Mandriva

From

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Unofficial Mandriva Linux 2006 Starter Guide

This guide is being maintained by the Linux Center of University of Latvia and everyone else who is willing to contribute.

Contributors: orvils, ...


Contents


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General Notes

  • This is an Unofficial Mandriva Linux 2006 Starter Guide. It is not associated with the Mandriva company.
  • This guide is tested on a full desktop installation of Mandriva Linux 2006 with KDE as only Desktop manager (although, some GNOME applications are mentioned below!).
It is recommended to choose only one Desktop manager to avoid confusion when there are many similar programs that do the same thing.
  • If you see a bluish box, this means you have to execute the commands in Terminal mode (K Menu -> System -> Terminals -> Konsole) or use the content of that box as mentioned by some other instruction
Note: You must run these commands as root. Read #How to switch to root user in Console mode
Basically before you get to do anything you must type 
su
And enter your root password.
  • You must also add extra repositories to download programs and updates from.
Read #How to add extra repositories
  • To reduce typo mistakes, copy and paste the commands into Terminal mode (right click on the commands -> "Copy" / "Paste". You can also use Ctrl+C to copy and Shift+Insert to paste it)
  • If you do not want to work in Terminal mode read #How to install programs the easy way (Rpmdrake)
  • "urpmi" and "wget" requires Internet connection to install/update/download programs
  • If using "urpmi" you are asked about additional packages, answer Yes ("y")
  • We hope this guide will help you
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Getting Started

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What is Mandriva

  • http://wwwnew.mandriva.com/en/community/
  • http://distrowatch.com/mandriva
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Where to view Mandriva screenshots

  • http://wwwnew.mandriva.com/en/community/users/screenshots
[edit]

Where to download Mandriva

  • http://wwwnew.mandriva.com/en/downloads/mirrors
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Where to find help for Mandriva

  • Mandriva Club
  • User Documentation
    • Mandriva linux tips 4 free
    • PDR60's site
  • Mailing Lists
  • Web Forums:
    • Mandriva users' board
    • Linuxquestions Mandriva section
    • Mandriva Club forum
  • Wikis:
    • The Mandriva Community Wiki
    • The Mandriva Linux Development Community Wiki (Cooker)
    • MandrivaUsers Wiki
  • IRC Channels

Two IRC channels dedicated to the Mandriva Linux distribution are available on irc.freenode.net: 

     #mandriva -- this channel specializes in general topics for all Mandriva users, particularly newbies.
     #mandrivaguru -- this channel is where experienced users can go for help on more advanced topics
  • A brief list of Mandriva newsgroups and forums
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Where to look for new programs

  • http://wwwnew.mandriva.com/en/community/users/download
  • http://rpms.mandrivaclub.com/
  • http://www.kde-apps.org/
  • http://gnomefiles.org/
  • http://rpm.pbone.net/
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Where to look for style elements for your desktop

  • General theme sites:
    • http://themes.freshmeat.net/
  • Theme sites dedicated to a specific desktop enviroment:
    • http://kde-look.org/
    • http://www.kde.org/
    • http://gnome-look.org/
    • http://xfce-look.org/
  • Wallpaper sites:
    • http://www.shiftedreality.com/
    • http://www.socksoff.co.uk/walls05.html
    • http://www.caedes.net/
    • http://www.basehead.org/wallpapers/wallpapers.php
    • http://www.digitalblasphemy.com/
    • http://3ddesktops.co.uk/
    • http://wp.deviantart.com/
[edit]

How to add extra repositories

  • Use Easy Urpmi

I recommend to add at least main, contrib, plf-free and plf-nonfree.

