[Debian 8.0 Installation] Firmware files on USB stick with debian iso

[Avinash Sonawane]

Hi! Debian n00b here!

I am trying to install Debian 8.0 on my system. While installing it
reported some firmware being missing (more specifically
brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw) so I downloaded the firmware files from
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/firmware/jessie/current/

I am using USB stick as an installation media which I accomplished using
$ dd if=<debian.iso_file_name> of=/dev/sdb bs=4M; sync

After which two partitions /dev/sdb1(4 GB) and /dev/sdb2 (426 KB) got
created automatically with 3.8GB of free space remaining on the stick.
Now as mentioned in the Debian Installation Guide
(https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch04s03.html.en#usb-copy-isohybrid)
I want to have those firmware files on the same USB stick since I have
only one USB port working.

I tried using disks, gparted. But both threw warnings and errors about
GPT table.
"Error: The backup GPT table is not at the end of the disk, as it
should be. This might mean that another operating system believes the
disk is smaller. Fix, by moving the backup to the end (and removing
the old backup)?" I went along the suggested "fix" options but
couldn't create another partition.

So then I tried fdisk to create a FAT partition to hold firmware
files. It did threw a warning but allowed me to create a partition.
"WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sdb'! The util
fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted."

But then after mounting, copying firmware directory on new FAT
partition when I tried to install from USB stick it reported an error
saying "isolinux.bin missing or corrupt" and refused to boot from the
stick. I am pretty sure it has something to do with the newly created
FAT partition and the firmware files copied on it. As initially
without firmware files (and the new FAT partition) installation was
going smooth.

Please direct me to any pointers on to how to have firmware files on
USB stick alongside Debian installable image.

Thank you.

Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://rootkea.wordpress.com

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
I am trying to install Debian 8.0 on my system. While installing it
reported some firmware being missing (more specifically
brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw) so I downloaded the firmware files from
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/firmware/jessie/current/
I am using USB stick as an installation media which I accomplished using
$ dd if=<debian.iso_file_name> of=/dev/sdb bs=4M; sync

I'm not sure which iso you downloaded. If it was the netinst version
from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
take a look further down the page where there's a panel with a red
cross. Here you can get the netinst iso with firmware included within
it. bcm43xx-0.fw 96224 Jun 15 2014 is in there.

Cheers,
David.

[Avinash Sonawane]

Post by David Wright

Post by Avinash Sonawane
I am trying to install Debian 8.0 on my system. While installing it
reported some firmware being missing (more specifically
brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw) so I downloaded the firmware files from
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/firmware/jessie/current/
I am using USB stick as an installation media which I accomplished using
$ dd if=<debian.iso_file_name> of=/dev/sdb bs=4M; sync

I'm not sure which iso you downloaded. If it was the netinst version
from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
take a look further down the page where there's a panel with a red
cross. Here you can get the netinst iso with firmware included within
it. bcm43xx-0.fw 96224 Jun 15 2014 is in there.

I downloaded http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/8.0.0/amd64/iso-dvd/debian-8.0.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso
whose integrity I checked using sha512sum, sha256sum and md5sum. I
also verifies gpg signatures for the same. So I am pretty sure I have
the official Debian 8.0 dvd1 iso.

I am stuck at how to create a separate partition to hold the firmware
files as mentioned in Debian Installation guide.
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[Curt]

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by David Wright
I'm not sure which iso you downloaded. If it was the netinst version
from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
take a look further down the page where there's a panel with a red
cross. Here you can get the netinst iso with firmware included within
it. bcm43xx-0.fw 96224 Jun 15 2014 is in there.

I downloaded http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/8.0.0/amd64/iso-dvd/debian-8.0.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso
whose integrity I checked using sha512sum, sha256sum and md5sum. I
also verifies gpg signatures for the same. So I am pretty sure I have
the official Debian 8.0 dvd1 iso.
I am stuck at how to create a separate partition to hold the firmware
files as mentioned in Debian Installation guide.

Yes, you have the official iso, but in order to obviate the difficulties
you're encountering, David is saying you have the option of downloading the
unofficial iso with the firmware included (that way you're off and
running to the races without further ado).

http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/8.0.0/amd64/iso-cd/firmware-8.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso

[Avinash Sonawane]

Post by Curt

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by David Wright
I'm not sure which iso you downloaded. If it was the netinst version
from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
take a look further down the page where there's a panel with a red
cross. Here you can get the netinst iso with firmware included within
it. bcm43xx-0.fw 96224 Jun 15 2014 is in there.

