I recently switched from Windows to Linux Mint Debian Edition and have used ZeroTier for several years to play multiplayer games. When I tried to install it, I ran into an operating-system detection error that appears to be specific to LMDE. The suggested fix involves downloading the installer script, editing a line so it recognizes the system as Debian, and then running the modified script. I'm very new to Linux and don't understand the instructions yet. Is this safe and realistic for a beginner, and could someone explain the process step by step in simple terms?
3 Answers
There may be a more correct fix than forcing the ID to Debian. The installer appears to maintain mappings for different Linux Mint releases, translating their release names to the matching Debian or Ubuntu repository name. With LMDE, choosing the wrong mapping could add an incompatible repository and install unsuitable packages. Before changing anything, check which LMDE/Debian release you are running and verify that the repository name in the script matches it. If you’re unsure, it would be safer to use a package or installation method officially supported for your LMDE version rather than blindly applying the workaround.
The workaround should ideally be reported to the software’s installer maintainers so LMDE can be handled automatically in a future version. For a temporary solution, editing a downloaded copy is safer than modifying a system file, but be aware that the installer may add a software repository. If you only need a virtual network for games, alternatives such as Tailscale or a direct WireGuard setup might also be worth investigating, depending on what the games support.
Yes, it’s basically possible at a beginner level, but don’t pipe the installer directly into the shell because you need to inspect and edit it first. Download the script to your current folder with:
`curl -s https://install.zerotier.com > install-zt.sh`
Open `install-zt.sh` in a text editor, find the line that checks whether the system ID is Debian or Raspbian, and add this line immediately before it:
`ID="debian"`
The relevant section should look like this:
`source /etc/os-release`
`ID="debian"`
`if [ "$ID" == "debian" ] || [ "$ID" == "raspbian" ]; then`
Save the file, then run it with:
`chmod +x install-zt.sh`
`sudo ./install-zt.sh`
This makes the script treat LMDE as Debian so it can continue. However, read through the script first and make sure you understand that it will install software with administrator privileges.
The confusing part was where the script came from, but I realized it was just downloaded into the folder where I ran the curl command. I was able to find it afterward.
That makes sense. I’ll check the LMDE version and the script’s repository mapping instead of assuming every Mint release should use the same value.