(Answer) (Category) Linux on PowerPC FAQ-O-Matic : (Category) Distributions : (Category) Net:Debian GNU/Linux for PowerPC :
Basic Debian Installation Instructions
These are Basic Installation Instructions for getting Debian for PowerPC up and running, they require a functional Linux/PPC installation and a spare partition.
1). What to download: 
 Get the base2_2.tgz file from ftp.debian.org in this directory:
 /debian/dists/sid/main/disks-powerpc/2.1.8-1999-02-24
2). Mount a blank, formatted ext2fs partition into your current Linux/PPC environment. As an example, let's say the partition is in /mnt
3). Untar the base2_2.tgz file into /mnt: 
        tar -zxpf base2_2.tgz -C /mnt
4). Chroot into the Debian base system we're building. 
        chroot /mnt /bin/bash
        now we're effectively using the Debian distribution rather than
        Linux/PPC
5). run the dselect command and choose to configure unconfigured packages. Not all packages will work the first time, if you run it again everything but the timezones should get setup right.
6). exit the chrooted shell with the exit command - now we're back at the LinuxPPC prompt and can access it's files as well as Debian's
7). Make the following modifications to the configuration files: 
        A). cp /etc/fstab /mnt/etc/fstab  Set the root entry to the correct
          device, leave the swap, floppy, and cd entries unchanged, remove
          everything else.

        B). vi /mnt/etc/hostname  enter whatever name you prefer

        C). vi /mnt/etc/hosts enter 127.0.0.1   localhost

        If you don't have a fixed (ethernet, cable modem, etc.) network skip
        steps D and E

        D). vi /mnt/etc/resolv.conf enter info for your nameserver such as:
          search ibm.net 
          nameserver xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

        E). cp /mnt/usr/doc/sysvinit/examples/network /mnt/etc/init.d/network
          edit /mnt/etc/init.d/network to your liking
          chmod 755 /mnt/etc/init.d/network

        F). mv /mnt/sbin/unconfigure.sh /mnt/sbin/unconfigured.sh.orig
8). Now you're ready to boot the Debian base install. Point BootX or Quik at the appropriate partition and reboot - you should come up in debian, login as root with no password. Debian will walk you through an initial configuration sequence where you can setup users and passwords.
9). At this point you can start using apt & dpkg packaging tools to grab pieces of the Debian disto from ftp.debian.org (or a mirror) from the /debian/dists/potato/main/binary-powerpc directories. The newest set of x11 base packages is in http://powerpc.debian.org/~koptein/ rather than on the ftp site.
10). If you need to setup ppp use the /usr/sbin/pppconfig tool.
11). If you run into trouble just boot back into Linux/PPC, mount the Debian partition, and start fixing.
Please feel free to mail me with questions, or make any improvements to this section of the FAQ-O-MATIC.
This set of quick and dirty instructions is largely derived from some tips and tricks posted to the debian-powerpc mailing list by Murata Nobuhiro on Feb 23, 1999.

thedrick@netspace.org
-------------
Revision Log:
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created: thedrick@netspace.org  3/??/99
revised: thedrick@netspace.org  4/28/99
If you want to install via PPP, touch /mnt/root/ppp. Someone should really make a boot disk that has pppd on it.
wood0366@umn.edu
The base2_2.tgz file is no longer in "sid," it can be found (today, 17 Mar 2001) in
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/potato/main/disks-powerpc/current/
It should also be available on your neighborhood Debian mirror, the list of mirrors is at
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/README.mirrors.html
-John Palkovic
jpa@pobox.com
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