Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common Debian 13 questions.

🚀 Installation Questions

Q: Which Debian 13 image should I download?

A: For most users, the DVD-1 image is recommended as it contains a complete desktop environment and can install offline. If you have fast internet, the netinst image is smaller and downloads the latest packages during installation.

Q: Can I install Debian alongside Windows?

A: Yes! Debian supports dual-boot installations. The installer can automatically resize Windows partitions to make space for Debian, or you can manually partition your drive.

Q: My WiFi doesn't work during installation. What should I do?

A: Download the firmware version of Debian 13 which includes non-free drivers, or use an ethernet connection during installation and install WiFi drivers afterward.

Q: How much disk space do I need?

A: Minimum 10GB, but 20GB+ is recommended for a comfortable desktop installation with room for your files and applications.

🖥️ Hardware Compatibility

Q: Will Debian work on my old computer?

A: Debian supports a wide range of hardware. For computers older than 10 years, consider using the i386 (32-bit) version or a lightweight desktop environment like Xfce or LXDE.

Q: My graphics card isn't working properly. Help!

A: For NVIDIA cards, install the nvidia-driver package. For AMD cards, the open-source drivers work well out of the box. You can also try booting with nomodeset parameter for troubleshooting.

Q: Can I run Debian on Apple Silicon Macs?

A: Debian has experimental support for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs through the arm64 architecture, but compatibility is limited. Consider using virtualization software for better compatibility.

📦 Software and Packages

Q: How do I install software in Debian?

A: Use the apt package manager:

sudo apt update                    # Update package list
sudo apt install package-name     # Install software
sudo apt search keyword           # Search for software

Q: Can I install .deb files from other distributions?

A: Generally not recommended. Debian packages are specifically built for Debian. Installing packages from Ubuntu or other distributions may cause conflicts.

Q: How do I enable non-free software?

A: Edit /etc/apt/sources.list and add contrib non-free non-free-firmware to your repository lines, then run sudo apt update.

Q: What's the difference between Stable, Testing, and Unstable?

A:

• Stable: Rock-solid, older packages, perfect for servers
• Testing: Newer packages, good balance of stability and features
• Unstable: Latest packages, may have bugs, for experienced users

🔧 System Configuration

Q: How do I change my desktop environment?

A: Install a new desktop environment (e.g., sudo apt install kde-desktop) and select it at the login screen, or use sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3 to change the default.

Q: My system is slow. How can I improve performance?

A:

• Disable unnecessary startup services
• Use a lighter desktop environment (Xfce, LXDE)
• Add more RAM if possible
• Use an SSD for storage
• Disable visual effects

Q: How do I set up printing?

A: Install CUPS: sudo apt install cups printer-driver-all. Access the web interface at http://localhost:631 to configure printers.

🌐 Network and Internet

Q: How do I connect to WiFi from the command line?

A: Use NetworkManager:

nmcli dev wifi list              # List networks
nmcli dev wifi connect "SSID" password "password"

Q: My internet is slow in Debian. Why?

A:

• Check if you're using the correct WiFi drivers
• Try different DNS servers (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1)
• Disable IPv6 if causing issues
• Check network adapter power management settings

Q: How do I configure a static IP address?

A: Edit /etc/network/interfaces or use NetworkManager's GUI. For modern systems, use nmcli or the network settings in your desktop environment.

🔐 Security and Updates

Q: How do I keep my system updated?

A: Run these commands regularly:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade    # Update all packages
sudo apt full-upgrade                  # Major upgrades
sudo apt autoremove                    # Remove unneeded packages

Q: Do I need antivirus software?

A: Linux is naturally more secure, but you can install clamav if desired. Good security practices (regular updates, careful with downloads) are more important.

Q: How do I configure the firewall?

A: Debian uses UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):

sudo ufw enable                    # Enable firewall
sudo ufw allow ssh                 # Allow SSH
sudo ufw status                    # Check status

🎯 Desktop and Applications

Q: Where can I find software to install?

A:

• Use the software center in your desktop environment
• Browse packages at https://packages.debian.org
• Install Flatpak for additional applications
• Use Snap packages (install snapd first)

Q: Can I run Windows programs on Debian?

A: Use Wine to run many Windows applications, or consider virtualization software like VirtualBox for running Windows in a virtual machine.

Q: How do I play multimedia files?

A: Install multimedia codecs:

sudo apt install vlc
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras  # Or debian-multimedia packages

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Q: My system won't boot after an update. Help!

A:

1. Boot from a previous kernel version in GRUB
2. Use recovery mode to fix issues
3. Boot from Live USB and chroot to repair
4. Check /var/log/dpkg.log for failed packages

Q: I accidentally deleted important files. Can I recover them?

A:

• Stop using the system immediately
• Boot from Live USB
• Use testdisk or photorec for file recovery
• For the future, set up regular backups

Q: How do I reset my password?

A:

1. Boot into recovery mode from GRUB
2. Select "Drop to root shell prompt"
3. Run: passwd username
4. Reboot normally

🏢 Advanced Usage

Q: Can I use Debian as a server?

A: Absolutely! Debian is excellent for servers. Install the minimal system and add only what you need. Consider using Debian Stable for maximum reliability.

Q: How do I set up SSH access?

A:

sudo apt install openssh-server
sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh

Q: Can I upgrade from Debian 12 to 13?

A: Yes, but wait for the official upgrade guide. Generally involves updating /etc/apt/sources.list and running apt update && apt full-upgrade.

📱 Mobile and Cloud

Q: Can I sync my files with cloud services?

A: Yes! Install clients for:

• Nextcloud: Native Linux client
• Dropbox: Official client available
• Google Drive: Use rclone or third-party clients
• OneDrive: Use onedrive or web interface

Q: How do I access my Android device?

A: Install mtp-tools and jmtpfs for MTP support, or use adb for developer access.

🆘 Getting More Help

Q: Where can I get help if these FAQs don't solve my problem?

A:

• Official Documentation: https://www.debian.org/doc/
• Community Forums: https://forums.debian.org
• IRC Channel: #debian on OFTC network
• Mailing Lists: [email protected]
• Reddit: r/debian
• Stack Overflow: Use 'debian' tag

Q: How can I contribute to Debian?

A:

• Report bugs through the Bug Tracking System
• Translate documentation
• Package software
• Write documentation
• Donate to the Debian project
• Help other users in forums

📚 Related Resources

• Installation Guide - Complete installation instructions
• First Boot Setup - Initial configuration
• Package Management - Managing software
• System Configuration - Customize your system

Need more specific help? Check our troubleshooting guides →