USB Install on Thinkpad x220

[lucius]

I am looking at purchasing a refurbished Thinkpad x220 running Windows 7 to install Debian. My plan is to buy a new internal SSD and use it for Debian only (I'll keep the Win HD in case I need Win).

The X220 does not have an optical drive, so it looks like I would need to go with a USB drive installer. However, according to the Debian Installation Guide, I need to have a system running Linux in order to create the USB installer. Here's the section I'm referencing:

https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/ ... 03.html.en

Since I don't have a system running Linux and the laptop doesn't have an optical drive, how can I install Debian on this machine please?

Many thanks!

[arochester]

If you mean "How can I create a bootable USB stick from Windows?" try this: https://rufus.akeo.ie/

[lucius]

Thanks for the link arochester, I'll definitely check out rufus.

Do you know why the Debian manual would say I need a linux machine to create the bootable USB drive if it can be done using thirparty software on windows?

[kiyop]

Do you know why the Debian manual would say I need a linux machine to create the bootable USB drive if it can be done using thirparty software on windows?

I do not know, but FAQ describes many ways on Windows: https://www.debian.org/CD/faq/index.en. ... rd-windows
Maybe the installation guide should be revised.
But you might miss the sentence in the installation guide:
https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/ ... 03.html.en

The win32diskimager utility can be used under other operating systems to copy the image.

win32diskimager is for Windows. Refer https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32d ... rce=navbar

Image Writer for Microsoft Windows Release 0.9.5 - Unnamed Edition 2: The oddly released sequel ====== About: ====== This utility is used to write img files to SD and USB memory devices.

Maybe you did not read the installation guide?

[lucius]

Thanks for the info kiyop. Yes, I didn't read the entire guide. I stopped after it said i needed to be running linux to create the USB.

I just though of another question.

If I put a brand new internal SSD into the laptop, is there anything I need to do to it before running the Debian USB installer, or will the installer take care of everything, such as drive formatting, etc.?

Thanks again!

[kiyop]

I remember that in these debian user forums, there had been some reports that installing to SSD failed, but I am not sure if it is hard to install onto (recognize) SSD.

[lucius]

It looks like there may be issues:

https://wiki.debian.org/SSDOptimization

It would probably be best to go with a HDD. I could probably save some money that way too.

Please let me know if there is anything you think I need to be cautious of when selecting a HDD.

Thanks again kiyop!

[pylkko]

Out of curiosity, what does such "failure to install" consist of, or how does it present itself? I have installed Debian several times and always on an SSD! Never had any problems what so ever. This is both on computers that came with an SSD and others where I installed the SSD.

The installer can do the formatting and partitioning. However, it can also install on preformatted drives, if you want to do that.

[lucius]

I did some more research, and it looks like an SSD would work well. There are some things to do to optimize it, but it looks like it will improve performance significantly out of the box:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/sol ... ne-already

https://forum.teksyndicate.com/t/best-s ... inux/74701

[kiyop]

f you mean "How can I create a bootable USB stick from Windows?" try this: https://rufus.akeo.ie/

You haven't read the above posts, have you?
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 27#p618570

If you mean "How can I create a bootable USB stick from Windows?" try this: https://rufus.akeo.ie/

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 27#p618573

Thanks for the link arochester, I'll definitely check out rufus.

Do you know why the Debian manual would say I need a linux machine to create the bootable USB drive if it can be done using thirparty software on windows?

[GarryRicketson]

@kiyop

Postby kiyop » You haven't read the above posts, have you?

Just looked at all 5 posts by "millahjovich" , BOTS, do not read the other posts.
It is best to just ignore them.
Sorry to go off topic, but just saying.

[kiyop]

Just looked at all 5 posts by "millahjovich" , BOTS, do not read the other posts.
It is best to just ignore them.

Thank you, GarryRicketson, for telling me the above