Thank you for purchasing Mandriva Flash.
This document will help you get started with your new Mandriva Flash mobile desktop in three easy steps:
You will also be able to use Mandriva Flash from a computer running on Microsoft® Windows to access some of the best open source software:
Finally you will be able to use Mandriva Flash to install Mandriva Linux 2009 permanently onto your main PC:
Tou will find links to:
Note: on some systems, you may need to press a key to choose the boot device or configure the BIOS boot device precedence. Refer to the next section for instructions on configuring the BIOS.
When Mandriva Flash loads for the first time, you are asked to choose some preferences.
Note: It is advised to select a keyboard that is widely available in your region, so you will be able to be able to use the product on as many PCs as possible. Still, if you use the product on an unknown keyboard, you can easily change this preference, as explained below.
Note: you can also create another personal account if you wish to share this key with another person. Or else simply click on “Next”.
Important note: once you have chosen your preferences, all settings will be stored on the key and you will not have to repeat these steps.
Welcome to Mandriva Linux!
With Mandriva Flash you now have a full Linux operating system with office, Internet and multimedia tools, and even games.
All the software runs directly from the key. You store your personal data on the same key with all settings and bookmarks following you when you move to another place. With Mandriva Flash, any computer can be turned into your personal desktop in a flash.
Check that the network is connected by looking for a small plug icon or WiFi indicator in the system tray (next to the clock on the bottom right of your screen).
In most cases, your Mandriva Flash key should have detected the available network devices and connected to whatever public networks are accessible.
To configure network access, right-click on this same network indicator and choose “Configure network” and follow the guidelines.
You can now hit the Internet with the Mozilla Firefox browser. Your bookmarks, cookies and passwords will follow you wherever you go with your key.
The 3D desktop acceleration features are integrated with your normal use of the desktop.
For example, if you use the normal Alt-Tab shortcut to switch between programs, you will see a nice slideshow of current programs, rather than just a row of representative icons. By pressing Ctrl-Alt-Left arrow or Ctrl-Alt-right arrow, you can switch between different desktops represented as faces of a cube. More shortcuts are listed on the Mandriva product web site.
Each time you connect to a PC while on the go, you can enjoy your own music. Start the Amarok music player to listen to music in a range of formats including Ogg Vorbis and MP3.
Mandriva Flash is pre-configured with a large FAT32 partition (750MB by default). This exchange partition is visible both from your Linux desktop and from Microsoft® Windows. This partition is a very simple way to exchange data with the host computer.
Using Mandriva Flash, you can easily take benefit of the best of open source and access your data without rebooting computer. Just plug in the key to a computer running Microsoft® Windows and you will be given the opportunity to run an application launcher located on the key. The following functions are available:
If you try Mandriva Flash on your main computer and think you'd like to make it your permanent environment, you can install it! This new version of Mandriva Flash makes it very easy to install Mandriva Linux onto your PC in a few clicks.
Start the installation by clicking on the desktop icon.
Installing Mandriva Linux on your PC works by copying the system from the USB key onto your machine. This operation has three main steps:
You can now restart your system and remove the USB key. You will have then to customize your new system.
After the first reboot, you will follow eight steps to set up your preferences on this newly installed system:
When you install Mandriva Linux from the Flash, for data security reasons, you cannot transfer existing user accounts from the Flash. You must create a new account. If desired, you can then copy data from the Flash key to your new user account.
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is used to setup hardware devices and then boot an operating system on the PC platform.
On most systems, you should press the 'Del' key to enter BIOS settings while the system is booting up (during the memory test). Other vendors use the 'ESC' key or the 'F2' key to access the BIOS. IBM/Lenovo machines also have a 'blue' Access/ThinkVantage key that you can use to access the BIOS configuration screen. If none of these keys work, refer to the PC manufacturer manual for specific instructions.
Go to the page 'BIOS Features Setup' (also sometimes called 'Advanced BIOS Features' or 'Boot Options') and set the flash drive as 'First Boot Device'. You can see your computer or motherboard manual for instructions on how to use the BIOS configuration screen.
If the computer that you are trying to use does not support direct USB boot, Mandriva Flash contains a CD-ROM image to help you start the product on such systems. The image file is located on the exchange partition, along with this document. Refer to the section below if you need help for burning the CD-ROM.
To boot Mandriva Flash using a CD-ROM, follow these steps:
Note: on some systems, you may need to press a key to choose the boot device or configure the BIOS boot device precedence. Refer to the previous section for instructions on how to configure your BIOS.
To create this boot CD you have to burn the ISO image provided on your Mandriva Flash key. This file is about 3MB in size and is located on the exchange partition, along with this document.
You can burn the image either on a CD or on a DVD. You will need a CD burning software such as K3b (Linux) or Nero® (Microsoft® Windows).
Take care not simply to copy the ISO file to the blank CD/DVD. Instruct your application to write the ISO file to the disc as an image file. The appropriate command is labeled as "burn image" or “write image file” in most applications.
You can change your Mandriva Flash preferences from the 'Mandriva Control Center'. To launch the 'Control Center', click on the 'Mandriva Star' menu, go to the 'System menu', go to the 'Configuration menu', and click on 'Configure Your Computer'.
For further information, consult the FAQ or Mandriva documentation, such as the “Getting started guide” available on the Mandriva web site.
Like all Mandriva product, we have designed Mandriva Flash to be easy to use for new Linux users. However, should you need further assistance for starting or using the product, there are several sources of information and support available to help you.
You can find general information about the product at: http://www.mandriva.com/en/product/mandriva-flash.
A list of frequently asked questions about the product can be consulted at: http://www.mandriva.com/en/product/mandriva-flash.
Mandriva maintains a list of compatible hardware in the Mandriva Hardware Database. Go to http://hcl.mandriva.com for further information.
Mandriva community is the official Mandriva users'group. The Mandriva community forums and Knowledge Base are invaluable sources of help and information for Mandriva Linux users. Find out more about the Mandriva community at http://www.mandriva.com/en/community/start or http://wiki.mandriva.com.