Hello,

sorry for the newb question, but here it goes :-)

I have an ISO with Debian Squeeze bootstrap - it boots up fine. I then fdisk and mount my physical drive - no problems, i can create files, etc.

But my question is, now do i install on this base linux onto that drive and make it bootable? The instructions on the site say 'Install to Disk' but I dont have that option when i boot up - even if i did i would like to know how to do it.

So far ive just fdisk and created ext4 filesystem - how do i know get it bootable with a minimal linux version (pref just like the iso/cd im using)

Thanks in advance

Which CD are you using? Why not just use an install CD?
But anyways, if you have debootstrap on the disk you can use it to install a minimum system on the mounted partition.
After that you have to chroot into the partition and install a kernel and a bootloader.
But just using a proper install disk would be the simplest option.

Thank you for the reply:

I'm crazy and like pain so i don't want to use the easy option of an install disk :-) I want to know how to do it w/o (just for knowledge) -- so my question then is: I have created the partition, how do i go about installing a kernel and bootloader? I know that may sound goofy but I really want to do this.

Oh, im using turnkey-bootstrap-12.0-squeeze-x86.iso --
thanks again :-)

Sorry, I don't know anything about those turnkey things. Get a Debian Live CD, it can be used to bootstrap a really minimal system (although the results will be the same as using the install disk and deselct everything when asked what to install.
Basically you do it it this way:
1. Boot from the live CD, mount your partition.
2. Use debootstrap to install a minimal system to that partition. See for more information.
3. Bind-mount /dev, /proc and /sys on the new install, copy over your /etc/resolv.conf so that you have network access and chroot into the new system.
Info for that with 4. Create the /etc/apt/sources.list file, pointing to a valid mirror.
5. Use apt-get to install a kernel and the bootloader of your choice and other software you want to have installed, like a text editor.
6. Exit from the chroot, remove all mounts and reboot into the new system.

Thank you for the response. I may end up doing this if i cannot figure out how to dot it simply from a live cd / terminal access and a mounted/formatted blank disk :-) I'll let you know what i end up doing - thanks.

Another thing you could do if you want to start out a bit simpler but not with a full install disk is to use the netinstall disk.

That will install a kernel and all the APT stuff you need but not much more if you don't let it at the end of the install where it asks if you want to install a DE and so forth.

This will boot to a black screen and a log in prompt. You can install from there the rest of what you want.

A lot of us use that to install testing or sid. You can have just the Squeeze base and upgrade to testing and then on to Sid without adding anything to it. Then install the rest of the system.

I would highly recommend installing on 2 partitions rather than 1 (/ and /home).

If you continue on in your debootstrap install keep us informed. Have never fooled with it either and would be interested.

I don't know if you have seen this;
http://www.debian-administration.org/articles/426

May be of some help in your exercise in self flagilation. Have FUN.

Why so complicated? Choose the expert installation option, this way you can just choose which version you want to install.

Will have to look at that.

Probably just do it from habit.