Installing Debian on the Thecus N2100 -- PART 2 -- Installing the Installer
Posted by coldtobi | 16 Feb, 2008, 20:03Unfortunately, the last time was very busy, so I simply did not find the time to continue with this HOW-TO. Well, it is still tight, but today I want spend some minutes in completing at least the second part. Before I go forward learning python as I might have use for it in the NAS project...
Just repeating my self, please note, that this VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY. So the usual disclaimer apply: You brick, you repair it. I do not recommend installing Linux on the box, if you are not sure you can handle it. Linux requires more hand-on than the GUI -- you won't have a GUI anyway -- but on the other side, it reveals the real power.Table of Contents
- Part 1: Get Prepared
- Part 2: Installing the Installer (this article)
- Part 3: Installing Debian I (start the installer and configure RAID)
- Part 4: Installing Debian II
- Part 5: Fine tuning after the installation
In Part 1, we prepared and configured the Thecus and your home network / PC / Laptop / whatever-you-use for the installation. Today, we gonna install the debian installer onto the box. Please note, that this guide will flash the installer in the RAM.
This is how I did id, as I learned later, that you can also load the image into RAM without flashing it ( I'll gonna write an extra post about that, its already in the draft folder).
This time, I have a lots more of screen shots. Click them to get the full resolution.
Let the installations begin
LAST WARNING: WHILE INSTALLING DEBIAN, YOU HAVE TO REFORMAT YOUR ATTACHED HARD DRIVES. YES, THIS WILL ERASE ALL DATA. BACKUP YOUR DATA FIRST!
NOTE: YOU NEED INTERNET ACCESS DURING THE INSTALLATION. THE DEBIAN INSTALLER WILL DOWNLOAD *A LOT* SO YOU BETTER DO THAT ON A BROADBAND CONNECTION.
Fist, please boot your Y.E.S Box (Thecus N2100) with its original firmware. Login as usual and make a last check, if you really have a "good" firmware. If you don#t understand, please read the first part again, why you really want to have at least 2.1.0.5. Mine had 2.1.0.6, which is also known to work. (I once needed Redboot after some kernel failed to install)
After you checked the version, download the debian installer for the Thecus N2100. Here's the link for etch (current stable debian release)
[Update: Better use the daily image at the following link: The above link seems to be outdated... Choose the n2100.bin ]
http://people.debian.org/~joeyh/d-i/armel/images/daily/iop32x/netboot/
Again Updating: Now lenny is stable:
http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/dists/lenny/main/installer-arm/current/images/iop32x/netboot/n2100.bin
Even if you want to upgrade to lenny (testing) or sid (unstable) later, I recommend that you use a stable installer for installation. Upgrading later was never a big issue, but there could be some nasty installer bugs which are harder to circumvent.
Anyway, after downloading the installer image, go to the firmware upgrade page and select the just downloaded file.
The Point Of No Return
After clicking on "Apply", you need to accept the following warning. With clicking on "OK" you will cross the point of no return, as now the installer is flashed permanently box. Brave? Then breath deeply and press OK.
Now, you have to be patient. The dialog will show something about 100 seconds, but in reality it is more. I cannot tell exactly the time it took, but you should definitely wait at least 5 minutes. And in no circumstance, pull the plug (power off): A half flashed image needs recovery by RedBoot.
Another hint: Make sure, that you set up your network as described in the first part: I forgot that the first time, and ended up unable to connect, as no network interface was up.
If you did the same error as me, forgetting to setup, it is not hard to repair. I cured my mistake by rebooting the box: ACPI events are catched by the installer, so the power button works. Just press it for some (four?) seconds and wait till it reboots. You know the moment its rebooting, when the orange LED stops blinking for some seconds.
If you started with dnsmasq in debug mode, you'll see the moment it gets the IP-Address. Just wait some minutes more, as the installer has to do some initialization, like ssh-host-key generation. Afterwards, you can connect to the debian installer using ssh.
But this is the in third part.
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