installation!

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