What's the easiest version of debian to do a network install? I tried the normal Debian, but could not figure it out. An online Debian network install tutorial might help too.

I just did a net-install of the newest sarge release (the testing version of debian).

Some problems I ran into:

At the boot: prompt, enter "linux26" to make sure you get modern hardware support and such. This made the main difference between failure and success for me.

Also, the installation was unable to download the packages. So I ended up with just the basic core and a network. Luckily, its debian . If this happens to you, once you are done, do the following:

apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade
apt-get upgrade
apt-get install x-window-system
apt-get install kde
apt-get install gdm

Then startx, and you should be good to go

I hope this prepares you for any troubles you run into.

my experience with the sarge installer:

i ran into the same issue with the "linux26" boot option (not downloading packates), so i did an expert24 (it may just be "expert") and it ran just fine...when it came time to choose my kernel i picked the 2.6.5-k7 kernel from the list, and it happily installed it. once i tried a full 2.4 install and it wouldnt pick up my network card.

i've helped 2 people i know install debian, using the same method...doing an expert 2.4 install (for most options, the defalts are fine, you just have to know where your cd drive is.../dev/hdc) and choosing the 2.6.5 kernel and doing a net install.


TimmyP

Yeah, I installed it on a friend's computer just last Friday and it went through without troubles - I think whatever was wrong has been fixed.

Since I was out of CDRoms (only buy dvds) realizing this after downloading the Debian CD1
So I unpacked the CD , Ran a NFS server with the cd

Booted up on a debian floppy then ran the install thru my nfs server