yes. you can either install packages individually with dpkg (which will be tedious and annoying) or you need to configure apt to look for packages on the cdrom. according to the debian web page, the easiest way to do that is: https://wiki.debian.org/SourcesList#CD-ROM CD-ROM If you'd rather use your CD-ROM for installing packages or updating your system automatically with APT, you can put it in your /etc/apt/sources.list. To do so, you can use the apt-cdrom program like this: # apt-cdrom add with the Debian CD-ROM in the drive. You can use -d for the directory of the CD-ROM mount point or add a non-CD mount point (i.e. a USB keydrive). dunno if the CD has to be mounted first or not. craig