[edit]

How to remove Installation CDs from media list 

urpmi.removemedia Installation Free CD
[edit]

How to update Mandriva 

urpmi --auto-select


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Add-On Applications

[edit]

How to install J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) with Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox 

wget -c http://www.mandrivaclub.nl/sources/official/2006/i586/j2re-1.5.0.7-1.2006mcnl.i586.rpm
rpm -i j2re-1.5.0.7-1.2006mcnl.i586.rpm
rm -f j2re-1.5.0.7-1.2006mcnl.i586.rpm
urpmi java-1.4.2-gcj-compat
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox
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How to install Flash Player (Macromedia Flash) Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox

  • Read #General Notes
  • Enter these commands and follow instructions on screen 
wget -c http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_7_linux.tar.gz
tar zxvf install_flash_player_7_linux.tar.gz
./install_flash_player_7_linux/flashplayer-installer
rm -rf install_flash_player_7_linux
rm -f install_flash_player_7_linux.tar.gz
  • or use rpm (see http://macromedia.mplug.org/) 
wget -c http://macromedia.rediris.es/rpm/mandrake/flash-plugin-7.0.63-1.i386.rpm
rpm -Uvh  flash-plugin-7.0.63-1.i386.rpm
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox
[edit]

How to install PDF Reader (Adobe Reader) with Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox 

wget -c http://ardownload.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/unix/7x/7.0/enu/AdobeReader_enu-7.0.1-1.i386.rpm
rpm -i AdobeReader_enu-7.0.1-1.i386.rpm
rm -f AdobeReader_enu-7.0.1-1.i386.rpm
kwrite /usr/share/applications/AdobeReader.desktop
  • Find this line 
Categories=Application;Office;Viewer;X-Red-Hat-Base;
  • Replace it with this line 
Categories=X-Mandrakelinux-Office-Publishing;
  • K Menu -> Office -> Publishing -> Adobe Reader
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How to install Download Manager (Downloader for X) 

urpmi d4x
  • K Menu -> Internet -> File Transfer -> Downloader for X
[edit]

How to install FTP Client (gFTP) 

urpmi gftp
  • K Menu -> Internet -> File Transfer -> gFTP
[edit]

How to install P2P BitTorrent Client (Azureus) 

wget -c http://www.mandrivaclub.nl/sources/official/10.0/i586/azureus-2.2.0.2-1mcnl.i586.rpm
rpm -i azureus-2.2.0.2-1mcnl.i586.rpm
rm -f azureus-2.2.0.2-1mcnl.i586.rpm
  • K Menu -> Internet -> File Transfer -> Azureus
[edit]

How to install P2P eMule Client (aMule) 

urpmi amule
  • Warning will appear, read it. To close it press "q"
  • K Menu -> Internet -> File Transfer -> aMule
[edit]

How to install Messenger (Skype) 

wget -c http://download.skype.com/linux/skype_staticQT-1.2.0.18.tar.bz2
tar jxvf skype_staticQT-1.2.0.18.tar.bz2 -C /opt/
ln -s /opt/skype-1.2.0.18/skype /usr/bin/skype
rm -f skype_staticQT-1.2.0.18.tar.bz2
cp /opt/skype-1.2.0.18/icons/skype_32_32.png /usr/share/icons/hicolor/32x32/apps/skype.png
exit
cp /opt/skype-1.2.0.18/skype.desktop ~/Desktop/skype.desktop
  • Look on your Desktop
or
  • K Menu -> Run Command...
  • Enter skype


OR 
wget http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-mdk
urpmi skype-1.2.0.21-1mdk.i586.rpm
  • K Menu -> Run Command...
  • Enter skype
[edit]

How to install Multimedia Codecs 

wget -c http://easylinux.info/uploads/codecs.tar.gz
tar zxvf codecs.tar.gz
./install.sh

OR 

urpmi win32-codecs

If you added plf to your mirrors.

[edit]

How to install DVD playback capability 

wget -c http://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.9/rpm/libdvdcss2-1.2.9-1.i386.rpm
rpm -i libdvdcss2-1.2.9-1.i386.rpm

OR 

urpmi libdvdcss2

If you added plf to your mirrors.

