Debian – Graphical Expert Install Mode

debiandebian-installergpartedpartition

I made a partitions on a new SSD drive (empty), now I want to install Debian, use netinst ISO CD. I chosed "Graphical expert install" type, which show a series of questions. When installation process come to a Partition disks step, there is a lot of options, and what's unclear:

  • "Bootable flag : off/on" – should I set it "On" for Boot partition? Should I skip it for the other partitions, or should set it Off for the rest partitions?

  • "Format the partition: no keep existing data" – should I format partitions, even they are empty?

  • Reserved blocks: 5% – should I use this option? (SSD disk 60GB but really show 55.80GB available, so I assume that ~7% space already reserved?)

  • Should I set/change any flag for Swap partition? Currently it marked "F".

What steps should I make starting with "Partition disks" page? Overall, the Debian installer is unclear at this point and does not make installation easier.

Best Answer

This is a critical moment of the installation, the guide doesn't want to interfere too much because:

  • you have chosen expert
  • you could erase data involuntarily

Exposing all possible options to a GUI installer is difficult (GUI is always limiting choices).

Finally some recommendations:

  • Bootable flag for boot partion: on
  • Other partitions, bootable flag: off/ skip(=off)
  • Format the partitions: yes, formatting also creates a suitable file system (e.g. ext4). Choose no only if you are sure that the current format will work.
  • Swap: leave the default -- it doesn't matter much imo.
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