3.2. ¡Haga copias de seguridad de su información actual!

Before you start, make sure to back up every file that is now on your system. If this is the first time a non-native operating system is going to be installed on your computer, it is quite likely you will need to re-partition your disk to make room for Debian GNU/Linux. Anytime you partition your disk, you run a risk of losing everything on the disk, no matter what program you use to do it. The programs used in the installation of Debian GNU/Linux are quite reliable and most have seen years of use; but they are also quite powerful and a false move can cost you. Even after backing up, be careful and think about your answers and actions. Two minutes of thinking can save hours of unnecessary work.

Incluso si está creando un sistema con arranque múltiple, asegúrese de tener disponible el medio de distribución de cualquier otro sistema operativo presente. Aunque habitualmente no sea necesario, hay casos en los que debe reinstalar el gestor de arranque del sistema operativo para arrancar el sistema, o en el peor de los casos reinstalar el sistema operativo completo y restablecer la copia de seguridad creada anteriormente.