Debian Download Live: How to Try and Install Debian from a USB Drive
Debian is one of the most popular and respected Linux distributions in the world. It is known for its stability, security, versatility, and adherence to free software principles. But how can you try it out without installing it on your hard drive? And how can you install it if you like it? The answer is Debian Live.
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In this article, we will explain what Debian Live is, how to download it, how to create a bootable USB drive with it, how to boot from it, how to try it, and how to install it. By following these steps, you will be able to experience Debian on your own computer without affecting your existing system.
What is Debian?
Before we dive into Debian Live, let's briefly review what Debian is and why you might want to use it.
A free and open-source operating system
Debian is an operating system that consists of free and open-source software. This means that you can use it without paying any fees, modify it according to your needs, and share it with others. Debian is also developed by a community of volunteers who collaborate over the Internet. You can join them if you want to contribute to this project.
A stable and secure Linux distribution
Debian is based on the Linux kernel, which is a core component that manages the hardware and software resources of your computer. On top of that, Debian provides a set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. These include a graphical user interface (GUI), a package manager (APT), and other tools that make it easy to manage thousands of software packages on your system.
Debian is also known for its stability and security. It has a rigorous testing process that ensures that only well-tested and bug-free packages are included in its stable releases. It also provides regular security updates for its packages during their lifetimes. You can rely on Debian for running critical Continuing the article: A versatile and flexible system for various devices and architectures
Debian is not limited to one type of device or one type of processor. It can run on desktops, laptops, servers, embedded devices, smartphones, tablets, and more. It also supports a wide range of architectures, such as 64-bit PC (amd64), 32-bit PC (i386), ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and IBM S/390. You can choose the flavor and the architecture that suits your needs best.
What is Debian Live?
Debian Live is a special version of Debian that can be used without installing it on the hard drive. It is a self-contained system that runs entirely from a CD, DVD, or USB key. You can use it to try Debian before installing it, or to install Debian from the live system itself.
A self-contained live system that can boot from a CD, DVD or USB key
Debian Live contains a minimal Debian system that includes a graphical user interface (GUI), a web browser, a text editor, a terminal emulator, and some other basic applications. It also includes some tools for system administration, such as GParted, Synaptic, and the Debian Installer. The live system does not modify any files on the hard drive, unless you explicitly choose to do so.
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A way to try Debian without installing it on the hard drive
Debian Live is ideal for testing Debian on your computer without affecting your existing system. You can boot from the live media and explore the Debian environment without making any permanent changes. You can also test the compatibility of your hardware with Debian and see how well it performs. If you encounter any problems or have any questions, you can use the live system to access online documentation and support forums.
A method to install Debian from the live system using Calamares Installer
Debian Live also provides an easy way to install Debian on your hard drive. Starting from Debian 10 Buster, the live images contain the end-user-friendly Calamares Installer, a distribution-independent installer framework that guides you through the installation process step by step. You can launch the installer from the desktop or the menu and follow the instructions on the screen. You can choose your location, timezone, username, password, partition scheme, and more. The installer will copy the necessary files from the live system to your hard drive and configure your new Debian system.
How to Download Debian Live?
If you want to use Debian Live, you need to download an ISO image file that contains the live system. An ISO image file is a single file that contains all the data of a CD or DVD. You can then write this file to a blank CD or DVD, or to a USB key, and use it to boot your computer.
Choose a flavor and an architecture
The first step is to choose which flavor and which architecture of Debian Live you want to download. A flavor is a variant of Debian Live that comes with a different desktop environment and a different set of applications. For example, you can choose between GNOME, KDE, LXDE, Xfce, Cinnamon, and MATE flavors. A desktop environment is a collection of software that provides a graphical interface for your system. It includes elements such as menus, icons, panels, wallpapers, widgets, etc. Each desktop environment has its own look and feel, features, and performance.
An architecture is a type of processor that your computer uses. As mentioned before, Debian supports various architectures, such as 64-bit PC (amd64), 32-bit PC (i386), ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and IBM S/390. You need to choose the architecture that matches your computer's processor. If you are not sure which architecture you have, you can use a tool like CPU-Z or lscpu to find out.
You can find a list of available flavors and architectures for Debian Live on the official website. You can also read more about each flavor and each architecture on the Debian wiki. Choose the one that appeals to you most and suits your hardware best. Continuing the article: Download the ISO image file from the official website or a mirror site
Once you have chosen your flavor and your architecture, you can download the ISO image file from the official website or from one of the mirror sites. A mirror site is a copy of the official website that is hosted on a different server, usually in a different location. Using a mirror site can speed up your download and reduce the load on the official server.