[edit]

How to install Multimedia Player (xine-ui) 

urpmi xine-ui
kwrite /usr/share/applications/xine.desktop
  • Insert the following lines into the new file 
[Desktop Entry]
Categories=Qt;KDE;Application;AudioVideo;Player;
Encoding=UTF-8
Exec=xine
GenericName=Media Player
Name=Xine
Terminal=false
Type=Application
  • Save file
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Video -> Xine
[edit]

How to install Multimedia Player (MPlayer) with Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox 

urpmi mplayer-gui
urpmi mplayer-skins
urpmi mplayer-fonts
urpmi mplayerplugin
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Video -> MPlayer
[edit]

How to install Multimedia Player (RealPlayer) 

wget -c ftp://ftp.pbone.net/mirror/ftp.mandrakeusers.com/pub/Commercial-9.1/RealPlayer-8.0-5mdk.i586.rpm
rpm -i RealPlayer-8.0-5mdk.i586.rpm
rm -f RealPlayer-8.0-5mdk.i586.rpm
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Video -> RealPlayer G2
[edit]

How to install Video Editor (Kino) 

urpmi kino
urpmi kino-plugins
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Video -> Kino
[edit]

How to install Multimedia Player (XMMS) 

urpmi xmms
urpmi xmms-skins
urpmi xmms-esd
urpmi xmms-alsa
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Sound -> Xmms
If Xmms doesn't play, try changing output plugin
  • Preferences (Ctrl + P)
  • Set Output Plugin to 'eSoun Output Plugin'
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How to install Stream Directory Browser (streamtuner) 

urpmi streamtuner
urpmi streamripper
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Sound -> StreamTuner
[edit]

How to install ID3 Tag Editor (EasyTAG) 

urpmi easytag
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Sound -> EasyTAG
[edit]

How to install Audio Editor (Audacity) 

urpmi audacity
[edit]

How to install Email Client (Mozilla Thunderbird) 

urpmi mozilla-thunderbird
  • K Menu -> internet -> Mail -> Mozilla Thunderbird
[edit]

How to install Diagram Editor (Dia) 

urpmi dia
  • K Menu -> Office -> Dia
[edit]

How to install Compiled HTML Help (CHM) Viewer (xCHM) 

urpmi xchm
  • K Menu -> Office -> Publishing -> Xchm
[edit]

How to install Partition Editor (GParted) 

urpmi gparted
  • K Menu -> System -> Configuration -> Hardware -> GParted
[edit]

How to install Firewall (Firestarter) 

urpmi firestarter
  • K Menu -> System -> Firestarter
[edit]

How to install RAR Archiver (rar) 

urpmi unrar
  • K Menu -> System -> Archiving -> Ark
[edit]

How to install Extra Fonts 

urpmi fonts-ttf-arabic
urpmi fonts-ttf-big5
urpmi fonts-ttf-dustismo
urpmi fonts-ttf-freefont
urpmi fonts-ttf-japanese
urpmi fonts-ttf-japanese-extra
urpmi fonts-type1-cyrillic
urpmi fonts-type1-greek
urpmi fonts-hebrew
urpmi cabextract
wget -c ftp://ftp.pbone.net/mirror/seerofsouls.com/mandriva/2006/RPMS/msttcorefonts-bootstrap-0.1-4brs.noarch.rpm
rpm -i msttcorefonts-bootstrap-0.1-4brs.noarch.rpm
[edit]

How to install Desktop Applets (gDesklets) 

urpmi gdesklets-clock
  • K Menu -> Run Command...
  • Enter gdesklets
  • For more info see: http://gdesklets.org
[edit]

How to install Basic Compilers 

urpmi gcc
urpmi gcc2.96
urpmi gcc3.3
[edit]

How to install Integrated Development Environment (Anjuta) 

urpmi anjuta
  • K Menu -> More Applications -> Development -> Development Enviroments -> Anjuta IDE
[edit]

How to install 3D modeling tool (Blender 3d) 

urpmi blender
  • K Menu -> Multimedia -> Graphics -> Blender
[edit]

How to install virtual planetarium (Stellarium) 

urpmi stellarium
[edit]

How to install KDE Edutainment applications (kdeedu) 

urpmi kdeedu
  • K Menu -> More Applications -> Education -> ...
[edit]

Commercial Applications

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How to install Windows 9X/ME/2000/XP (Win4Lin)

