Summary

The only real problems were: (1) figuring out how to specify which sub-systems should be installed, and (2) getting the mouse properly configured for X-windows.

Important: I am using a vanilla system. I have a CRT display and the mouse that came with the computer (a so-called PS/2 mouse -- not a USB mouse). The mouse has two buttons and a wheel. It is plugged into the mouse port on the back of the computer.

• Downloaded the two Debian .iso files from Debian.org via HTTP
  • Could not get jingdo to work
• Downloaded and installed CDBurnerXP Pro 3
• Used CDBurnerXP to burn the two .iso files as disk images
  • It was not obvious how to do this. I had to look at the program's instructions.

• Insert the first Debian CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
• Boot the computer.
• Hold down the F1 key while boot is underway.
  • This tells the BIOS not to boot from the hard disk.
• System should boot from CD-ROM.
• I followed all default options.

• Eventually you will see a screen that asks what sub-systems to install.
  • Options are: Windowing system, Web server, Mail server, etc.
• Navigate up and down the list with the up and down arrow keys.
• To mark a sub-system for installation, use the space bar.
  • You can unmark a marked sub-system using the space bar again.
  • If you want to install X-windows, mark the windowing system.
  • Note: I got errors later when I marked the web server sub-system.
• Hit the return key when your selections have been made.
• There will be lots of questions that follow. I accepted defaults on all, except:
  • I did autodetect for the monitor. It worked for me.
  • I tried autodetect for the mouse, but it appeared not to work.
• Eventually (and it will take awhile) you will boot up in Debian.
  • The computer will attempt to start X-windows. It will fail. You will probably see error messages about the mouse.

• Log in as root.
• Give the command (upper/lower case matters):   cd /etc/X11
• Give the command:   ed XF86Config-4
• ed is a primitive text editor. It does not give prompts. Type each of the following commands on a separate line. Hit return after each line. You may or may not get a response.
  • /mice/
  • s#input/mice#psaux#
  • +1
  • s/Im//
  • w
  • q
• Here's what you should have done:
  • Original two lines in file:
    • Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
    • Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
  • Changed to:
    • Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
    • Option "Protocol" "PS/2"
  • To confirm this, you can type:   more XF86Config-4
• That's it. To launch X-windows, type:   startx

• It worked for me, but it may not work for you.  Good luck.