# Debian 12.11 Installation & Setup Guide on 2010 Mac ## 1\. Installer Type Choose **Graphical install** for a user-friendly interface. If it freezes or hangs, try **Install** (text mode). ## 2\. Stuck at “Installing standard system utilities”? - Check USB stick integrity or reflash ISO. - Try text installer if graphical freezes. - Use full DVD ISO instead of netinst ISO for offline install. - Boot with kernel option `noapic` if needed. ## 3\. Package Selection Screen Frozen or Can't Continue? - Use keyboard navigation: `Tab` to move, `Space` to select, `Enter` to confirm. - If still stuck, switch to **Text Installer**. - Minimal install: uncheck everything and install desktop environment later. ## 4\. Recommended Packages for 2010 Mac - Check `Debian desktop environment`, choose `XFCE` or `LXQt` for lightweight desktop. - Uncheck heavy desktops like GNOME or KDE. - Keep `standard system utilities` checked. ## 5\. Recommended Display Manager Use `lightdm` for XFCE or LXQt. Lightweight and stable. ## 6\. Post-Installation: First Steps 1. Update system: ``` sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y && sudo apt full-upgrade -y ``` 2. Enable non-free repos: Edit `/etc/apt/sources.list` to include: ``` deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware ``` 3. Install essential utilities: ``` sudo apt install git curl wget neofetch ufw unzip build-essential p7zip-full ``` 4. Enable firewall: ``` sudo ufw enable sudo ufw status verbose ``` 5. For laptops: install power management tools: ``` sudo apt install tlp sudo systemctl enable tlp --now ``` ## 7\. Fix “user is not in sudoers file” Error 1. Switch to root with `su -`. 2. Add your user to sudo group: ``` usermod -aG sudo yourusername ``` 3. Reboot or re-login. 4. If no root password, reboot in recovery mode and remount root as rw to fix sudoers. ## 8\. Keyboard Copy-Paste on Debian - In GUI apps: `Ctrl+C` and `Ctrl+V` - In terminal emulators: `Ctrl+Shift+C` and `Ctrl+Shift+V` - In pure tty: use mouse select + middle-click or `Shift+Insert` to paste ## 9\. Ensure Wi-Fi Works (Broadcom b43 chipset) 1. Identify chipset: ``` lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 network ``` 2. Install firmware: ``` sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer ``` 3. If package not found, fix sources.list (see next step). 4. Reboot and test: ``` nmcli device wifi list iwconfig ``` ## 10\. Fix Sources.list to Enable Non-Free Firmware 1. Edit sources list: ``` sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list ``` 2. Replace contents with: ``` deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware ``` 3. Save and run: ``` sudo apt update ``` 4. Install firmware: ``` sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer ``` 5. Reboot and verify Wi-Fi. ## 11\. Install VS Code on Debian 12 1. Install dependencies: ``` sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https wget gpg ``` 2. Import Microsoft GPG key: ``` wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > packages.microsoft.gpg sudo install -o root -g root -m 644 packages.microsoft.gpg /usr/share/keyrings/ rm packages.microsoft.gpg ``` 3. Add VS Code repo: ``` echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/packages.microsoft.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/code stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list ``` 4. Update and install: ``` sudo apt update sudo apt install code ``` 5. Run VS Code: ``` code ``` ## 12\. Optional VS Code Tips - Recommended extensions: Python, ESLint, Prettier, GitLens - Disable GPU acceleration on older Macs for better performance: 1. Open Command Palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P`) 2. Search “Preferences: Configure Runtime Arguments” 3. Add `"disable-hardware-acceleration": true` and restart ## 13\. Useful Utilities and Recommendations - Install Network Manager GUI for Wi-Fi: ``` sudo apt install network-manager network-manager-gnome ``` - System info tool: ``` sudo apt install neofetch ``` Run `neofetch` for system details. - Appearance themes for XFCE: ``` sudo apt install arc-theme papirus-icon-theme xfce4-goodies ``` - Enable firewall with `ufw`: ``` sudo apt install ufw sudo ufw enable sudo ufw status ``` --- Feel free to ask for scripts, automation, or help with any step!