Install OBLinux
This guide walks you through installing OBLinux 26.3.0 from start to finish: download the ISO, put it on a USB drive, start your computer from that drive, and run the installer. The Debian and Arch editions install the same way.
You will need
- A 64-bit PC (x86_64)
- A USB drive of 8 GB or more. It will be erased.
- About 30 minutes
Back up first. Installing with Erase disk removes everything on the disk you choose, including any other operating system.
Step 1: Download the ISO
The ISO is the installer image. Pick the edition you want.
Downloading from SourceForge
OBLinux ISOs are hosted on SourceForge, and both editions are downloaded the same way. On the Files tab, open the folder for the edition you want: OBLinux-Debian-ISO or OBLinux-Arch-ISO.
Inside, open the folder with the newest version number (for example 26.3.0) and click the file ending in .iso to download it. The .sha256 file next to it is only needed if you want to check your download (see below).
Optional: check your download
This confirms the ISO downloaded completely and was not altered. Download the matching .sha256 file into the same folder as the ISO (usually Downloads), then:
Open PowerShell (search for it in the Start menu) and run:
cd $HOME\DownloadsGet-FileHash oblinux-*.isoOpen the .sha256 file in Notepad. The long string at the start must match the Hash PowerShell printed (capital or lowercase letters don't matter).
Tip: if you use 7-Zip, you can instead right-click the ISO → 7-Zip → CRC SHA → SHA-256.
Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities) and run:
cd ~/Downloadsshasum -a 256 -c oblinux-*.sha256If the result says OK, the download is good.
Open a terminal and run:
cd ~/Downloadssha256sum -c oblinux-*.sha256If the result says OK, the download is good.
You can skip this step: balenaEtcher checks the USB drive after writing it and only reports Flash Completed! if the copy is correct.
Step 2: Create a bootable USB drive
Use the free balenaEtcher app to write the ISO to a USB drive.
Everything on the USB drive will be erased. Copy off anything you want to keep first.
Get balenaEtcher
Download the Windows installer from etcher.balena.io, run it, then open balenaEtcher from the Start menu.
Download the macOS version from etcher.balena.io, open the .dmg and drag balenaEtcher into Applications. macOS will ask for your password when it writes to the drive.
Download the Linux AppImage from etcher.balena.io. Right-click it → Properties → allow it to run as a program (or run chmod +x balenaEtcher-*.AppImage), then double-click to start it.
Write the ISO: three clicks
balenaEtcher works the same on every system.
Flash from file. Click it and choose the OBLinux
.isoyou downloaded.Select target. Tick your USB drive and click Select 1. Check the name and size so you don't pick the wrong drive.
Flash! Writing and checking the drive takes a few minutes.
Flashing… Flash Completed!: the drive is ready
On Windows, a popup may say the drive needs to be formatted. Click Cancel. Windows can't read the Linux drive, and that's normal.
Step 3: Boot from the USB drive
Plug the USB drive into the computer you are installing on, turn off Secure Boot, then start the computer from the USB drive.
First, turn off Secure Boot
OBLinux won't start while Secure Boot is on, so turn it off before you boot from the USB drive. Restart the computer and open its BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by tapping F2 or Del right after power-on). Find Secure Boot, usually under a Security, Boot or Authentication tab, set it to Disabled, then save and exit. OBLinux is tested on UEFI computers with GPT disks.
Intel Macs with the Apple T2 chip: start up holding Command (⌘) + R, open Utilities → Startup Security Utility, choose No Security and Allow booting from external media.
Open the boot menu
Turn the computer on (or restart it) and immediately tap the boot-menu key over and over until a menu appears. Then choose the USB drive. It is often listed by brand, e.g. USB: SanDisk or UEFI: ….
| Manufacturer | Boot menu key | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dell | F12 | |
| HP | F9 (or Esc, then F9)Esc opens the Startup Menu. | Esc opens the Startup Menu. |
| Lenovo | F12 (Fn + F12)Some IdeaPads use the small Novo button (pinhole) instead. | Some IdeaPads use the small Novo button (pinhole) instead. |
| ASUS | Esc (laptops) · F8 (desktops) | |
| Acer | F12May need "F12 Boot Menu" enabled in BIOS setup (F2) first. | May need "F12 Boot Menu" enabled in BIOS setup (F2) first. |
| MSI | F11 | |
| Gigabyte | F12 | |
| Apple (Intel Macs) | Hold Option (⌥)Apple silicon (M-series) Macs are not supported. | Apple silicon (M-series) Macs are not supported. |
Keys vary by model. If none of these work, check the message on screen as the computer starts, or your manufacturer's support site. If the computer goes straight into Windows, use Windows' own route: hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Use a device.
Start the live system
When the OBLinux menu appears, choose the first entry and press Enter. On the Debian Edition that's Live system (amd64). If the screen then stays black, restart and choose the fail-safe mode entry instead.
After a minute you'll be on the OBLinux live desktop. You can try things out here, but nothing is installed yet. To install, double-click Install OBLinux on the desktop.
Step 4: Install OBLinux
The installer asks a few questions and then does the rest. Click Next to move between pages.
Welcome
Choose your language and click Next.
Location
Click your region on the map or pick Region and Zone from the menus. This sets your time zone, language and date/number formats.
Keyboard
Pick your keyboard layout. Type in the test box at the bottom to make sure the keys match.
Partitions
Choose the disk at the top (Select storage device), then Erase disk. This deletes everything on that disk. The bar at the bottom shows the result. Only choose Manual partitioning if you already know how to lay out partitions yourself.
Users
Enter your name, a username, a name for this computer and a password. The screenshot uses example values (
OBLinux User,oblinux,oblinux-pc). Use your own.Summary
Check everything, especially the Partitions section: it names the disk that will be erased. If something is wrong, click Back. When you are sure, click Install.
OBLinux Debian 26.3.0: clicking Install starts the installation immediately. There is no second confirmation, so double-check the disk before you click. A confirmation prompt is planned for the next Debian Edition release.
Confirm
On the Arch Edition, a final Continue with Installation? prompt appears. Click Install Now to start.
Installing
OBLinux copies files and sets up your system. This usually takes a few minutes. Leave the computer on and the USB drive plugged in.
Finished
Leave Restart now checked and click Done. Remove the USB drive while the computer restarts. If you are asked to remove it and press Enter, do that.
First login
Your computer now starts OBLinux from its own disk.
Click your name and enter the password you chose in the installer.
The first time you sign in, the Let's Begin welcome tour opens to show you around. That's it. OBLinux is installed.
Need help?
Check Announcements for known issues, visit the SourceForge project, or email info@oblinux.com.