Re: Debian

[David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com>]

On 01/28/2016 03:00 AM, K K wrote:
> Which version of Debian would you recommend to install on my computer?
> Sony VAIO SVE1712C1E
...

First, backup all of your data and take a binary image of the HDD.  Make 
two extra copies of the backups and of the image, and store one copy of 
each off-site.


I agree with the suggestion of trying a Debian Live distribution.  I 
prefer the previous release of Debian, "Wheezy", with the Xfce desktop. 
 There are other choices, too.  Your processor is 64-bit:

    http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/7.9.0-live/amd64/bt-hybrid/

    http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/7.9.0-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/

The current release ("Jessie") images are here:

    http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/bt-hybrid/

    http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/


Debian Live has features for persisting data between boots, but the 
documentation currently seems to be off-line (?).


If and when you're ready to install Debian, Windows 8 64-bit implies 
that the computer has UEFI firmware and Secure Boot.  So, you will have 
to figure out how to turn off Secure Boot and enable the BIOS 
Compatibility Support Module (CSM):

    https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch03s06.html.en#UEFI


I would install Debian on a USB 3.0 drive and keep the Windows disk 
untouched -- a working Windows disk is a useful tool that is worth 
keeping.  The definitive solution is replacing the HDD with an SSD and 
installing Debian onto the SSD.


David