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[Installation]

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truenorth
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[Installation]

#1 Post by truenorth »

I am sure this must be asked often. I am 84 years of age and STILL trying to assimilate new technologies. However sometimes it is very frustrating. Such is my current state. I love to try new things to keep my aging brain active. I recently acquired a Toshiba satellite laptop with a hard drive on it that had a company protected P/W. I want to install a version of Debian on that hard drive ( I have made it a removable HDD by removing it from the computer and putting it in a case). I have tried many years ago to download and install Ubuntu on a computer--never able to do it. So here i am many years later trying something similar. I did try to download an ISO of Debian. Which I think I have done on a USB drive. However it seems to need something else in order to be able to install it to another hard drive or use from the USB????? I have spent hours trying to find a Debian that is not an ISO and is a downloadable version that I can install on a dvd disc and use that disc in my Toshiba (changed the boot order to allow boot from cd/dvd). I would be very grateful if someone that can give me detailed instructions on where to get what I need/how to save it/how to install it. Thank you, Fred

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Re: [Installation]

#2 Post by FreewheelinFrank »

What is the file name of the ISO you have downloaded?

The ISO is what you need, but it sounds like you have copied it to the USB as a file rather than formatting the USB as the ISO image.

To create a bootable DVD, you need to burn the ISO as a disk image. Exactly how you do this will depend on what operating system you are using now. Windows? Which version? It may be as simple as right clicking on the ISO file and selecting "Burn disc image".

To create a USB image in Windows, you will need to install an application, I think (I haven't done this in Windows). Be aware that the process will destroy any data on the USB. You have to tell the application if the laptop uses BIOS or EFI.

https://www.debugpoint.com/how-to-creat ... n-windows/

Burning a DVD would be the easiest thing to try first, but they are slower than USB when running an OS from a live image.

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Re: [Installation]

#3 Post by arochester »

I recently acquired a Toshiba satellite laptop with a hard drive on it that had a company protected P/W.
Have you managed to remove that password?

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Re: [Installation]

#4 Post by truenorth »

Freewheelinfrank and Arochester--thank you for your replies. No I haven't been able yet (tried hard) to remove the password (that certainly would eliminate the need to install Debian or anything else). However on that issue the password that is involved is an institutional P/W to gain access to the computer. I suppose this computer seems to have been used in a training environment with many users. I have in the past overcome individual user P/W on other computers. I cannot get into anything to change cmd names etc. I cannot even get into safe mode. I can only get into F12 system access. I tried both downloading the ISO to a flash drive and a dvd disc. But of course in that format they don't do anything (I did change the BIOS order in both instances).
The name of the of the version on the usb is called Debian GNU/Linux. It was the one that is at the top of the Debian web site. I cannot do anything on the affected computer--everything I do to prepare the media must be done on another laptop. Yes I believe what I need is a "live image " as opposed to an ISO image. But I don't know how to either get the "live image" or make one from the ISO. The computer I have full access to (downloads) is a win8.1 the one I am trying to gain access to is a win7 home premium. If I can click on the ISO (on the flash drive) and command "burn disc image' (haven't tried that)--where will it place the disk image?"To create a USB image in Windows, you will need to install an application" where do I get that application and what is it called and if I find it where do I install so it will associate with the ISO? Thanks guys. Fred PS shouldn't I know whether it is a 32 or 64 bit O/S?

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Re: [Installation]

#5 Post by artytux »

@truenorth
where do I get that application and what is it called and if I find it where do I install so it will associate with the ISO?

This link below
Will go a long way to explain in easy form the what and how to get you started that when done will boot up the P/W protected via the fresh usb live session if you can do that you are on a win because when you wipe the win7 laptop and install the Linux distro via the usb the problems with P/W will be gone .

So first steps
get and download an ISO image
on the download page there should be *(needs to be) a checkssum that is to verify it's not corrupt, ask if you don't know how to this step, not difficult.

doing the small steps one at a time

do what is link to install a working live ISO

https://www.wikihow.com/Boot-Linux-from ... Windows-10

Once the live ISO is loaded bootup the laptop through bios menu
Q
( you do have access to that in the bios ) chose usb, you chose that one,
A
(I did change the BIOS order in both instances)
That answers that

then check some things on live install work as they should eg. keyboard and mouse and open a few apps making sure that they do open.

Happy with results

time to install and I think you should wipe the entire disk using it all that will remove Win and and Pw cruft you don't need !

so hopefully you can get to this part without too much hassle or many attempts, when you get to this part you are done and so is that password.


BTW
Toshiba satellite laptop very good laptop them.

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Re: [Installation]

#6 Post by kent_dorfman766 »

not clear whether the password OP mentions is a bios password, or on the hard disk. If the bios is accessible and there is no policy rule against it then I'd suggest removing the hard disk, reseting the bios and disabling secure boot, then completely wiping the disk or getting another disk and starting from scratch.

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Re: [Installation]

#7 Post by artytux »

@kent_dorfman766
not clear whether the password OP mentions is a bios password, or on the hard disk

Unless I read that wrong, that reply No4 the OP's No 2 reply end of 1st paragraph

(I did change the BIOS order in both instances).

so I think it's just the HD, that's why I suggested a full disk install and get rid of that password, to my way of thinking would that be the easiest way through this problem >?

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Re: [Installation]

#8 Post by FreewheelinFrank »

I have no experience of password protected HDs. Does that mean it's encrypted, or there is some some of hardware lock that prevents access without a password?