I downloaded http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/8.0.0/amd64/iso-dvd/debian-8.0.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso
whose integrity I checked using sha512sum, sha256sum and md5sum. I
also verifies gpg signatures for the same. So I am pretty sure I have
the official Debian 8.0 dvd1 iso.
I am stuck at how to create a separate partition to hold the firmware
files as mentioned in Debian Installation guide.

Yes, you have the official iso, but in order to obviate the difficulties
you're encountering, David is saying you have the option of downloading the
unofficial iso with the firmware included (that way you're off and
running to the races without further ado).
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/8.0.0/amd64/iso-cd/firmware-8.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso

I am sorry if I came as rude.

Yes. I am aware of the debian images with firmware included. The
reason why I don't want to use that I think they are netinstall images
only. And being a student in developing country I am afraid I can't
manage the internet needed for the installation. So I would be
thankful if you could suggest away to have a firmware work with amd64
dvd1 iso (which I got from a friend)

Thank you.

Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[Avinash Sonawane]

A new development:

Now I have managed to create a separate FAT partition using fdisk
which is holding the
firmware files. The reason why earlier I couldn't is because I used
default block values from fdisk.

Start partition at block more that size of iso - #debian IRC

Now installer to begins smoothly but it says no firmware was found
though I can see the damn firmware directory in newly created FAT
partition.

Any pointers?
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[Brian]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Now I have managed to create a separate FAT partition using fdisk
which is holding the
firmware files. The reason why earlier I couldn't is because I used
default block values from fdisk.
Start partition at block more that size of iso - #debian IRC

That is a good piece of advice. Thanks.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Now installer to begins smoothly but it says no firmware was found
though I can see the damn firmware directory in newly created FAT
partition.
Any pointers?

Do we assume the firmware files on the FAT partition are .deb packages?
Do you have an existing linux installation?

[Avinash Sonawane]

Post by Brian
Do we assume the firmware files on the FAT partition are .deb packages?
Do you have an existing linux installation?

Yes. all firmware files are .deb packages and yes currently I am using Ubuntu.
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Now I have managed to create a separate FAT partition using fdisk
which is holding the
firmware files. The reason why earlier I couldn't is because I used
default block values from fdisk.
Start partition at block more that size of iso - #debian IRC
Now installer to begins smoothly but it says no firmware was found
though I can see the damn firmware directory in newly created FAT
partition.
Any pointers?

It's difficult for me to figure out what you've ended up with.

Anyway, when you copy the iso file to /dev/sdb, I think you'll find
that the stick has two partitions, sdb1 is readonly ISO9660 and sdb2
is a vfat. You could try copying the drivers (like brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw)
into that vfat partition. I would copy that one, for example, both at
top level and under brcm. I think the firmware loader has a pretty
good look around for any files it wants.

Then, when you get to the stage that it asks for firmware, two things
might happen: it finds everything and carries on silently, or else
it stops and asks, in which case, VC4 should show you where it has
looked, which might help. (If it's scrolled off, then go to VC2 and
look at /var/log/syslog)

Cheers,
David.

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by Curt

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by David Wright
I'm not sure which iso you downloaded. If it was the netinst version
from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
take a look further down the page where there's a panel with a red
cross. Here you can get the netinst iso with firmware included within
it. bcm43xx-0.fw 96224 Jun 15 2014 is in there.

I downloaded http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/8.0.0/amd64/iso-dvd/debian-8.0.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso
whose integrity I checked using sha512sum, sha256sum and md5sum. I
also verifies gpg signatures for the same. So I am pretty sure I have
the official Debian 8.0 dvd1 iso.
I am stuck at how to create a separate partition to hold the firmware
files as mentioned in Debian Installation guide.

Yes, you have the official iso, but in order to obviate the difficulties
you're encountering, David is saying you have the option of downloading the
unofficial iso with the firmware included (that way you're off and
running to the races without further ado).
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/8.0.0/amd64/iso-cd/firmware-8.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso

I am sorry if I came as rude.

Not in the slightest rude.

