Before you start, make sure to back up every file that is now on your system.
The installation procedure can wipe out all of the data on a hard disk! The
programs used in installation are quite reliable and most have seen years of
use; still, a false move can cost you. Even after backing up, be careful and
think about your answers and actions. Two minutes of thinking can save hours
of unnecessary work.
Debian makes it possible to have both Debian GNU/Linux and another operating
system installed on the same system. If you plan to use this option, make sure
that you have on hand the original CD-ROM or floppies of the other installed
operating systems. If you repartition your boot drive, you may find that you
have to reinstall your existing operating system's boot loader2.1 or the entire operating system itself.
If your computer is connected to a network 24 hours a day (i.e., an Ethernet
or similar LAN connection - not a PPP connection), you should ask your network's
system administrator for the following information:
Your host name (you may be able to decide this on your own)
Your domain name
Your computer's IP address
The IP address of your network
The netmask to use with your network
The broadcast address to use on your network
The IP address of the default gateway system you should route to, if your network
has a gateway
The system on your network that you should use as a DNS server
Whether you connect to the network using Ethernet
Whether your Ethernet interface is a PCMCIA card, and if so, the type of PCMCIA
controller you have
If your only network connection is a telephone line using PPP or an equivalent
dialup connection, you don't need to worry about getting your network set up
until your system is already installed. See section 11.1 on page
for information on setting up PPP under Debian.