To download the ISO image file, you need to find the link that corresponds to your flavor and your architecture. For example, if you want to download the GNOME flavor for the 64-bit PC architecture, you need to find the link that says \"debian-live-10.10.0-amd64-gnome.iso\". The number 10.10.0 indicates the version of Debian Live, which is based on Debian 10 Buster. The letters amd64 indicate the architecture, and the word GNOME indicates the flavor.
Click on the link and save the file to your computer. Depending on your internet speed and the size of the file, this may take some time. The size of the file varies depending on the flavor and the architecture, but it is usually between 2 GB and 3 GB.
Verify the integrity and authenticity of the downloaded file
After downloading the ISO image file, it is recommended that you verify its integrity and authenticity. This means that you check that the file is not corrupted or tampered with during the download process. To do this, you need to compare the checksum of the downloaded file with the checksum provided by Debian. A checksum is a unique string of characters that is generated from a file using a mathematical algorithm. If two files have the same checksum, they are identical.
To verify the integrity and authenticity of the downloaded file, you need to follow these steps:
Download the SHA256SUMS and SHA256SUMS.sign files from the same directory where you downloaded the ISO image file. These files contain the checksums and signatures for all the ISO image files in that directory.
Verify the signature of the SHA256SUMS file using GnuPG, a free software for encryption and digital signatures. You need to import the Debian CD signing key and then run this command in a terminal: gpg --verify SHA256SUMS.sign SHA256SUMS. If the verification is successful, you should see a message like this: gpg: Good signature from "Debian CD signing key <debian-cd@lists.debian.org>". This means that the SHA256SUMS file is authentic and signed by Debian.
Calculate the checksum of the downloaded ISO image file using a tool like sha256sum, which is available on most Linux systems. You need to run this command in a terminal: sha256sum debian-live-10.10.0-amd64-gnome.iso. Replace debian-live-10.10.0-amd64-gnome.iso with the name of your ISO image file. This command will output a string of characters that is the checksum of your file.
Compare the checksum of your file with the checksum in the SHA256SUMS file. You can use a tool like diff or simply open both files in a text editor and look for differences. If both checksums are identical, your file is intact and matches the original file from Debian.
If you encounter any errors or discrepancies during this process, you should delete your downloaded file and try to download it again from another source. Do not use a corrupted or modified file to create a bootable USB drive or to install Debian on your hard drive. Continuing the article: How to Create a Debian Live USB Drive?
Now that you have downloaded and verified the ISO image file, you need to create a bootable USB drive with it. A bootable USB drive is a removable storage device that contains an operating system that can be used to start your computer. Creating a bootable USB drive is easy and convenient, as it does not require any special hardware or software. You just need a USB drive with enough space and a tool to write the ISO image file to it.
Use a tool like Etcher or Rufus to write the ISO image file to the USB drive
There are many tools that can help you create a bootable USB drive, but we will recommend two of them: Etcher and Rufus. Etcher is a cross-platform and user-friendly tool that can write any ISO image file to any USB drive. Rufus is a Windows-only and slightly more advanced tool that can write various types of image files to various types of USB drives. You can choose the one that suits your preferences and your operating system.
To use Etcher, you need to download it from its official website and install it on your computer. Then, you need to launch it and follow these steps:
Select the ISO image file that you downloaded by clicking on \"Select image\".
Select the USB drive that you want to use by clicking on \"Select target\". Make sure you choose the right one, as all the data on it will be erased.
Click on \"Flash!\" and wait for the process to complete. You may need to enter your administrator password or confirm some prompts.
To use Rufus, you need to download it from its official website and run it on your computer. You don't need to install it, as it is a portable application. Then, you need to follow these steps:
Insert the USB drive that you want to use and select it from the \"Device\" dropdown menu. Make sure you choose the right one, as all the data on it will be erased.
Select \"Disk or ISO image\" from the \"Boot selection\" dropdown menu and click on \"SELECT\". Then, browse to the ISO image file that you downloaded and open it.
Leave the other options as they are, unless you know what you are doing. You can change the volume label if you want.
Click on \"START\" and wait for the process to complete. You may need to confirm some prompts or warnings.
Make sure the USB drive is bootable and has enough space
After writing the ISO image file to the USB drive, you should check that the USB drive is bootable and has enough space for your needs. To check if the USB drive is bootable, you can use a tool like Bootice, which can show you the partition table and the boot sector of your USB drive. You should see that your USB drive has one partition with a FAT32 file system and a boot flag. You should also see that your USB drive has a valid boot sector with a GRUB bootloader.
To check if the USB drive has enough space, you can use a tool like Explorer or File Manager, which can show you the capacity and the free space of your USB drive. You should see that your USB drive has at least 4 GB of capacity and at least 1 GB of free space. The free space is important if you want to use the persistence feature of Debian Live, which allows you to save your changes and settings across reboots. To use this feature, you need to create a persistent partition or file on your USB drive with a tool like GParted or mkusb.