I'm sorry I can't help you get the firmware onto the stick; it's
something I will need to do in the future but just haven't had time to
figure it out (so I was going to watch for replies to this thread).

But my workaround (to reduce bandwidth as much as I could) would be to
install with firmware-netinst as far as the first reboot and then use
the DVD you've got from then on.

I quite understand if even that amount of bandwidth is too much for you.

Cheers,
David.

[Avinash Sonawane]

Post by David Wright
But my workaround (to reduce bandwidth as much as I could) would be to
install with firmware-netinst as far as the first reboot and then use
the DVD you've got from then on.

But then won't Debian will be downloading all the packages from
internet while installing from netinst image? Can I use the existing
amd64 dvd1 iso then? (instead of downloading packages extract from the
dvd1 iso)

But then just to have a single 10MB firmware file is it really cool to
download the whole netinst image?
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[Curt]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
But then won't Debian will be downloading all the packages from
internet while installing from netinst image? Can I use the existing
amd64 dvd1 iso then? (instead of downloading packages extract from the
dvd1 iso)

Won't the dvd1 iso install to your usb stick without the firmware for your
wireless card? Then, let's say, if you've another usb stick with the
firmware on it, you'd copy that firmware to the correct location

/lib/firmware/brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw
/lib/firmware/brcm/bcm43xx_hdr-0.fw
/usr/share/bug/firmware-brcm80211/presubj
/usr/share/doc/firmware-brcm80211/changelog.gz
/usr/share/doc/firmware-brcm80211/copyright

At which point you'd be able to install via a package manager the relevant package
so that the package manager knows about it and updates it normally.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
But then just to have a single 10MB firmware file is it really cool to
download the whole netinst image?

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by David Wright
But my workaround (to reduce bandwidth as much as I could) would be to
install with firmware-netinst as far as the first reboot and then use
the DVD you've got from then on.

But then won't Debian will be downloading all the packages from
internet while installing from netinst image? Can I use the existing
amd64 dvd1 iso then? (instead of downloading packages extract from the
dvd1 iso)

Yes, though I have little experience of that. You could try putting
the DVD (if you've got it or can burn it) in the drive and seeing if
it will detect it at the appropriate point (Detect and mount CD-ROM).

The really tedious way, which I think works, is to copy deb files from
the DVD pool into /target/var/cache/archives using VC2 as early as
possible. AFAICT if the installer finds the debs already there, it
will gobble them up regardless, and not try to fetch them.

The problem is there are an awful lot if you wildcard them, and you
don't know which ones it wants so it pays to copy as much as you can
manage. Bear in mind you only have a simple shell so it helps to know
the DVD layout for wildcarding the files.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
But then just to have a single 10MB firmware file is it really cool to
download the whole netinst image?

Not really. I'm just tossing ideas about.

Cheers,
David.

[Curt]

Post by Curt
Yes, you have the official iso, but in order to obviate the difficulties
you're encountering, David is saying you have the option of downloading the
unofficial iso with the firmware included (that way you're off and
running to the races without further ado).
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/8.0.0/amd64/iso-cd/firmware-8.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso

Is it just me or is the option to install an alternative desktop
environment missing from the advanced options of both amd64 netinstall
isos ( official and firmware-unofficial)?

[Bob Proulx]

Post by Curt
Is it just me or is the option to install an alternative desktop
environment missing from the advanced options of both amd64 netinstall
isos ( official and firmware-unofficial)?

The desktop option has been added to the tasksel stage. It is a
better place for it.

# tasksel -t --new-install --list-tasks
u desktop Debian desktop environment
u gnome-desktop GNOME
u xfce-desktop Xfce
u kde-desktop KDE
u cinnamon-desktop Cinnamon
u mate-desktop MATE
u lxde-desktop LXDE
u web-server web server
u print-server print server
u ssh-server SSH server
u standard standard system utilities

Bob

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by David Wright

Post by Avinash Sonawane
I am trying to install Debian 8.0 on my system. While installing it
reported some firmware being missing (more specifically
brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw) so I downloaded the firmware files from
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/firmware/jessie/current/
I am using USB stick as an installation media which I accomplished using
$ dd if=<debian.iso_file_name> of=/dev/sdb bs=4M; sync

I'm not sure which iso you downloaded. If it was the netinst version
from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
take a look further down the page where there's a panel with a red
cross. Here you can get the netinst iso with firmware included within
it. bcm43xx-0.fw 96224 Jun 15 2014 is in there.

