Starter Guide

Mandrake Linux 9.2

http://www.MandrakeSoft.com

by Camille Bégnis, Christian Roy, Fabian Mandelbaum, Joël Pomerleau, Vincent Danen, Roberto Rosselli del Turco, Stefan Siegel, Marco De Vitis, Alice Lafox, Fred Lepied, Nicolas Planel, Kevin Lecouvey, Christian Georges, John Rye, Robert Kulagowski, Pascal Rigaux, Frédéric Crozat, Laurent Montel, Damien Chaumette, Till Kamppeter, Guillaume Cottenceau, Jonathan Gotti, Christian Belisle, Sylvestre Taburet, Thierry Vignaud, Juan Quintela, Pascal Lo Re, Kadjo N'Doua, Mark Walker, Roberto Patriarca, Patricia Pichardo Bégnis, Alexis Gilliot, Arnaud Desmons, Wolfgang Bornath, Alessandro Baretta, Aurélien Lemaire, Daouda Lo, Florent Villard, François Pons, Gwenole Beauchesne, Giuseppe Ghibò, Georg Halfas, Florin Grad, Joël Wardenski, Debora Rejnharc Mandelbaum, Stew Benedict, David Baudens.

Legal Notice

This manual is protected under MandrakeSoft intellectual property rights. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the invariant sections being the section called “About Mandrake Linux”, with the front-cover texts being listed below, and with no back-cover texts. A copy of the license is available on the GNU site.

Front-cover texts:

MandrakeSoft September 2003
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 by MandrakeSoft S.A. 
and MandrakeSoft Inc.

Mandrake”, “Mandrake Linux” and “MandrakeSoft” are registered trademarks of MandrakeSoft S.A.; Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds; UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Tools Used in The Making of This Manual

This manual was written in XML DocBook. The set of files involved were managed using Borges. The XML source files were processed by xsltproc, openjade and jadetex using a customized version of Norman Walsh's stylesheets. Screen shots were taken using xwd or GIMP and converted with convert. All these software are available on your Mandrake Linux distribution, and they are all free software.

