Installing Debian Linux for the first time

[gugafan05]

I am trying to install Debian Linux for the first time. I am downloading the files via this location: ftp://debian.cites.uiuc.edu/pub/debian-cd/ The problem is that I do not know which folders I should download from. Can someone please tell me which folders and what files I download at this location. Do I download from all of them? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !


download CD-1 .iso and CD-2 .iso from here. you can install Debian from first CD only. all other CDs have packages that you can download later on.

if you have fast internet connection ( and patience ), download DVD .iso images from here.

[gugafan05]

Thanks a bunch.

[gugafan05]

Is this the right set of files even though I am running on a non 64 bit amd processor?

[devils casper]

yes. those .iso images are for 32bit machines ( i386 ).

there is no any performance difference in 32bit and 64bit OSes. one should install 32bit OS in 64bit machines. ( check reasons here ). i posted link of 32bit .iso images coz of that reason only.

[gugafan05]

Thanks, man. I am so glad that there are nice people like you who will spend the time to respond to messages of newbies like me. I just want you to know that I really appreciate it.

[devils casper]

You are Welcome gugafan05 ! glad to help you.

[gugafan05]

I tried to install using the debian dvd iso image 1 and a message appeared saying could not detect mount CD-ROM /etc. So I tried to burn a debian cd iso image 1 cd and the computer could not read it. Any suggestions or help? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Agent-X]

Are you using a DVD drive? What kind of drive are you using?
Could you list the specifications of your drive?
Otherwise, could you list the type of computer you are using?

And as always, are you sure you burned the image onto the disc and not the .iso file itself?

[gugafan05]

I think you have just told me my problem. I burned just the iso file onto the disc. Do you know how I actually burn the image. Btw, I have a DVD-ROM and a CD-ROM. I can't write DVDs so I used my brothers computer to do that, but I used my own to write the CDs. I have tried both the CDs and the DVDs. The DVD actually loaded Debian but then prompted the error message ("could not detect mount CD-ROM") during installation causing me to have to quit. And the Cds just didn't even load. Any help is greatly appreciated. Btw, thanks for your help already.