Debian minimum install with no GUI

[KrzysztofK4]

Hi,
Is there a way to have Debian installed on Parallels with custom configuration and obviously no GUI? I installed the one out of the box, but I was unable to choose what I wish to have installed and that contains many useless stuff like XWindow, Office, etc.

 

[marcusharris]

Hi,
Is there a way to have Debian installed on Parallels with custom configuration and obviously no GUI?

hi, Debian (Bullseye) uses Init. This can be configured manually after install like any GNU/Linux. If you don't want the X server to start, don't start it... you can always start it manually later if you like. Sometimes the GUI will lock on startup (which is a pain) requiring shutdown or reset and restart. Having the system boot without X is good in that you can get to the system and start working , if most of what you do is in a terminal.
marcus

 

[marcusharris]

Hi,
Is there a way to have Debian installed on Parallels with custom configuration and obviously no GUI?

hi again,
You also have the option of NOT using the desktop, GUI... even though it is installed.
At the login prompt DONT logon.
Press Cntl + Alt + F3
You will be taken to a black screen "virtual" terminal, where you can logon with your userid and password; desktop not necessary, nor a problem.

If you're in Parallels, on a mac, then there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.
Cntl is the Control key
option is the Alt key
the function keys F1 - F6 must be set in settings to be "Function Keys" or you'll get the mac functions rather than the virtual terminals.
To use the function key as mac key, use the (fn) button with the key.

You have six virtual terminals in Debian (most GNU/Linux distributions). If the GUI is installed F1,F2, F7 have special uses, especially if the GUI is logged on. If the GUI is NOT logged on you can use F2 - F6 virtual terminals, at the same time... just use the function keys to switch between them.

marcus