@truenorth

If the ISO image you have is an installation medium, you should be able to boot from it and get the installation screen. In Windows 8 it is just a case of right clicking on the image and selecting "Burn disc image".

https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/support/k ... -201431en/

However, trying a Live image could be a better idea as it would allow you to try Debian first.

I don't know what model your Toshiba is, but I have the minimum spec Satellite C50-B model from seven years ago and it will run KDE, Gnome or XFCE.

Check model number to see if it is 32 or 64 bit first. Probably best to try the image with non-free firmware included.

https://cdimage.debian.org/images/unoff ... e+nonfree/

Assuming 64bit, you need one of the ISO images here (you can choose the desktop - KDE, Gnome, XFCE etc).

https://cdimage.debian.org/images/unoff ... so-hybrid/

When you have downloaded the ISO image, put a new DVD (not CD - too small) in the drive, find the file in the file manager and right click it as per the link.

Put that in the laptop and reboot and it should boot to Debian.

To create a live USB, the program you need is in the link I gave.

https://www.debugpoint.com/how-to-creat ... n-windows/

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Re: [Installation]

#9 Post by truenorth »

Guys (+ Gals if appropriate) Thanks' again. I am going to try the route that artytux is suggesting. I am going to be busy for the next few days so I will not be back until I have tried that process. You all can be certain I will keep you informed about my progress or lack of. I have always wanted to try a Linux (or similar) without success so far. So I shall try not to give up as I did many years ago. Regards truenorth AKA=Fred

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Re: [Installation]

#10 Post by truenorth »

Artytux. OK I think I am getting close--but don't know what is needed at this point.
1.I downloaded an ISO of Debian 11 to a flash drive.
2.I burned the ISO to a disk image on a dvd disc.
3. I Booted (BIOS CD/DVD) from the dvd disc and have gotten as far as the "Network Auto configuration failed"
I had tried the 1st option (default) when this option first came up and got an error message--so I went back and tried the lower option which also failed. I am connected to wifi (on the same one I am using on this computer) It was one of two offered (obviously the other computer saw it) and I know it works . So I don't know how to advance beyond this point.

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Re: [Installation]

#11 Post by truenorth »

New Info=I elected to "do it later on the "configure network" and am now stuck at a window of "partitioning". However I have no HDD installed (neither external or internal). So what is next?

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Re: [Installation]

#12 Post by artytux »

OK now correct me please but how did you intend to install Debian 11 or any Linux distro if you don't have a HD to install it on,

Q
Please inform me what the blazes are you going to partition Fred so you can install on what with no HD, HUH. :?:

Q
Why am I having problems understanding what people are wanting to do, Is it me or them that's missed the point ? ? ?

:arrow: I"m serious hoping these are typo errors on you part Fred.

or the coffee was decaf :lol:

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Re: [Installation]

#13 Post by truenorth »

More= Now at a black screen with "DebianGNU comes with absolutely no warranty etc.etc." Then follows some type of identification "fred @fred etc. with a flashing cursor. What does it want typed in?

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Re: [Installation]

#14 Post by artytux »

Would you be so Kind as to answer the Questions I asked in post No 12

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Re: [Installation]

#15 Post by truenorth »

artytux, I came to the same conclusion=how can you partition something that doesn't exist/how can you retain an O/S if you don't have anything to store it on=so I decided to plug the locked HDD into a USB port. It was seen/ It asked me if I wanted to partition it with the caution all data would be lost. So given it was useless anyway I went ahead and a small boot partition (Debian i suppose) and an almost 500gb remainder. So I assume I now have Debian on the external HDD.But I am stuck as noted in #13????

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Re: [Installation]

#16 Post by artytux »

Since you got the wikihow instructions done succesfully

This is what now you need to follow

viewtopic.php?f=16&p=743338#p743338

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Re: [Installation]

#17 Post by truenorth »

artytux.
OUCH --you did note I am 84=I doubt I will live long enough to read all that let alone understand it. It seems to all be related to a Bumblebee version and I believe my version is bullseye. Is it not possible given where I am (it is obviously looking for a typed input) (is it going to be the 1st of hundreds or will this get me into the program with a desktop)? I am not a programmer. I just want to try an alternative to a windows O/S. Unless someone can give me a more precise instruction I may be closing in on a bailout. Surely it doesn't require multitudes of links and hundreds of typed commands to get beyond where I am.

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Re: [Installation]

#18 Post by artytux »

I had to check the link just to sure

The Title

Howto: Install and configure Debian Bullseye

How do you get Bumblebee :roll:

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Re: [Installation]

#19 Post by artytux »

I f you read it properly and carefully follow the instructions this can be done

further more it is not

'Surely it doesn't require multitudes of links and hundreds of typed commands to get beyond where I am'

Not multitudes of links

and definitely not hundreds of typed commands

Keep it real please.

Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by the newness of the look of the procedure, as I mentioned before Fred take your time read carefully then read again and enjoy the working to get it done and with no rush or timeframe or deadline to have get it done by, since you have another machine treat it as a hobby, jigsaw or something like a big book that you take weeks to read because you feel inspired don't give up at he first signs of difficulty, instead have a cuppa and rest awhile then go back to the install.

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Re: [Installation]

#20 Post by donald »

so. ... whats the actual thread title? :)
Typo perfectionish.


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