I downloaded http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/8.0.0/amd64/iso-dvd/debian-8.0.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso
whose integrity I checked using sha512sum, sha256sum and md5sum. I
also verifies gpg signatures for the same. So I am pretty sure I have
the official Debian 8.0 dvd1 iso.
I am stuck at how to create a separate partition to hold the firmware
files as mentioned in Debian Installation guide.

This is what I did:

http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/installer-i386/current/images/hd-media/boot.img.gz
I downloaded that (~40MB), and
zcat boot.img.gz > /tmp/boot.img
I mounted it (1GB)
mount /tmp/boot.img /mnt
and it looks very much like the /isolinux/ directory on the netinst
CD. It has one kernel and two initrds, a text and a gtk one,
corresponding to the files which accompany boot.img.gz at the website.

I copied my installation iso file and the drivers that I use
cp -i .../foo.iso .../driverfoo.fw .../drivebar.fw /mnt/
then unmounted it and copied it to a stick
cp -i /tmp/boot.img /dev/sdX

Then I booted with that stick as normal. This only works if the iso
fits into the remainder of the 1GB "partition"---except it's not
actually a partition: the stick will mount thus
mount /dev/sdX /mnt
and not
mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt

Cheers,
David.

[Avinash Sonawane]

Present Situation:

I have made another USB port working so now I am using 2 USB sticks.
One as debian 8.0 installation media and another to hold firmware .deb
packages.

But when I try to load the drivers in one of the installation steps it says:
"Detected removable media that is not a known driver media. Please
make sure that the correct media is inserted. You can still continue
if you have an unofficial removable media you want to use.
Unknown removable media. Try to load anyway?
1) No
2) Yes"

When I checked virtual terminal 4 I could see my hard drive partitions
(/dev/sdaX) got probed with /dev/sdb1 (the debian installation stick).
It looks like the installer is not checking /dev/sdc. But I am not
sure as I can only see a screenfull of messages with no apparent
scrolling mechanism.

Then I opted for Yes in above message. Then on next screen it said:
"No kernel modules were found. This probably is due to a mismatch
between the kernel used by this version of the installer and the
kernel version available in the archive.

If you're installing from a mirror, you can work around this problem
by choosing to install a different version of debian. The install will
probably *fail* to work if you continue without kernel modules

Continue the install without loading the kernel modules?
1) No
2) Yes"

Again no sign of probing /dev/sdc on tty4. Seeing the fail message I opted No.

So what's going on?
Is debian installer really probing /dev/sdc and finding firmware files
there as expected or do I need to mount/unmout it manually?
After saying No in "continue install without loading kernel modules"
step, the firmware got loaded correctly or not? (Though this time it
didn't ask for brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw)

Please help.
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
I have made another USB port working so now I am using 2 USB sticks.
One as debian 8.0 installation media and another to hold firmware .deb
packages.
"Detected removable media that is not a known driver media. Please
make sure that the correct media is inserted. You can still continue
if you have an unofficial removable media you want to use.
Unknown removable media. Try to load anyway?
1) No
2) Yes"
When I checked virtual terminal 4 I could see my hard drive partitions
(/dev/sdaX) got probed with /dev/sdb1 (the debian installation stick).
It looks like the installer is not checking /dev/sdc. But I am not
sure as I can only see a screenfull of messages with no apparent
scrolling mechanism.
"No kernel modules were found. This probably is due to a mismatch
between the kernel used by this version of the installer and the
kernel version available in the archive.

I'm not quite sure why it's been provoked into looking for kernel
modules rather than firmware files.

I've never tried to load 3rd party firmware as .deb packages. This
might be historical; I've stuck with the method that worked for me in
times past. So perhaps you should put just the firmware files that it
has asked for (when you first tried installing without any firmware
sticks) on an ordinary FAT stick.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Again no sign of probing /dev/sdc on tty4. Seeing the fail message I opted No.
So what's going on?
Is debian installer really probing /dev/sdc and finding firmware files
there as expected or do I need to mount/unmout it manually?
After saying No in "continue install without loading kernel modules"
step, the firmware got loaded correctly or not? (Though this time it
didn't ask for brcm/bcm43xx-0.fw)

As you've only recently got the second port working, my next step (as
well as using a FAT stick) would be to swap the two sticks. This will
confirm the second port is really working.