September 2003


Table of Contents

Preface
About Mandrake Linux
Contact Mandrake Community
Join the Club
Purchasing Mandrake Products
Contribute to Mandrake Linux
About this User Guide
Note from the Editor
Conventions Used in this Book
Typing Conventions
General Conventions
I. Installing Mandrake Linux
1. Installation Warning
2. Before Installation
Configuring your BIOS
Creating a Floppy Boot Disk
Creating a Boot Disk Under Windows
Creating a Floppy Boot Disk Under GNU/Linux
Supported Hardware
What Is Not Supported
3. Installation with DrakX
The Mandrake Linux Installer
Choosing Your Language
License Terms of the Distribution
Configuring your Mouse
Installation Class
Configuring the Keyboard
Security Level
Selecting the Mount Points
Choose Partitions to Be Formatted
Choose Packages to Install
Choose Package Groups to Install
Choose Individual Packages to Install
Multiple CD-ROM Installation
Root Password
Adding a User
Installing a Bootloader
Check Miscellaneous Parameters
Summary
Time Zone Options
Configuring X, the Graphical Server
Configure your Network
Installing a Bootloader
Setup of The Bootloader Entries
Selecting Available Services at Boot Time
Installing Updates from the Internet
It's Finished!
How to Uninstall Linux
II. Discover
4. Migrating to Linux from Windows®/Mac OS X®
Where's my...?
Start Menu
Applications
Control Panel/System Preferences
DOS Shell
Network Neighborhood
C: Drive
CD-ROM Drive
Floppy Disk Drive
My Documents
A Brave New World!
A Multi-User Environment
Multiple Tasking
Multiple Desktops
Full Desktop Customization
Thousands of Free Applications
No More Reboots!
5. Linux for Beginners
Introduction
The Bootloader Menu
Getting Ready for your Session
Beginning your Session
Identifying Yourself
The First Time Wizard
Some Notes About Security
Using your Graphical Environment
The Mandrake Linux Desktop
Accessing Programs
Opening a Window on the Desktop
Managing Windows and Desktops
Personalizing your Desktop
Closing your Session
6. Where to Get Documentation
The Documentation Included with Mandrake Linux
MandrakeSoft's Own Documentation
The Man Pages
Info Pages
HOWTOs
The /usr/share/doc Directory
Internet
Web Sites Devoted to GNU/Linux
Mailing Lists
Newsgroups
General Guidelines for Solving a Problem under Mandrake Linux
Search the Internet
Mailing Lists and Newsgroups Archives
Questions to Mailing Lists and Newsgroups
Directly Contacting the Person in Charge
Mandrake Business Services
7. Using KDE
Discovering the K Desktop Environment
The Desktop
The Panel
Virtual Desktops
Personalizing your Desktop
Changing your Desktop's Appearance
Managing Desktop Icons
KDE Help System
KDE Sessions
8. Using GNOME
GNOME Overview
GNOME Panel
Desktop Menu
Personalizing GNOME
Configuring your Desktop
Configuring the Panel
Workspace Switcher
Getting Help
III. Using the Internet
9. Surfing with Mozilla
Mozilla Interface
Surfing the Web
Using the Sidebar
Managing Bookmarks
Tabbed Browsing
Installing Plugins
JAVA
Flash
Real
Password Management
10. Mail Client: Mozilla
Launching Mozilla Messenger
Configuring Mozilla Messenger
Account Type
Account Identity
Mail Servers
Account User Name
Identifying the Account
Account Summary
Mozilla Messenger Interface
Composing a Message
Organizing Your Mail Messages
Folders and Filters
Dealing With Spam
Secure Messages Transmission
IV. Use
11. Office Work
Word Processors
What Is a Word Processor?
OpenOffice.org Writer
Using the Word Processor
Going Further
Conclusion
Spreadsheets
What Is a Spreadsheet?
OpenOffice.org Calc
Using the Spreadsheet
Going Further
Conclusion
Presentations
What Is Presentation Software For?
OpenOffice.org Impress
Building Presentations
Going Further
Conclusion
File Managers: Konqueror and Nautilus
Main Window
Sidebars
Copying, Moving, Linking and Deleting Files
Browsing Web Pages
File Sharing
Printing and Faxing from Applications
Accessing KPrinter
KPrinter's Interface
Building PDF Files
Sending Faxes
