Chapter 2. Installing FreeBSD 9.`X` and Later
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## Chapter 2. Installing FreeBSD 9.`X` and Later

Restructured, reorganized, and parts rewritten by Jim Mock.
The sysinstall walkthrough, screenshots, and general copy by Randy Pratt.
Updated for bsdinstall by Gavin Atkinson and Warren Block.

## 2.1. Synopsis

FreeBSD comes with a text-based, easy to use installation program. FreeBSD 9.0-RELEASE and later use an installation program called bsdinstall, while releases prior to FreeBSD 9.0-RELEASE using sysinstall for installation. This chapter describes the use of bsdinstall. The use of sysinstall is covered in Chapter 3, Installing FreeBSD 8.`X`.

After reading this chapter, you will know:

- How to create the FreeBSD installation media.

- How FreeBSD subdivides and refers to hard disks.

- How to start bsdinstall.

- The questions bsdinstall will ask you, what they mean, and how to answer them.

Before reading this chapter, you should:

- Read the supported hardware list that shipped with the version of FreeBSD you are installing, and verify that your hardware is supported.

### Note:

In general, these installation instructions are written for i386™ (“PC compatible”) architecture computers. Where applicable, instructions specific to other platforms will be listed. There may be minor differences between the installer and what is shown here, so use this chapter as a general guide rather than as exact literal instructions.

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All FreeBSD documents are available for download at http://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD/doc/

Questions that are not answered by the documentation may be sent to <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.org>.
Send questions about this document to <freebsd-doc@FreeBSD.org>.