Install Debian from the DVD1 ISO using Easy2Boot

I previously described a method of installing Debian from a CD ISO file here. You can also use the LiveCD to install Debian or the net-installer ISO.

debian 8.4.0 Cinnamon

However, this method appears not to work when using a DVD-1 ISO because it cannot find the 'CD' to install the packages which are kept on the DVD after installing the base files.


If you want to install from the DVD version of the ISO (perhaps when you don't have internet access?), try one of these methods:

For an NTFS E2B USB drive

1. Download the DVD-1 ISO (e.g. debian-8.4.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso  3.7GB)

Note: This ISO must be smaller than 4GB.

2. Download the 'hd-media' versions of vmlinuz and initrd.gz. Use the correct 'bit' version for your particular DVD ISO.

I used Debian 8.4 amd64, and so I downloaded the files from this folder:
http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/Debian8.4/main/installer-amd64/current/images/hd-media/

The 32-bit version is here:
http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/Debian8.4/main/installer-i386/current/images/hd-media/


Note: I tried the versions in the gtk folder too, but I just got a blank screen under VBox???

3. Copy the DVD ISO file to a new empty folder on your Desktop (e.g. debian)

4. Copy the vmlinuz and initrd.gz files to the new folder

5. Make a new text file \menu.lst:

title debian install \n Install from DVD-1 ISO
kernel /vmlinuz
initrd /initrd.gz
boot

The new folder should now look like this:

6. Finally, drag-and-drop the whole debian folder (NOT the ISO file) onto the MPI_FAT32 desktop shortcut (the MPI Tool Kit needs to be installed on your Windows system). Specify a .imgPTN target file and Combine the menu.lst files when prompted.

You can now copy the debian.imgPTN file to your E2B USB drive. Choose the new menu entry to begin the installation. I chose the Cinnamon desktop option. Be sure to install the boot loader to the target drive and not to your E2B drive!

If the .imgPTN file is below 4GB, you can also copy it to a FAT32 E2B USB drive, if you wish.

For a FAT32 E2B USB drive (does not work on an E2B NTFS drive)

1. Download the ISO and place it in the root of the E2B USB drive.

Note: This ISO must be smaller than 4GB.

2. Download the vmlinuz and initrd.gz files (see above) and copy them to the \_ISO\LINUX\debian folder.

3. Add this text file to \_ISO\LINUX\debian\debian.mnu  (any name will do)

title debian install \n Install from DVD-1 ISO
kernel $HOME$/vmlinuz
initrd $HOME$/initrd.gz
boot

Now select the menu item from the LINUX menu and debian should find the ISO file automatically.