If like him you need to have for several reason both Windows and Linux on the same machine the instructions should be the same.

I suppose that you have a working machine.

First of all check the boot sequence that the CD comes before the HD.

Windows

Windows operating system should be installed before on the first partition to save a lots of troubles. Install also all the drivers. I've already seen computer crashing when rebooting for the driver installation with Linux installed as primary operating system.

Done with Windows!

Linux Debian

I like to use the net install. There is then no need to burn many CDs but you will need an internet connection.

Our both machine have Core 2 Duo processors. Some say that it's better to install AMD64 image others i686. With my last installed I chose i686 for one good reason: my new desktop have an ASUS P5B and that the AMD64 netinstall couldn't find the NIC drivers...

Links:

Buying a CD-RW is also a good idea since the netinstalls are changing quite often.

Burn your image, insert the CD in the player and reboot your machine.

  1. When the netinstall menu appears press "Return" (Entrer).
  2. Choose the language, Country and key map. This is important for the rest of the install.
  3. If you don't have a DHCP server, configure your NIC with the proper parameters.
  4. Choose to partition manualy:
    • The first partition has windows with the dedicated space you gave on the disk.
    • Debian doesn't require much space for the system. 20Gb is fair enough. So you create new partition of 20 Gb with EXT3 format, mount point root ("/"), leave the rest by default except the boot flag you meed to set to ON.
    • You need a SWAP partition too. It usually is bouble the size of the RAM so 1024x2 you put around 2.1Gb
    • The rest of the disk can be used as you want. You can make a big EXT3 partition with what's left and mount it in /home/ for example. Up to you.
    • Save and confirm the changes, the installer will then partition the HD and format it
  5. The installer install the components from the CD and if I have good memory ask you to choose a mirror. Pick one and continue.
  6. The installer ask you what you want to install. Choose
    • Desktop
    • Laptop (here we have a laptop)
    • Basic or I can't remember now, the last choice
  7. Now be patient, it will download all the latest packages and install them.
  8. At the end, install Grub in the MBR (Master Boot Record)
  9. Remove the CD reboot you should have a fresh installation

I skipped all the user and password creation, machine name... but you can guess what you have to do.

On my last install I had an error when rebooting after the installation. No panic!!! Since I had all my thesis work on the Windows machine I couldn't give up. I just reinstalled the system but at the end when installing grub, I press Esc and chose to install Lilo instead of Grub. Problem solved.

More coming soon...