Thank you for your reply.

I originally had Windows 7 on a hard disk. I installed Yumi multiboot (for windows). I then used the Yumi pgm to install live debian 7 onto a usb.
I am now using the live debian usb to access the internet.
So now I know that a live linux iso can be installed onto a USB without burning a cd (with the aid of a boot loader).

I have looked for the debian installer on the live debian desktop but it isn't there.
I've looked for it under Applications→system tools and Applications→accessories but still can't find it.
But if I go to Applications→system tools→add/remove software, it is indicating that 'debian installer desktop launcher' exists on the OS.
The gnome shell which came with the debian package doesn't load. Also, I think there may be a problem with placing icons on the desktop. Currently, there are no icons on the desktop.

I can use 'apt-get install unetbootin' from the root terminal and open the installer.
However, the unetbootin pgm cannot detect my hard drives. It only detects the usb drive. This is my current problem.

I'm wondering if I need to 'mount' my hard drives, or create partitions in some way, or something else.
I can't reboot the usb after installing unetbootin because the live OS doesn't have persistence. So if I reboot, the unetbootin install will be lost.

I can't believe I'm having problems with both debian installer and unetbootin!

Debian installer should be located at /usr/sbin/ directory.
Open terminal and run:
Do not close terminal after installer start.

Since you have Yumi installed, no need to install Unetbootin, it is mostly the same tool, intended for creating live USB.

In your initial post, you indicate that you have the netinstall.iso of Debian. That may be the problem. I've never used it and don't use Debian regularly but with the standard iso file, once you create the bootable CD/DVD/flash drive and boot it, you should see the standard Debian Desktop which has a 'Debian-Installer' icon. Clicking this will start the installer, at least it did the last time I used Debian.

Just to clariy, using Yumi, unetbootin, pendrivelinux, LiLi you can create a bootable Linux flash drive. They are different programs/applications which accomplish the same task.


As pointed out above, there is no point in doing that as you already have the Live CD on flash.

I would not expect that to mean it 'exists' on the medium you are using but rather that it is available for download. Not being a Debian user myself and never having used the netinstall method, I would suggest you try the suggestion above by Teufel and see what happens.

I've done this and get the following error message:

'no suitable d-i initrd image found, aborting.
umount: /lib/live/installer: not found'.

I went onto the live USB debian site and found that 3rd party bootloaders will mess about with the debian OS. In particular, they'll delete the debian installer.
I used Yumi bootloader and hey presto - there's no debian installer on my live debian version!
These guys are probably doing that because they want you to use their bootloader only.

I am now attempting to do the following:
1. Create a new partition on my USB.
2. Install Unetbootin (this has already worked)
3. Download debian installer iso (this has already worked)
4. Then use unetbootin to extract the debian installer iso into a running pgm onto the new partition.
5. Then use debian installer to store a boot loader and linux iso file onto a hard disk.
6. Boot the hard disk.

I think everything will probably fall apart by stage 4, but I'll have a go.

Yes, the debian USB live version is called an iso hybrid. Not sure why, but I expect cos it's different. Especially as the version doesn't have persistence.

I have also found that they will delete debian installer.
Well, at least I'm learning more as I go along.

I'm now going to look for software which will recognise the firmware of my dvd rw.
That way, I can burn an iso file and load from my hard disk!

Thanks everyone!

So you still have debian-installer-lancher, but seems it either misconfigured or requires additional command line parameters.

I'm wondering why do you trying to re-invent the wheel and refuse to install it in official way?
There is netinst CD image to install Debian. It uses the same debian-installer.
Just put this iso to usb stick with Yumi and boot with it. Your installation will start automatically.
Look here:
https://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/

And let me suggest one thing: before starting the installation, detach you hard drive with Windows. Just to be on the safe side. You can harm it accidentally during the installation. You can attach it back later after installation finish.