Safely eject the USB drive from the computer
The last step is to safely eject the USB drive from the computer before unplugging it. This is to prevent any data loss or corruption that may occur if you remove the USB drive while it is still in use. To safely eject the USB drive, you can use a tool like Safely Remove Hardware or Eject, which can show you a list of removable devices connected to your computer. You should see your USB drive in the list and click on it to eject it. You should see a message that says that it is safe to remove the device.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a Debian Live USB drive that can be used to try and install Debian on any computer. Continuing the article: How to Boot from a Debian Live USB Drive?
Now that you have created a Debian Live USB drive, you need to boot your computer from it. This means that you tell your computer to start from the USB drive instead of the hard drive or any other device. To do this, you need to access the BIOS or the boot menu of your computer and change the boot order or select the USB drive as the first boot option.
Plug the USB drive into the computer you want to use Debian on
The first step is to plug the USB drive into the computer that you want to use Debian on. You can use any USB port that is available on your computer, but it is recommended that you use a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port for better performance and compatibility. You can also use a USB hub or an adapter if you need to.
Make sure that your computer is turned off before plugging in the USB drive. If your computer is already on, you need to shut it down or restart it.
Restart the computer and enter the BIOS or boot menu
The next step is to restart the computer and enter the BIOS or the boot menu. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a program that controls the basic functions of your computer, such as the hardware configuration, the boot order, and the system settings. The boot menu is a screen that allows you to choose which device to boot from without changing the BIOS settings.
To enter the BIOS or the boot menu, you need to press a specific key or a combination of keys during the startup process. The key or keys vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your computer, but they are usually one of these: F1, F2, F10, F12, Esc, Del, or Enter. You should see a message on the screen that tells you which key or keys to press. For example, you may see something like this: Press F12 to enter boot menu or Press Del to enter setup.
If you don't see any message or if you miss the timing, you may need to restart your computer and try again. You can also consult your computer's manual or website for more information.
Select the USB drive as the first boot option and save the changes
Once you enter the BIOS or the boot menu, you need to select the USB drive as the first boot option and save the changes. This will tell your computer to start from the USB drive instead of any other device.
If you are using the BIOS, you need to navigate to the section that deals with the boot order or the boot priority. You can use the arrow keys, the tab key, and the enter key to move around and select options. You should see a list of devices that are available for booting, such as HDD (hard disk drive), CD/DVD (optical drive), USB (universal serial bus), etc. You need to move the USB device to the top of the list using the + or - keys or another key that is indicated on the screen. You also need to make sure that your BIOS supports USB booting and that it is enabled.
If you are using the boot menu, you just need to select the USB device from the list of options using the arrow keys and Continuing the article: the enter key. You don't need to change any BIOS settings or save any changes.
After selecting the USB drive as the first boot option, you need to save the changes and exit the BIOS or the boot menu. You can do this by pressing a key or a combination of keys that is indicated on the screen. For example, you may see something like this: Press F10 to save and exit or Press Esc to exit.
Your computer will then restart and boot from the USB drive.
How to Try Debian Live?
Once you boot from the USB drive, you will see a boot menu that gives you some options to start Debian Live. You can use the arrow keys and the enter key to choose an option. You can also press the tab key to edit the boot parameters if you need to.
Choose a language and a keyboard layout at the boot menu
The first option that you will see is to choose a language for the live system. You can use the arrow keys to scroll through the list of languages and press enter to select one. The language that you choose will affect the interface, the keyboard layout, and the locale of the live system.
The second option that you will see is to choose a keyboard layout for the live system. You can use the arrow keys to scroll through the list of keyboard layouts and press enter to select one. The keyboard layout that you choose will affect how your keyboard works and how you type characters on the screen.
Select "Start Debian Live" or "Start Debian Live (failsafe)" if you have problems
The third option that you will see is to start Debian Live with the default settings. This option will load the live system with the graphical user interface (GUI) and the applications that are included in your flavor. You can press enter to select this option and wait for the live system to load.
If you have any problems with this option, such as a blank screen, a frozen screen, or a kernel panic, you can try the fourth option, which is to start Debian Live with some failsafe settings. This option will load the live system with a lower resolution, a basic video driver, and some other parameters that may help with compatibility issues. You can press enter to select this option and see if it works better.
Explore the desktop environment and the applications available
After choosing an option to start Debian Live, you will see a splash screen with a progress bar that shows the loading process. When it is done, you will see the desktop environment of your flavor. A desktop environment is a collection of software that provides a graphical interface for your system. It includes elements such as menus, icons, panels, wallpapers, widgets, etc. Each desktop environment has its own look and feel, features, and performance.
