Install Mandriva Linux 2009.1 Powerpack using Custom Install Option

From the Boot screen choose Install then confirm CDROM drive to use

Choose Language or Multi languages if your system requires it

NOTE: You can use a mouse or Tab, spacebar and Enter Keys – Ctrl+Tab get you out of a help section

You have to Accept the Licence if you want to continue

At the Install/Update Screen select Install

Choose keyboard layout – if not listed tab or click More

Partitioning choices are,

use free space
use existing
Erase and use entire disk
Custom disk partitioning

NOTE: partitioning a hard drive is destructive and usually irreversible resulting in Data loss on that drive

Free space – Automatic partitioning of any blank space on the drive. If selected there will be no further prompts

Existing partitions – Partitions detected will be used. You can choose mount points and to format or preserved them

Use entire disk – all date will be erased

Custom – you build your own layout, mount points, file system, swap area, root, home, etc.

Here I use existing because the drive is the way I want it and will format all partituins.

Use existing

Choose mount points – here the wizard detects the current layout, size, mount, file system. I have a root and a separate home partition – Next to continue

Formatting – the wizard will choose to format the root (/) by default. I require that home be formatted to so I mark the /home partition

The advanced tab will check the drive for bad blocks

Package Group Selection

Choose None unless you have a supplementary installation medium to configure

Desktop Selection Screen



If you a supplementary medium insert it as required or instructed if via Internet.



Choices are KDE ( similar look and fee to a Windows desktop) GNOME ( similar look and feel to a Mac OS desktop  Custom Install (This option allows you to specify each package group and application you want to install).



Custom

Here is where the tire meets the road – you can have a Full Desktop,  a minimal on e or none at all other than a command line drive Linux. Other Desktop Environments available are,  AfterStep,
Blackbox,
Fluxbox,
GNOME,
IceWM,
KDE,
LXDE,
Openbox,
WMaker,
Xfce

So  this is where you can choose your graphical environment. You must select at least one if you want to have a graphical interface available or you can have all of them.

For a minimal install you simply not check packages you do not want. It will pull in minimal X and basic documentations.

I choose  individual package selection and nothing else.



Un-check automatically selected packages this disables the information that appears whenever the installer automatically selects a package to resolve a dependency  The installer can figure it out in order to complete an installation.

The floppy disk Icon allows you to save and later load a package list if you are installing on other systems.

Then un-check automatically selected package am ready to choose.

Type of install mark X and basic documentation. Truly will give you a command line install, no Desktop.

Select  your Desktop, then scroll through the list and mark what you do  want,  must have are marked and notes it as so. Some are nice to have,  important etc,. Once you have what you want to pull in check install. After install, root and User accounts are required, then if any third party drivers are available you may  install them, same for update, next is Monitor list, Vendor and Model,  look through the list, if it is not listed then try a Generic.

Next is the Summary List, view this list and make changes if required or they can be done later. e.g, timezone, Country, keyboard, security etc.

Update: Usually are so yes here.





First sector of drive (MBR) is the safest place



Summary Screen

Visit each Tab review and change is required. All may be changed later.

A system reboot is required and then you get to take a survey and register your product or create one.

Updates – If you have an active Internet connection, allow updates

After update are downloaded and Install a System Reboot is required. DISC ejects – remove and press Enter to Reboot

When the System restarts there is a couple things to do

If you have an account you can enter it here or create a new one or Decline. You do not have to take the Survey.

Welcome to you NEW Mandriva Desktop

A new KDE 4 desktop is the most obvious change in, and is the first time I'm seeing being a GNOME  it looks great. but There are others the latest Firefox and OpenOffice.org. Installation and management tools are simple  and there's support for netbook devices. A great OS  for both Linux newbies and seasoned users alike.

John James Inkpen
jji07@telus.net