Multi-Function Printers
12. Audio, Movie And Video Applications
Audio Applications
Using XMMS
Using Aumix
Movie Applications
Introduction
Xine
MPlayer
Other Movie Applications for Linux
13. Graphics Tools And Practical Devices
Digital Photo Cameras
Configuring a Digital Photo Camera
Manipulating and Transferring Pictures to the Computer
Photographic Settings, Storage Media
Installing and Using Scanners
Getting Started
Advanced Configuration
Other Scanner Interface Software
CD Burning
Getting Started
Burning Data CDs (CD-ROMs)
Burning Audio CDs (CDDA)
Duplicating a CD
Erasing CD-RW media
Final Notes
Webcams And Video Conferencing
Getting Started
Connecting with Another User
Connecting with ILS (NetMeetingTM) Users
V. Advanced Uses
14. Introduction to the Mandrake Control Center
What's in DrakConf
The drakbug Bug Reporting Tool
15. Configuration: Boot Section
DrakFloppy: Creating a Boot Disk
Using DrakFloppy
DrakBoot: Changing your Boot-Up Configuration
Configuring the Bootloader
Configuring the Login Mode
DrakAutoInst: Creating a Boot Disk for a (Semi-)Automated Installation
16. Configuration: Hardware Section
HardDrake: Configuring your Hardware
Introduction
Problems/Troubleshooting
Other Information
Controlling the Graphical Configuration
Configure your monitor
Change your screen resolution
XFDrake: Full-Configuration Video Tool
KeyboardDrake: Changing your Keyboard Layout
MouseDrake: Changing Your Mouse
PrinterDrake: Configuring Printers
The Printer Configuration Wizard
Reconfiguring an Existing Printer
Expert Mode
17. Configuration: Mount Points Section
DiskDrake: Managing your Hard Drive Partitions
The Interface
DiskDrake's action buttons
From Theory to Practice: Resizing an Old Partition And Creating a New One
Managing Removable Devices
Importing Remote SMB Directories
Importing Remote NFS Directories
Partition Sharing: Allow Users to Share Directories
18. Configuration: Network & Internet Section
DrakConnect: Configuring Network and Internet Connections
DrakGw: Configuring Your Machine as a Gateway
19. Configuration: Security Section
DrakSec: Securing Your Machine
Setting your Security Level
Customizing a Security Level
DrakPerm: Control File Permissions
DrakFirewall: Securing your Internet Access
20. Configuration: System Section
MenuDrake: Customizing your Menus
Adding a New Menu Entry
Advanced Features
DrakXServices: Configuring Start-Up Services
DrakFont: Managing The Fonts Available on Your System
Set Date and Time
LogDrake: Searching Through The Log Files
Access to the Console
UserDrake: Managing Users and Groups on Your System
The Interface
Adding a New User
DrakBackup: Backup and Restore your System and Personal Files
A Practical Example Using the Wizard
Restoring Backups
Automating Periodic Backups
Other DrakBackup Options
21. RpmDrake: Package Management
Install Software
Searching packages
Mandrake choices
All packages, alphabetical
All packages, by group
All packages, by size
All packages, by selection state
All packages, by medium repository
All packages, by update availability
Remove Software
Mandrake Update
The Software Media Manager
Package Management through the Command Line
Installing and Removing Packages
Media Management
Tricks and Recipes
22. Troubleshooting
Introduction
A Boot Disk
Creating a Boot Floppy with Drakfloppy
Testing the Boot Disk
Backup
Why Backup?
Preparing your System
What to Backup?
Where to Backup?
When to Back Up?
Backup Example Using tar
Restore
Restore Example Using tar
Making a Recovery CD-ROM
Problems Arising at Boot Time
System Hanging during Boot
File-System Check on Boot Fails
X Doesn't Start
Boot-Loader Issues
Boot-Loader Reinstall
Backing Up and Restoring the MBR
File System Issues
Repairing a Damaged Super-Block
Recovering Deleted Files
Recovering from a System Freeze
Killing Misbehaving Apps
From the Console
Using Graphical Monitoring Tools
Miscellaneous
Mandrake's Specific Troubleshooting Tools
Final Thoughts
Index