You can explore the desktop environment and see what it offers. You can access the menu by clicking on the icon in the corner or by pressing a key combination (usually Ctrl+Esc or Alt+F1). You can launch applications by clicking on their icons or by searching for their names. You can switch between applications by clicking on their windows or by pressing a key combination (usually Alt+Tab or Ctrl+Alt+Tab). You can close applications by clicking on Continuing the article: the X button or by pressing a key combination (usually Alt+F4 or Ctrl+Q). You can also customize the desktop environment by changing the settings, the theme, the wallpaper, the widgets, etc.
You can also explore the applications that are available on the live system. You will find a variety of applications for different purposes, such as web browsing, email, office, multimedia, games, etc. You can use these applications to test the functionality and performance of Debian Live. You can also install more applications from the Debian repositories using the package manager (APT) or the graphical interface (Synaptic or Software Center).
How to Install Debian from Debian Live?
If you like Debian Live and want to install it on your hard drive, you can do so easily using the Calamares Installer. Calamares is a distribution-independent installer framework that guides you through the installation process step by step. You can launch the installer from the desktop or the menu and follow the instructions on the screen.
Double-click on the "Install Debian" icon on the desktop or launch it from the menu
The first step is to launch the installer. You can do this by double-clicking on the "Install Debian" icon on the desktop or by launching it from the menu. You will see a welcome screen that shows you some information about Debian and Calamares. You can also choose a language for the installer from the dropdown menu.
Follow the steps of the Calamares Installer, such as choosing a location, a timezone, a username, a password, and a partition scheme
The next step is to follow the steps of the Calamares Installer. You will see a series of screens that ask you to provide some information and make some choices for your installation. You can use the back and next buttons to navigate through the screens. You can also cancel the installation at any time by clicking on the quit button.
Some of the screens that you will see are:
Location: This screen asks you to choose your location from a map or a list. Your location will affect your timezone, your locale, and your keyboard layout.
Keyboard: This screen asks you to choose your keyboard layout from a list or a preview. Your keyboard layout will affect how your keyboard works and how you type characters on the screen.
Users: This screen asks you to create a user account for your new Debian system. You need to provide a username, a password, and an optional hostname (the name of your computer on the network). You can also choose whether to use the same password for the administrator account (root) and whether to log in automatically or not.
Partitions: This screen asks you to choose how to partition your hard drive for your new Debian system. Partitioning is dividing your hard drive into sections that can be used for different purposes, such as storing files, swapping memory, or booting. You can choose between three options: erase disk (use the entire disk for Debian), replace a partition (use an existing partition for Debian), or manual partitioning (create and edit partitions yourself). You can also choose whether to use encryption or LVM (logical volume management) for your partitions.
Summary: This screen shows you a summary of your choices and asks you to confirm them before proceeding with ^]^, its forums, or its IRC channels. You can also ask questions or share your feedback on this article in the comment section below.
We hope that you have enjoyed this article and that you have learned something new about Debian Live. Thank you for reading and happy Debian-ing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Debian Live:
What are the differences between Debian Live and Debian Installer?
Debian Live and Debian Installer are two different ways to install Debian on your hard drive. Debian Live is a self-contained live system that can boot from a CD, DVD, or USB key and that can also be used to install Debian using the Calamares Installer. Debian Installer is a dedicated installation system that can boot from a CD, DVD, USB key, or network and that can install Debian using the Debian Installer. Both methods can install the same Debian system on your hard drive, but they have some differences in terms of features, options, and user interface.
Can I use Debian Live without installing it on the hard drive?
Yes, you can use Debian Live without installing it on the hard drive. You can boot from the live media and use the live system as long as you want. You can also save your changes and settings across reboots by using the persistence feature of Debian Live, which requires a persistent partition or file on your USB drive. However, using Debian Live without installing it on the hard drive has some limitations, such as slower performance, less disk space, and less security. If you want to use Debian as your main operating system, it is recommended that you install it on your hard drive.
Can I install other Linux distributions from Debian Live?
No, you cannot install other Linux distributions from Debian Live. You can only install Debian from Debian Live using the Calamares Installer. If you want to install other Linux distributions, you need to use their own live systems or installation systems.
Can I customize Debian Live with my own applications and settings?
Yes, you can customize Debian Live with your own applications and settings. You can do this by using a tool like live-build, which allows you to create your own custom Debian Live images with your own choice of packages, configuration files, scripts, etc. You can also use a tool like refracta, which allows you to create your own custom Debian Live images from an existing live system.
Can I use Debian Live on a virtual machine?
Yes, you can use Debian Live on a virtual machine. A virtual machine is a software that simulates a physical computer and allows you to run multiple operating systems on one computer. You can use a virtual machine to try Debian Live without affecting your existing system or to test its compatibility with different hardware configurations. You can use a virtual machine software like VirtualBox or VMware to create and run a virtual machine with Debian Live. 44f88ac181
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