When you switch VCs, you can't scroll back any more. However, you can
press Return in VC2 (or 3) to get a shell and then type
more /var/log/syslog
to look at the VC4 messages with more (a crude form of less).

You can even mount your FAT stick on /mnt and copy files onto it.
BUT I would unmount it immediately afterwards. I haven't yet tested
whether the ability of linux to mount the same device in different
places allows the installer to mount the stick on /instmnt (or
whatever it's called) while you've got in mounted on /mnt.

Cheers,
David.

[Avinash Sonawane]

Finally I went ahead without the firmware files and installed the
Debian 8.0. And now it's working just fine! Perhaps due to the fact
that I selected the mirror and fetched packages from Internet (using
Ethernet) during installation.

My advice will be : Do not try to use firmware files at the time of
installation.

Though you'll follow the official Debian Installation Guide, "loading
firmware at the time of install" most probably not gonna work. First
you'll be posed with GPT error (with Gparted and Disks applications)
when you'll try to create a new FAT partition (as suggested in
Installation Guide). Then you'll think to use fdisk command line
utility to make you way and though you'll be able to create the
partition using fdisk, you'll be posed with missing kernel modules
message during installation and thus will leave you no choice but to
continue install *without* loading the firmware files.

In short though official Debian Installation Guide discusses about
loading the firmware files alongside the Debian installation image on
a single USB stick, the mechanism is most probably screwed up. Hope
that changes till next release.

Thank you for your help.

PS- If your Ethernet firmware is missing too (with wireless) then
first install the Debian and then download the firmware files using
another machine and then manually copy/configure the files in
installed Debian system.
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://rootkea.wordpress.com

[Lisi Reisz]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Finally I went ahead without the firmware files and installed the
Debian 8.0. And now it's working just fine! Perhaps due to the fact
that I selected the mirror and fetched packages from Internet (using
Ethernet) during installation.
My advice will be : Do not try to use firmware files at the time of
installation.

I echo that!

Post by Avinash Sonawane
In short though official Debian Installation Guide discusses about
loading the firmware files alongside the Debian installation image on
a single USB stick, the mechanism is most probably screwed up. Hope
that changes till next release.

It's been the case for at least some years. I have never manage to persuade
it to work.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Thank you for your help.
PS- If your Ethernet firmware is missing too (with wireless) then
first install the Debian and then download the firmware files using
another machine and then manually copy/configure the files in
installed Debian system.

I work round it by temporarily installing an old network card, install with
that and ethernet (old, so that there are free drivers in the kernel), sort
the other drivers out after installation, and remove the card. in the future
that may not work, of course, because of the new form formats of motherboards
and computers.

Lisi

[Charlie]

Post by Lisi Reisz

Post by Avinash Sonawane
My advice will be : Do not try to use firmware files at the time of
installation.

I echo that!

Post by Avinash Sonawane
In short though official Debian Installation Guide discusses about
loading the firmware files alongside the Debian installation image
on a single USB stick, the mechanism is most probably screwed up.
Hope that changes till next release.

It's been the case for at least some years. I have never manage to
persuade it to work.

I have been caught a few times. With a netinstall CD. The installer
couldn't find the wireless card.

I stay the installer at that point of starting to discover the
network, usually for the third time just in case it got it wrong the
first and second.

Download the .deb files for the hardware onto the USB stick [so easily
written but sometimes having to drive miles down the road to a
friends computer] point the installer to the port and allow it to load
it/them and continue with the install.

On one occasion, way back, installed through wireless. Then after the
install and first reboot, couldn't find the wireless card. Had to go
back to actually installing the .deb file. Then it was set.

It's always been a "phew" moment, heaps of stress and always a question
of: "will it work", till it's done.

I've never installed from a USB stick.

Just what I have found on a few installs.
Charlie
--
Registered Linux User:- 329524
***********************************************

Over the ages you have followed objects, never once turning
back to look within. Time slips away; months and years are
wasted. _____Kuei-Shan (771-854)

***********************************************

Debian GNU/Linux - Magic indeed.