List of Figures

2.1. The Rawrite Program
3.1. Very First Installation Welcome Screen
3.2. Available Installation Options
3.3. Choosing the Default Language
5.1. The Login Window
5.2. The Pull-Down Session Type List
5.3. The First Time Wizard
5.4. The KDE Desktop
5.5. The GNOME Desktop
5.6. Application Menu for KDE and GNOME
5.7. KDE and GNOME File Managers
5.8. Buttons for Virtual Desktops
5.9. Moving a Window to Another Desktop
5.10. Maximizing Windows
5.11. Minimizing Windows
5.12. The Task Bar under KDE and Tasklist under GNOME
5.13. Closing a Window
5.14. KDE Log-Out Confirmation
5.15. Logging Out Using the Pop-Up Menu under KDE
7.1. The KDE Desktop
7.2. The KDE Panel
7.3. Changing KDE's Color Scheme
7.4. Changing KDE's Background Wallpaper
7.5. KDE Help Center Main Window
8.1. GNOME Desktop
8.2. GNOME Window List
8.3. Adding a Launcher Icon to your Desktop
8.4. Panel Properties
8.5. Workspace Switcher Properties
9.1. Mozilla Browser Interface
9.2. What's Related and Search Tabs
9.3. Bookmarks and History Tabs
9.4. Bookmarks Manager Dialog
9.5. Mozilla's Browser Tabs
9.6. Enter your Login and Password
9.7. Passwords Preferences Dialog
9.8. Manage Stored Passwords Dialog
9.9. Master Passwords Preferences Dialog
10.1. Launching Mozilla Messenger from the Left-Bottom Toolbar
10.2. Creating an Electronic Mail Account
10.3. Giving Some Information About Yourself
10.4. Which are Your Mail Servers?
10.5. Which is Your User Name?
10.6. Giving the Account a Name
10.7. Mail Account Configuration Summary
10.8. Mail Client Interface
10.9. The Message-Compose Window
10.10. The Filter Creation Window
10.11. Junk Mail Control Options
10.12. GPG Key Generation Options
11.1. OpenOffice.org Writer's Main Window
11.2. Text Columns Options Dialog
11.3. Table of Contents
11.4. Rows, Columns and Cells
11.5. OpenOffice.org Calc's Main Window
11.6. Simplifying Data Entry Using Auto-Completion
11.7. Using a Function in a Formula
11.8. Choosing the Chart Type
11.9. A 3D Chart Inside the Spreadsheet
11.10. Selecting a Slide Template
11.11. OpenOffice.org Impress' Main Window
11.12. Entering Chart Data
11.13. Konqueror and Nautilus
11.14. KPrinter Window
11.15. Printer Properties Window
11.16. Changing Printer Resolution
11.17. More Printing Settings
11.18. Generating a PDF File
11.19. Faxing Main Window
11.20. Fax Settings
12.1. XMMS Main Window
12.2. XMMS Main Window with Equalizer and Playlist
12.3. Loading Files into XMMS
12.4. Options Menu
12.5. XMMS Preferences Window
12.6. aRts Soundserver with KDE
12.7. XMMS Skins Browser
12.8. Chaos Skin
12.9. Using WinAMP Skins with XMMS
12.10. Opening the Connection Information for a Streaming Channel
12.11. Aumix Application
12.12. Aumix View Menu
12.13. Xine's Control Window
12.14. MPlayer's Control Window
13.1. Configuring the Camera Connection
13.2. Information About a Picture
13.3. The Scanner Icon on the Desktop
13.4. Install your Scanner with ScannerDrake
13.5. The Tree-list of All Known Scanner Models
13.6. Specifying the Connection Type
13.7. xscanimage, a Basic But Effective Acquisition Program
13.8. Sharing Scanners within a LAN
13.9. XSane Multiple Windows And ScannerDrake Icon on Desktop
13.10. K3B's Interface
13.11. Selecting the ISO Image to Write to CD
13.12. Setting Writing Parameters
13.13. Selecting Files/Directories to Include on the CD
13.14. CD Ripping Options
13.15. Selecting Audio Tracks to Include on the CD
13.16. Setting Copy CD Options
13.17. Setting CD-RW Blanking Options
13.18. GnomeMeeting's Main Window
13.19. Setting Audio Levels for GnomeMeeting
13.20. Setting Video Levels for GnomeMeeting
13.21. Video Conferencing with a Remote Party
13.22. Finding People on ILS Servers
14.1. The Control Center Icon
14.2. The Control Center's Main Window
14.3. Reporting a bug With DrakBug
15.1. Making a Custom Boot Disk
15.2. Choosing the Boot Mode
15.3. Choosing the Steps to Replay
16.1. HardDrake –– Selected Device
16.2. Choosing a New Monitor
16.3. Choosing a New Video Resolution
16.4. Video Configuration Menu
16.5. Text or Graphical Login?
16.6. Choosing a Different Keyboard Layout
16.7. Choosing a Different Mouse
16.8. Managing Printers
16.9. Auto-Detecting Printers
16.10. The Printer Port
16.11. Multi-Function Device
16.12. Choosing a Name for your Printer
16.13. Choosing the Printer Model
16.14. Configuring the Printer's Options
16.15. Test the Printer
16.16. Modifying an Existing Printer
16.17. Configuring a Remote Printer
17.1. DiskDrake's Main Window
17.2. The /home Partition Before Resizing
17.3. Choosing a New Size
17.4. Defining The New Partition
17.5. The New Partition Table
17.6. Confirming The Writing of The Partition Table
17.7. Changing a Criterion
17.8. Scanning The Whole Network
17.9. Choosing The Machine to Import Files From
17.10. Authenticate on a remote Samba server
17.11. Choosing The Remote Directory to Import
17.12. Where to Make Remote Files Accessible
17.13. Choosing the Export Protocol
17.14. Controlling Exports
18.1. Connecting to the Internet
18.2. Choosing the Internet Connections to Configure
18.3. Configuring the Internet Connection
18.4. Try the Internet Connection
18.5. Choosing the Internet Interface
18.6. Choosing The LAN Network Adapter
18.7. Configuring The LAN Interface
18.8. Configuring a Client To Use DHCP
19.1. Choosing the Security Level of your System
19.2. Modifying Standard MSEC Options
19.3. Configuring File Permission Checks
19.4. Adding a File Permissions Rule
19.5. The DrakFirewall Window
20.1. Launching MenuDrake in System or User Mode
20.2. MenuDrake's Main Window
20.3. Adding a New Menu Entry
20.4. A New Menu Entry with MenuDrake
20.5. Choosing a Menu Style
20.6. Choosing The Services Available at System Start-Up
20.7. drakfont's Main Window
20.8. Date and Time Changing
20.9. Browsing And Searching Through System Logs
20.10. The Users List in userdrake
20.11. Adding a New User in The System
20.12. Affect Users to a Group
20.13. Main DrakBackup Window
20.14. Selecting What to Backup
20.15. Selecting Where to Store the Backup
20.16. Setting Optical Media Parameters
20.17. Review Configuration Parameters
20.18. Backup Progress Dialog
20.19. Choosing the Restore Type to Perform
20.20. Daemon Options Window
20.21. Miscellaneous Options Window
21.1. Software Management in the Mandrake Control Center
21.2. The Software Packages Installation interface
21.3. RpmDrake –– dependency alert box
21.4. RpmDrake –– package alternatives
21.5. The Software Media Manager
21.6. RpmDrake –– adding a Media
21.7. RpmDrake –– managing keys
21.8. RpmDrake –– configuring a proxy

List of Tables

8.1. GNOME Desktop Icons
8.2. GNOME Panel Objects
9.1. Mozilla's Web Browser Toolbar Buttons
10.1. Mozilla Messenger's Toolbar Buttons
10.2. Message Compose Window's Toolbar Buttons
10.3. Enigmail Toolbar Buttons
11.1. Suggested Styles
11.2. Graphics Tools
11.3. Konqueror Sidebar Icons
13.1. K3b's Toolbar Buttons
13.2. GnomeMeeting's Toolbar Buttons
14.1. A Fast Review of Mandrake Graphical Tools