Part 1: Install Linux
1. Before you start#
What you'll do: check that the computer is suitable, gather what you need, and save anything important from it. Time: 30 minutes, plus however long copying files takes.
Step 1: Check the computer#
| Computer | Works with this guide? |
|---|---|
| Windows PC or laptop with an Intel or AMD processor, roughly 2012 or newer | Yes |
| Intel Mac from 2017 or earlier | Yes. Some laptops need a USB keyboard during install (see Chapter 3) |
| Intel Mac from 2018–2020 (has a "T2" security chip) | Not covered. It needs special Linux drivers |
| Mac with Apple M1/M2/M3/M4… chip | No. Debian doesn't install on these |
Not sure what your Mac is?
Apple menu → About This Mac. If it says Chip: Apple M…, it's Apple Silicon. If it says Processor: Intel, check the year.
Minimum: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal disk. 8 GB RAM is comfortable.
Step 2: Gather what you need#
- The old computer and its charger, plugged in the whole time
- A USB stick, 8 GB or bigger. It will be erased.
- A second computer (Mac or Windows) to prepare the USB and to control the server later
- Internet: Wi-Fi password, or better, an Ethernet cable to your router
- Optional: a USB keyboard and a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, in case the built-in ones don't work in the installer
- A password manager (or a notebook kept somewhere safe) for the passwords you'll create
Step 3: Save everything you want from the old computer#
Stop: the old computer will be completely erased
Installing Linux deletes everything on the old computer: files, photos, apps, the old operating system. Reinstalling Windows or macOS later does not bring files back.
- Copy every file you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Open a few of the copied files from the copy, to prove the copy works.
- Write down any app licence keys you need.
Check
Disconnect all other external drives from the old computer before installing. Only the USB stick should be plugged in. That way you can't erase the wrong disk by accident.
Step 4: Choose names#
Decide now and write them in your Server notebook:
- Server name (hostname): one short word, lowercase, no spaces, for example
homeserver. - Your username: lowercase, no spaces, for example
alex. - Your password: strong and unique. Save it in the password manager.
Done when:
- The computer appears as "Yes" in the table
- Your files are copied and checked
- Other drives are disconnected
- Names chosen