-----------------------------------------------------

[Lisi Reisz]

Post by Charlie
It's always been a "phew" moment, heaps of stress and always a question
of: "will it work", till it's done.

Yes - I realised that I chickened out. I tried. But once it got stressful, I
just said "oh, blow this!" and reached for an old network card. That is just
so _easy_.

I did know that it might have been possible if I had blown enough gaskets in
the effort, which is why I didn't mention giving up until after the OP had
already done so.

Kudos to you for your persevereance. :-)

Lisi

[Brian]

Post by Charlie

Post by Lisi Reisz

Post by Avinash Sonawane
My advice will be : Do not try to use firmware files at the time of
installation.

I echo that!

Post by Avinash Sonawane
In short though official Debian Installation Guide discusses about
loading the firmware files alongside the Debian installation image
on a single USB stick, the mechanism is most probably screwed up.
Hope that changes till next release.

It's been the case for at least some years. I have never manage to
persuade it to work.

I have been caught a few times. With a netinstall CD. The installer
couldn't find the wireless card.

Switch with ALT-F2 to a console and check (ls -l) /lib/firmware exists
and holds the firmware file(s) for the device. Switch consoles with
ALT-F4. Unplug the device and plug it back in. The console should
display a USB disconnect and then discovery of a new USB device with
modules and firmware loaded.

Return to the main menu and configure the network again.

Post by Charlie
I stay the installer at that point of starting to discover the
network, usually for the third time just in case it got it wrong the
first and second.
Download the .deb files for the hardware onto the USB stick [so easily
written but sometimes having to drive miles down the road to a
friends computer] point the installer to the port and allow it to load
it/them and continue with the install.

The unofficial installer (netinst + non-free firmware) was put together
with the aim of avoiding having people drive a long way in the hot sun
or turning the house upside down looking for a network card. The choice
to use it exists.

[Stephen Allen]

Post by Brian
The unofficial installer (netinst + non-free firmware) was put together
with the aim of avoiding having people drive a long way in the hot sun
or turning the house upside down looking for a network card. The choice
to use it exists.

Indeed, which is what I had to use. All previous Debian installs, I was able to mount USB device and load needed firmware from it - The Jessie release is the only one so far that refused to see the external USB device. So, there is a problem with the installer as these reports would seem to suggest.

[Brian]

Post by Stephen Allen

Post by Brian
The unofficial installer (netinst + non-free firmware) was put together
with the aim of avoiding having people drive a long way in the hot sun
or turning the house upside down looking for a network card. The choice
to use it exists.

Indeed, which is what I had to use. All previous Debian installs, I
was able to mount USB device and load needed firmware from it - The
Jessie release is the only one so far that refused to see the external
USB device. So, there is a problem with the installer as these reports
would seem to suggest.

I've also not had the success I had with Wheezy when it comes to finding
and loading firmware for a wireless device. The method used changed
early on in the development cycle of the installer and I think the d-i
are aware of the problems. A point release might see them addressed.

[Lisi Reisz]

Post by Brian
The unofficial installer (netinst + non-free firmware) was put together
with the aim of avoiding having people drive a long way in the hot sun
or turning the house upside down looking for a network card. The choice
to use it exists.

Of course! It is great. But for a while it was quite diffficult to find. I
hasten to say, that it is easy to find now.

I used Kenshi Muto's install CD while it existed.

Lisi

[Brian]

Post by Lisi Reisz

Post by Brian
The unofficial installer (netinst + non-free firmware) was put together
with the aim of avoiding having people drive a long way in the hot sun
or turning the house upside down looking for a network card. The choice
to use it exists.

Of course! It is great. But for a while it was quite diffficult to find. I
hasten to say, that it is easy to find now.
I used Kenshi Muto's install CD while it existed.

Kenshi Muto's idea was taken up by Steve McIntyre to give us what we
have now. Personally I don't mind using the method described in another
mail; but it is hardly intuitive or obvious so the unofficial installer
is well worth some publicity.

