:: MepisPrinter Setup

Log on as Root before installing your printer..

:: MepisUpdate Mepis with Synaptic

:: MepisPost Install

Configure your sound system.


Adjust Control Panel Defaults.

:: Signposts to MepisScreen Shots of the Install - II

:: Signposts to MepisScreen Shots of the Install - I

:: Introducing GAG.THE GRAPHICAL BOOT MANAGER

Hi with more than one OS you need a boot manager.

I was using XOSL.

This is an attractive and very powerful application.

But as it needs its own FAT partition, I decided to see if I could replace it.

Thanks to a comment left on one of the big download sites, I tested out "GAG" (nice name :0)



GAG is GPL'd and does everything I need.



GAG installs itself in the first track of the hard disk.
GAG presents a list of partitions to choose from.
GAG can boot an OS located on a second disk.

I booted the Mepis CD and used Mepis to burn the supplied ISO image of GAG to CD.

In Mepis simply right click on the ISO file > choose actions > burn to disk.

You then need to reboot from the GAG CD & Install.

This is a well designed piece of software, very cool.

:: A diversion on my journey:Backup, Backup, Backup.

Before installing Mepis to my hard drive I needed to investigate a replacement for my previous backup solution.

Note: The view of your disks depends on the application you are using; view the next screen shots to see what I mean.

I label my partitions "0-Name" or "1-Name", depending on which disk they are on, so I don’t get confused.

XP Explorer, "My Computer":

XP properties of "My Computer" > "Manage":

And my favourite, PartitionMagic:

I use an imaging application religiously to image the partitions on my harddrive.

Over the years this has given me peace of mind if things went wrong ;)

I even save the images to another harddrive so that a harddrive crash wont be a disaster.

The problem was that it's support for the Linux ext3 file system was limited, so it had to go.

After doing some research, I decided to go with "Acronis True Image".

Testing it I found that this application has raised the bar on speed and ease of use. Translation: Very Cool :)

It can even image the system partition without having to reboot!

So I now have a full disk image of my harddrive "just in case".

I would recommend you to do the same, not because of Mepis , rather the fact that there are two types of computer user:

Those who have not had a harddrive crash... yet

and

Those who have had a harddrive crash... and are waiting for the next one.

Nope that’s not a joke... I mean it.

I really enjoy my computing and I like experimenting with new apps & operating systems.

The only way to do this and not get frustrated, when they corrupt your system, is to backup.

:)
In my next post I get back on the main road to Mepis.

:: "Each Journey starts with a first step."Download MEPIS Linux.

My first step was prompted by a recommendation for Mepis on Groklaw. I love that site, its polite, informative and authoritative :)

Here is what Mepis.com says:

"Why SimplyMEPIS Linux?

• SimplyMEPIS allows you to test and try the software before you install to your harddrive
• SimplyMEPIS includes the very best business and multimedia programs
• SimplyMEPIS features unique hardware detection and configuration superior to any others
• SimplyMEPIS is pre-configured for simplicity and ease of use, you're productive in a matter of minutes, not hours."

Use the default link for a list of download sites or go here.

Below are the files I downloaded with FlashGet:

SimplyMEPIS-3.3.1-1.iso 699918 KB 12/06/2005 05:04:00 SimplyMEPIS-3.3.1-1.iso.md5sum 1 KB 12/06/2005 01:23:00

I used winMd5Sum to confirm that the image was valid (that's what the md5 file is for), then burned it to CD with Nero.

Now the fun begins, just pop the CD into your workstation and restart (Make sure to set the BIOS to boot from CD first).

Once it has went through some bootup checks you will be asked to log on.

To log on choose "demo" and enter the password "demo" (or root & root).

You now have a working Linux desktop enjoy!

Very cool :)

That’s all for this part of my “Mepis Journey”.