3.1 QEMU

Locate the path where you put the ISO image of the net install CD. We'll assume this is C:\debian-netinst.iso (the actual filename is long, rename it so it is easier to handle).

Locate the path where you want to put the hard disk image. Note that the hard disk image should be put onto a drive that is portable and writeable. For portability, I suggest that you use a flash drive for this purpose.

Start a command line interface (CLI). Change directory to where QEMU is installed. Type the following command to create a file that will become Debian's main hard disk:

qemu-img create e:\debian.img 1G

Copy the original batch file as follows:

copy qemu-win.bat qemu-deb.bat

Edit the new file, qemu-deb.bat as follows:

• Add the option -boot d to boot from ``CD''.
• Add the option -cdrom c:\debian-netinst.iso to let the emulator know where to find the ISO image of the net install CD.
• Change the option -hda ... to -hda e:\debian.img.
• Save the file.

That's it! Whenever you want to start the installation of Debian as a guest OS in QEMU, just enter qemu-deb in the QEMU directory.