[Brian]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Finally I went ahead without the firmware files and installed the
Debian 8.0. And now it's working just fine! Perhaps due to the fact
that I selected the mirror and fetched packages from Internet (using
Ethernet) during installation.
My advice will be : Do not try to use firmware files at the time of
installation.
Though you'll follow the official Debian Installation Guide, "loading
firmware at the time of install" most probably not gonna work. First
you'll be posed with GPT error (with Gparted and Disks applications)
when you'll try to create a new FAT partition (as suggested in
Installation Guide). Then you'll think to use fdisk command line
utility to make you way and though you'll be able to create the
partition using fdisk, you'll be posed with missing kernel modules
message during installation and thus will leave you no choice but to
continue install *without* loading the firmware files.
In short though official Debian Installation Guide discusses about
loading the firmware files alongside the Debian installation image on
a single USB stick, the mechanism is most probably screwed up. Hope
that changes till next release.

It is disappointing that the advice in the Installation Guide did not
work for you. However, all is not lost.

It was mentioned earlier that the image has a second partition which
could be used for holding firmware files. Unfortunately, the space
remaining on it (~30K) is probably not sufficient for even one file.
So a third partition has to created and you have to realise it must
start after the end of the first partition.

The installer will always use files in /lib/firmware. Extract the
needed ones from a .deb and put them on the third partition.

Boot. At the first screen switch to a console (ALT-F2). 'ls /dev/sdb*'
could help identify the third partition on the USB stick.

1. Mount this partition; e.g: mount -t vfat /dev/sdc3 /mnt

2. mkdir /lib/firmware

3. cp -r /mnt/* /lib/firmware

Proceed with the install.

[Avinash Sonawane]

Post by Brian
It is disappointing that the advice in the Installation Guide did not
work for you. However, all is not lost.
It was mentioned earlier that the image has a second partition which
could be used for holding firmware files. Unfortunately, the space
remaining on it (~30K) is probably not sufficient for even one file.
So a third partition has to created and you have to realise it must
start after the end of the first partition.

I created a partition using fdisk (gparted and disks give GPT error)
and that too just after the first partition (ignoring the default
block values provided by fdisk) but the installation bumped into "No
kernel modules found message"(see below or read the previous message
in this thread)

Post by Brian
The installer will always use files in /lib/firmware. Extract the
needed ones from a .deb and put them on the third partition.
Boot. At the first screen switch to a console (ALT-F2). 'ls /dev/sdb*'
could help identify the third partition on the USB stick.
1. Mount this partition; e.g: mount -t vfat /dev/sdc3 /mnt
2. mkdir /lib/firmware
3. cp -r /mnt/* /lib/firmware
Proceed with the install.

Seeing that using single USB stick to hold Debian installation files
and firmware files was not working I used 2 different USB sticks. One
for firmware and another for Debian. But then too the installer bumped
into "No kernel modules found stage"

"No kernel modules were found. This probably is due to a mismatch
between the kernel used by this version of the installer and the
kernel version available in the archive.

If you're installing from a mirror, you can work around this problem
by choosing to install a different version of debian. The install will
probably *fail* to work if you continue without kernel modules

Continue the install without loading the kernel modules?
1) No
2) Yes"

PS - see previous message in this very thread
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[Brian]

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by Brian
It is disappointing that the advice in the Installation Guide did not
work for you. However, all is not lost.
It was mentioned earlier that the image has a second partition which
could be used for holding firmware files. Unfortunately, the space
remaining on it (~30K) is probably not sufficient for even one file.
So a third partition has to created and you have to realise it must
start after the end of the first partition.

I created a partition using fdisk (gparted and disks give GPT error)
and that too just after the first partition (ignoring the default
block values provided by fdisk) but the installation bumped into "No
kernel modules found message"(see below or read the previous message
in this thread)

Forgetting completely about creating partitions on anything - is this
the behaviour when you boot from a USB stick which has had only the
DVD image put on it with dd/cat/cp?

[Avinash Sonawane]

Post by Brian

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by Brian
It is disappointing that the advice in the Installation Guide did not
work for you. However, all is not lost.
It was mentioned earlier that the image has a second partition which
could be used for holding firmware files. Unfortunately, the space
remaining on it (~30K) is probably not sufficient for even one file.
So a third partition has to created and you have to realise it must
start after the end of the first partition.

I created a partition using fdisk (gparted and disks give GPT error)
and that too just after the first partition (ignoring the default
block values provided by fdisk) but the installation bumped into "No
kernel modules found message"(see below or read the previous message
in this thread)

Forgetting completely about creating partitions on anything - is this
the behaviour when you boot from a USB stick which has had only the
DVD image put on it with dd/cat/cp?

