Here is a quick start in order to check and install Mandriva Linux on your system and enjoy it. ***** Before starting ***** Look for Boot sequence or First boot device in the BIOS' features setup, and set the CD-ROM as the first boot device. Required configuration for Mandriva Linux installation is: * Processor: Any Intel, AMD or VIA processor * RAM : 512MB minimum, 1GB recommended * Hard disk: 2GB minimum, 6GB recommended * Graphics card: NVIDIA, ATITM, Intel, SiS, Matrox,VIA. 3D desktop functionality requires an NVIDIA GeForce (up to 8800), ATITM Radeon 7000 to HD 3870, or Intel i845 to x4500HD. 3D acceleration is supported on most capable hardware. For more details, check the hardware compatibility database * Sound cards: All Sound Blaster, AC97 and HDA compatible cards are supported. (Note: Creative Labs X-Fi cards are not currently supported.) * SATA, IDE, SCSI, SAS : most controllers are supported in non-RAID mode, and some are supported in RAID mode Make sure that all your hardware is connected to your computer and powered on during the installation. Printers, modems, scanners and joysticks are just a few examples of peripherals which Mandriva installer can automatically detect and configure as Mandriva Linux is being installed. Mandriva Linux can handle a large number of hardware devices, and the list is far too long to be quoted exhaustively. You may consult an up-to-date list of supported hardware on the Mandriva_Linux_Hardware_Database web site. ***** Co-existing with other operating systems ***** You can install Mandriva Linux alongside other operating systems, such as Windows, or other versions of Linux. Have the documentation for those OSes handy and make sure you: * Backup existing data. This is always the safest choice to ensure no data is lost. * Defragment the disk . This is mostly needed with all variants of Windows. Linux file systems have very little fragmentation, so there is no need to defragment them. * Make room for Mandriva Linux. 10 GB can be enough depending on what you want to do with it. Note that the installer itself can resize existing installations of Windows and Linux without the risk of losing data. Once Mandriva Linux is installed, and the system is restarted, a menu appears from which you can select the operating system to start: use the arrow keys to highlight the one you want, then press Enter to boot it. If you upgrade from 2009 Spring, 2010 Mandriva Linux versions, do not forget to backup your system. Upgrading from earlier versions (prior to 2008 Spring) is not supported. In that case, you need to do a fresh installation and not an update. ***** Main steps of installation ***** 1. Insert your Installation CD or DVD and reboot your system. 2. Press when the Mandriva Linux welcome screen appears and carefully follow the instructions. 3. When the installation is complete take out install media when ejected; your system will reboot. If it does not, restart it manually. 4. Mandriva Linux will start. After bootup, you can login on your machine under the user account setup during install, or as "root". The "root" account will give you unrestricted access to your Linux system. Do not use it except to configure or administer Linux. For every day use, use a normal user account which you can configure with the "userdrake" tool, or with the commands "adduser" and "passwd". If something goes wrong during the first installation attempt, boot from the installation medium again, and depending on your problem, try one of the Fx options at the bottom of the screen. Select an option and press F1 to get more information about what that specific option does. Boot Options: this line contains the options passed on to the kernel that will be used for the selected action. Most machines don't require specific kernel options. ***** Other install ***** You can also install Mandriva Linux from network media (ftp, http). You will then only need a bootable image on CD to start install process and then switch to a network media. Burn boot.iso image and then boot from it. It supports all installations methods, cdrom, network, and hard-disk. You can also use a text mode installation if, for any reason, you have trouble with the default graphical installation. To use it, press at Mandriva Linux welcome screen, then type text at the prompt. ***** Troubleshooting ***** If you need to rescue your existing Mandriva Linux system, insert your Installation CDROM (or any relevant boot floppy), press at Mandriva Linux welcome screen, then type rescue at the prompt. ***** Additional support and information ***** For additional support, see the following: * E-Support * Check Mandriva_Linux_Errata * Check Mandriva_Linux_Security_Advisories * Complete On-line_Documentation * Read and join the On-line_Discussion_Forums * Join_the_Mailing_Lists ***** Languages ***** This howto is available in: * ENGLISH * FRANCAIS * NORSK_(BOKML) * AFRIKAANS * GAEILGE_(IRISH) * NORSK_(NYNORSK) * ALBANIAN * GALEGO * PERSIAN * ARABIC * GEORGIAN * POLISH * AZERI * GREEK * PORTUGUES_(BRAZIL) * BENGALI * HEBREW * PORTUGUES_(PORTUGAL) * BOSNIAN * HINDI * PUNJABI * BREZHONEG * HUNGARIAN * ROMANIAN * BULGARIAN * ICELANDIC * RUSSIAN * CATALA * BAHASA_INDONESIA * SARDU * CHINESE_(Simplified) * ITALIANO * SERBIAN * CHINESE_(Traditional) * JAPANESE * SLOVAK * CROATIAN * KIRGHIZ * SLOVENIAN * CZECH * KURDISH * SUOMI * DANSK * LATVIAN * SVENSKA * DEUTSCH * LITHUANIAN * TAJIK * ESPANOL * MACEDONIAN * TAMIL * ESPERANTO * MALAY * TURKISH * ESTONIAN * MALTESE * UKRAINIAN * EUSKARAZ * MONGOL * UZBEK * FILIPINO * NEDERLANDS * VIETNAMESE * WELSH