4 CPU cores
A sensible starting point for VM testing, particularly when the system is also indexing a music collection.
INSTALLATION GUIDE
Start listening. Keep it simple.
A beginner-friendly route to installing Brimstone Core on a supported Intel or AMD 64-bit computer or full virtual machine.
THE PLATFORM
Before you start.
Prepare the disk and hardware first. Core is an operating system installer—not an application you install over your existing Debian setup.
8 GB RAM
Recommended for testing; the lower 4 GB target is still being qualified with large libraries.
128 GB OS disk
96 GB minimum dedicated system disk. Installation erases the disk you explicitly select.
SIX BASIC STEPS
Install Brimstone Core.
- Check the computer
The ISO supports x86-64 (Intel/AMD). On a Mac, check whether your processor is Intel or Apple Silicon; an Apple Silicon Parallels VM does not run this image as a native ARM guest.
- Download the correct ISO
Get the published QA106 ISO or the explicitly marked RC15 installer-fix candidate from the Downloads page, along with its checksum.
- Create a full virtual machine or boot USB
Set up a dedicated 128 GB virtual/system disk. On a VM use a virtual CD/DVD drive with the ISO attached.
- Run the installer
Boot from the ISO, follow the local setup prompts, and carefully select only the intended OS disk. Never select a music or backup disk.
- Remove the installation media
Once complete, power down or restart as instructed, disconnect the ISO, then boot from the installed system disk. Do not accidentally boot the installer again.
- Finish setup and add your music
Open Core, complete administrator setup and configure music disks/network shares and an audio output. Existing Core owners should use the updater instead of reinstalling.
RC15 installer caution: Its installer-restart and inherited VM-only media-mount faults were targeted, but a complete fresh install, installed native GUI and reboot acceptance have not yet passed. Use a disposable VM or spare OS disk, not your only working system.