6.3.6 Install a package into an unbootable system
Boot into Linux using a Debian rescue floppy/CD or an alternative partition in
a multiboot Linux system. See
Booting the
system, Section 8.1. Mount the unbootable system on /target
and use the chroot install mode of dpkg.
# dpkg --root /target -i packagefile.deb
Then configure and fix problems.
By the way, if a broken lilo is all that prevents booting, you can
boot using a standard Debian rescue disk. At boot prompt, assuming the root
partition of your Linux installation is in /dev/hda12 and you want
runlevel 3, enter:
boot: rescue root=/dev/hda12 3
Then you are booted into an almost fully functional system with the kernel on
floppy disk. (There may be minor glitches due to lack of kernel features or
modules.)
