Please note that using this guide with Debian 6.0.9, instead of the latest Debian, will result in 100% success. Do not use the latest version of Debian!!!!!!!
Download either UNetbootin or Rufus to copy your Debian image to a USB memory stick. Rufus is supposedly twice as fast as the other available options.
If using Rufus, you must first download a copy of Debian, the 32-bit (i386, x86) version should be fine regardless of your system configuration.
Within Rufus, click on the disc image located beside Copy a bootable disk using: and select the Debian Linux ISO that you've downloaded. Make sure the associated checkbox is checked and that the dropdown says ISO Image. Make sure you select the correct USB stick and click Start.
If using UNetbootin: (*) Distribution -> Debian -> Stable_NetInstall
Install Debian Linux
Note: There have been issues getting mining started on UEFI motherboards. The Debian install is successful but installing drivers or getting cgminer to run is impossible.
If you have a UEFI motherboard, you need to enter the BIOS (with the key plugged in already) and find a section along the lines of Boot Override, or if that section doesn't exist, the section to change boot order. You need to select USB boot or legacy boot, but definitely not anything called UEFI boot. Select the non-UEFI option for your USB key and install Linux as described below.
Start the computer with the key plugged in. When the installer begins, select Install. Select your language. Select your country. The default keymap is usually what you want.
You can just select Continue for the hostname screen. The default is fine. The domain name can be blank, select Continue.
Choose a secure password for your root account. The root account controls the entire system and can be logged in to by any computer on the network. If a person gains access to your router, they can also access that PC. A secure password will prevent anyone else from gaining access to the computer.
Either type in a name for your user account, or leave it blank. Select a new username for your account, it can be anything that you want to log in to. Select a secure password for that new account.
The new user creation can generally be 'skipped'. If you don't set up the PHP monitoring script, you won't need the new user and we'll be deleting it anyway.
Select your time zone.
During the disk setup, there are two methods. The simplest method is to select the following:
This method creates a swap partition which may degrade the performance or lifespan of a USB stick. A mechanical hard disk would benefit from the swap file.
Partitioning method: Guided - use entire disk
Select the correct USB key or disk drive that you are installing the system to.
Partition scheme: All files in one partition
Finish partitioning...
Select Yes to write the changes.
A more advanced method would be to remove the swap partition and save writes to your USB key:
Instead of using the Guided method, select Manual.
Select the correct USB key or disk drive that you are installing the system to.
Select the pri/log line.
Create a new partition
Continue
Primary
Select Mount options, select noatime using the Spacebar.
Select Bootable flag to set it to on.
Done setting up the partition
Finish partitioning...
Select No when it warns you about the swap partition. You don't want a swap partition.
Select Yes to write the changes.
Select your country to get a list of download mirrors local to you. Select a mirror which you believe to be closest. Leave the page asking about a proxy blank, just select Continue.
Configuring popularity-contest: select No.
Software selection: Deselect all default options (Spacebar) and enable [*] SSH server.
Install the GRUB boot loader...: Yes.
Continue
Linux is finally installed!
