Which Debian Do I Select?

[carlwill]

Hello -

I am wanting to get Debian Linux installed and running on my main PC system. I know the 3 stages of Debian but I have other variables too I need help with. I am looking at installing "Testing" "Etch" on my system.

My System

- AMD 64 3800+
- 1GB of PC3200 DDR RAM
- Nvidia 7800GTX Video Card
- NF4 Chipset Motherboard
- Nvidia Onboard NIC
- Western Digital S-ATA 400GB Grive
- Lite-On SOHC Optical Drive

----------------------------------------------------------

My question is I don't know if I should download and install a 64 bit version of Debian and or just stick with the plain old 32 bit version as this may run smoother. If you guys don't mind helping me find a version of Debian to download and install, that would really be cool. I prefer the "Net - Install" method that way I don't get out dated packages from an old ISO image. I really just don't know where to go so I am asking for your assistance.

Thanks in advance.

- Carlos <Carlwill>

[zOrK]

Hi carwill! i would recommend to you use the 64bits version, it should work nice , fast & stable! .. and.. i recommend to you etch!

[carlwill]

Do you recommend I use this ISO LINK?

[eerok]

I've had good experiences with the debian net install; the only irritant I've encountered was once when the mirror I chose was down, but I just rebooted and used another one. This is pretty rare.

Make sure your nic is not too exotic as well -- if you can't get the net up, that pretty much kills your net install.

It doesn't matter whether you use the testing or the sarge net install disk -- the sarge one allows you to choose your branch. I used a sarge net install disk to install etch with no problem.

In any case, try the disk you mentioned; good luck with it

[carlwill]

Why would it not matter if I use the sarge or etch ISO to install testing? re you saying that as long as I boot with a stable net install disk and use all "testing" sources in my /etc/source.list, I will be fine?

[antidrugue]

Why would it not matter if I use the sarge or etch ISO to install testing? re you saying that as long as I boot with a stable net install disk and use all "testing" sources in my /etc/source.list, I will be fine?

Yop, normally it's the way to do it (if you want to install "Etch") would be to download the ISO Netinstall:
http://cdimage.debian.org/pub/cdimag...64-netinst.iso

During the installation, you can choose the repositories you want: Sarge, Etch or Sid.

Anyway the important thing is to have a kernel adapted to AMD64 (you could always compile one yourself after the install), so make sure you install the right kernel to get maximum performance.

This is would be a good start (it's not for AMD64, but it's good info):
http://www.atworkonline.it/~bibe/sarge
http://www.atworkonline.it/~bibe/etch

[eerok]

as long as I boot with a stable net install disk and use all "testing" sources in my /etc/source.list, I will be fine?

Yes. I mention that because the etch disk is beta, and it's possible you may have a problem with it. I've installed both sarge and etch from the sarge net install. However, I don't know anything about 64-bit support with sarge.

The main practical difference between the sarge and etch disks is the version of the kernel, but since I always compile my own eventually anyway, this didn't matter to me.

One thing, though: my box choked on the default 2.4 kernel on the sarge disk, so I booted into the install with the "expert26" parameter. You might want to do the same if you end up using the sarge disk.

[antidrugue]

Wow, I just found this, so full of useful tricks:
http://paul.hahn.name/Articles/InstallRepDir/