Yes. I followed the official Debian Installation Guide which asked to
use dd. Even then gparted reported the GPT error.
"Error: The backup GPT table is not at the end of the disk, as it
should be. This might mean that another operating system believes the
disk is smaller. Fix, by moving the backup to the end (and removing
the old backup)?" I went along the suggested "fix" options but
couldn't create another partition. -- The very first message of this thread
--
Avinash Sonawane (RootKea)
PICT, Pune
http://www.rootkea.wordpress.com

[Brian]

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by Brian

Post by Avinash Sonawane

Post by Brian
It is disappointing that the advice in the Installation Guide did not
work for you. However, all is not lost.
It was mentioned earlier that the image has a second partition which
could be used for holding firmware files. Unfortunately, the space
remaining on it (~30K) is probably not sufficient for even one file.
So a third partition has to created and you have to realise it must
start after the end of the first partition.

I created a partition using fdisk (gparted and disks give GPT error)
and that too just after the first partition (ignoring the default
block values provided by fdisk) but the installation bumped into "No
kernel modules found message"(see below or read the previous message
in this thread)

Forgetting completely about creating partitions on anything - is this
the behaviour when you boot from a USB stick which has had only the
DVD image put on it with dd/cat/cp?

Yes. I followed the official Debian Installation Guide which asked to
use dd. Even then gparted reported the GPT error.
"Error: The backup GPT table is not at the end of the disk, as it
should be. This might mean that another operating system believes the
disk is smaller. Fix, by moving the backup to the end (and removing
the old backup)?" I went along the suggested "fix" options but
couldn't create another partition. -- The very first message of this thread

You may be misunderstanding me. If you put your DVD-1 image on a stick
with dd again and boot, do you get the "No kernel modules found message"
message?

[David Wright]

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Finally I went ahead without the firmware files and installed the
Debian 8.0. And now it's working just fine! Perhaps due to the fact
that I selected the mirror and fetched packages from Internet (using
Ethernet) during installation.
My advice will be : Do not try to use firmware files at the time of
installation.

I think you need to qualify that advice.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
Though you'll follow the official Debian Installation Guide, "loading
firmware at the time of install" most probably not gonna work. First
you'll be posed with GPT error (with Gparted and Disks applications)
when you'll try to create a new FAT partition (as suggested in
Installation Guide). Then you'll think to use fdisk command line
utility to make you way and though you'll be able to create the
partition using fdisk, you'll be posed with missing kernel modules
message during installation and thus will leave you no choice but to
continue install *without* loading the firmware files.

If you copy the netinst iso file to a stick following method 4.3.1, I
would agree that adding a third partition can be tricky. However,
fdisk does the job because it allows you to set the start of the
partition and defaults to a sensible number.

It seems from what you've written here that you may have already
damaged the existing partitions before you thought to use fdisk. This
may be the cause of your "missing kernel modules".

However, the firmware installation still seems to fail because d-i
tries to mount /dev/sdX and finds it busy (not surprisingly since
/dev/sdX1 is the mounted CD image of the installation system).
It doesn't then try mounting /dev/sdXN, N=2,3,...

OTOH using a second USB stick works, and I have also verified that
using an SD card works too which can be useful on a laptop. I hadn't
tried that before. So it's just the combined installation/firmare on a
single stick that fails. Just make sure the firmware files are at the
top-level, not inside zip/deb files.

On yet another hand, if the non-free firmware is in the iso that's
further down https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/debian-installer/
by the red cross, then that works ok.

Post by Avinash Sonawane
In short though official Debian Installation Guide discusses about
loading the firmware files alongside the Debian installation image on
a single USB stick, the mechanism is most probably screwed up.

Not if you use the one method that works ok: 4.3.2.
This is the method that unpacks hd-media/boot.img.gz
where it does help to know that that is downloadable from
http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/installer-i386/current/images/hd-media/boot.img.gz
as outlined in https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2015/04/msg01768.html
The limitation is that the iso must fit in the 1GB partition so it's
best suited to netinst rather than DVDs.

(My next challenge is installing on a machine that requires a driver
in ndiswrapper.)

Cheers,
David.