Loading Debian on a ubuntu box

[Bobbio]

After 2 months of numerous different suggestions to recover my pw and un I have finally been able to get into my ubuntu server. I had installed the software last year but had to set aside as work got busy.

Reading the bickering that goes on in their forums I have decided for jump ship and head over to the debian side. After much research as well.

Is there a way to directly download and install the debian server software on to my empty (except for the os) server? I am connected to the net and am running a dell p4 box w/ 500 g drive. There is no data on the disk but the os.


Thanks,
Bob

[GNU-Fan]

From within Ubuntu repartition the drive so that you have an additional root partition where your new OS will go.

Then format that partition and mount it.
Next, use debootstrap to shove the basic files on that partition.
Finally, adjust the bootloader so that it starts the new OS instead of the old one.

Reboot and cross your fingers.
From within Debian, remove the old Ubuntu partition and add it to Debian.

[Bobbio]

Thank you! But being a newbie is there a spot I can find info on how to do the partitioning?

[whych]

Depending on what you want to do with the server, I would say download the basic debian cd iso and partition your disk to a swap file/partition and around 8-10 GB for root. use the rest for /home.