Hi there
I have just downloaded the debian alpha ISO image
debian-31r1a-alpha-netinst
It is in WINRAR format and i have tried to burn the image to CD with Nero and it don't work, If I WINRAR it then I obviously get a load of files but how do I burn this as an image?
I have just built a PC with spares I have accumulated and want to install it to this, So i can have a play with the OS
Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks
Debian virgin

When you winrar, do you get a .iso file, or a bunch of files? What is the extension before you winrar? If it is .iso, that is the file you need. Use Nero to burn an image of that to a CD. I don't use Nero, so I'm unfamiliar with it's commands. You can get a trial version of Alcohol 120% which is really easy to use.

When i WINRAR it i get a bunch of files...

Before WINRAR file is:
debian-31r1a-alpha-netinst.iso - ISO9660 archive, unpacked size 149,110,829 bytes

Since it is an .iso file, you need to burn that to a disk as an image. I'm sure Nero has the option of doing it, but like I said I'm not familiar with that program enough to walk you through it. Don't just make a copy of it though, because that will put it on the disk as a .iso and it'll be useless to you. After you get it burned to your cd, boot it in the chosen machine and away to go. As I'm sure you know, you will need internet access to install using that cd.

you're using winrar to unzip it... mistake, cos although you get the files, you lose all the bootable cd stuff...

if nero isn't working I'd suggest the iso is corrupt or you need to reinstall nero, or find a patch...

try finding some other cdburner program...

I use nero, I click file then burn image.
select the iso and click open. then it's just like burning any other cd

Have you tried to download the netinstall.iso file from Debian with out the rar compression:
http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/...86-netinst.iso
Then burn the iso straight to the disk as a disk image (iso).

Thats a winrar file also !
I wondering if it is a bios issue why i can't boot from the CD to start the installation?

Winrar is like winzip. It will associate any compressed file, i.e. .zip, .iso with itself as the default opener. Did you burn the cd as an image file, or did you just copy the .iso over to a cd? You need to burn it as an image, because that will put all the files on the disc as well as make it bootable.

You have associated iso's with winrar. That does not mean it is a winrar file, just that winrar is configured to open it. Nero has a burn image option under one of the menu bar items.

dracae is right... use nero to burn the image (that "winrar" file) to disk using the "burn image to disk" option in nero

Looks like hte only issue is that .iso files are registered on your system as being associated with WinRAR.

Open Nero Burning ROM
hit the cancel button in the 'new compilation window'
select RECORDER -> burn image from the menu at the top of the screen
browse your system using the dialog box that appears and find the debian.iso file you downloaded click open
Insert your blank media and click on the burn button

I think your entire problem is you keep clicking on the iso file and WinRAR is opening it as the default action. you should really have .iso files associated with a burning application like NERO instead of a compression application like WinRAR.



The second question I have is 'did you INTEND to download an iso for the alpha platform ?'
Do you really have a DEC or Compaq 64 Bit Alpha RISC system that you intend to install this on ?
(most people I know do not, in fact I can only name ONE aquaintance I know that even works one of those Alpha machines.. )

If you are going to install this on a normal PC you probably need the i386 netinstall.iso not the ALPHA image..

Thanks all I now have a working debian OS !
Its the basic installation package(i386) about 110 Mbytes, So it just comes up with a command line,
Any pointers on where to find a GUI for this ?

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=2016&page=9

This is the installation for Woody guide (Debian 3.0). Most of it translates to Sarge also. Just start at about page 9 and it will tell you what to install.

Alternatively, I think if you type su and then root password, and then type base-config there might be a menu option that allows you to select what type of machine you're setting up. You'll want to pick "Desktop" and then it should install a gui and some other programs for you.