  • http://www.win4lin.com
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How to install Windows Applications (CrossOver Office)

  • http://www.codeweavers.com
[edit]

How to install Windows Games (Cedega)

  • http://www.transgaming.com
[edit]

User Administration

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How to set/change/enable root user password 

passwd root
[edit]

How to disable the root user account

  • Read #General Notes
  • Please think twice before doing this: it can get you into serious trouble
  • Preferably use userdrake 
sudo passwd -l root
[edit]

How to switch to root user in Console mode 

su
Password: <specify root password>
[edit]

How to add/edit/delete system users and groups

  • Read #General Notes
  • Preferably use userdrake
  • K Menu -> System -> Configuration -> Other -> User Administration

OR 

useradd <username>
userdel <username>
usermod <username>

groupadd <groupname>
groupdel <groupname>
groupmod <groupname>
[edit]

How to change files/folders permissions

  • Read #General Notes
  • Right click on files/folders -> Properties
  • Permissions Tab
  • Set Your Permissions
[edit]

How to change files/folders ownership 

sudo chown system_username /location_of_files_or_folders
[edit]

How to change files/folders group ownership 

sudo chgrp system_groupname /location_of_files_or_folders
[edit]

Hardware

[edit]

How to list partition tables 

fdisk -l
[edit]

How to list filesystem disk space usage 

df -T
  • You can also use K Menu -> System -> Monitoring -> KDisk
[edit]

How to list mounted devices 

mount
[edit]

How to list PCI devices 

lspci

OR 

lspcidrake -vv
[edit]

How to list USB devices 

lsusb
[edit]

How to speed up CD/DVD-ROM

  • This is assuming that /dev/cdrom is the location of CD/DVD-ROM 
hdparm -d1 /dev/cdrom
kwrite /etc/hdparm.conf
  • Insert the following lines in the new file 
/dev/cdrom {
    dma = on
}
  • Save the edited file
[edit]

How to mount/unmount CD/DVD-ROM manually, and show all hidden and associated files/folders

  • These operations may only be necessary in older versions of Mandriva; in the latest versions CD/DVD's are mounted automatically, or it can be done via the menu when right clicking in the file manager (e.g. konqueror).
  • This is assuming that /mnt/cdrom0/ is the location of CD/DVD-ROM
  • To mount CD/DVD-ROM 
mount /mnt/cdrom0/ -o unhide
  • To unmount CD/DVD-ROM 
umount /mnt/cdrom0/
[edit]

How to forcefully unmount CD/DVD-ROM manually

  • Read #General Notes
  • These operations may only be necessary in older versions of Mandriva; in the latest versions CD/DVD's are mounted automatically, or it can be done via the menu when right clicking in the file manager (e.g. konqueror).
  • This is assuming that /mnt/cdrom0/ is the location of CD/DVD-ROM 
umount /mnt/cdrom0/ -l
[edit]

How to remount /etc/fstab without rebooting 

mount -a
[edit]

How to create Image (ISO) files from CD/DVD

  • This is assuming that /dev/cdrom is the location of CD/DVD-ROM 
umount /dev/cdrom
dd if=/dev/cdrom of=file.iso bs=1024
[edit]

How to create Image (ISO) files from folders 

mkisofs -o file.iso /location_of_folder/
[edit]

How to mount/unmount Image (ISO) files without burning 

mkdir /home/uid/iso
modprobe loop
mount file.iso /home/uid/iso/ -t iso9660 -o loop
  • To unmount Image (ISO) file 
umount home/uid/iso/
[edit]

How to create an emergency boot disk

How to make a bootable CDRom - as an alternative to, or in addition to a bootable floppy disk.

As it is sometimes difficult to fit a modern kernel on a floppy, and because more and more machines do not have a floppy drive at all, it is usually a good idea to have a bootable CDRom if for any reason your machine does not seem to be able to complete the boot process by itself. The following describes the steps to make a bootable CDRom containing the kernel that is running at this time.

It should be borne in mind that when actually using the Boot CD in case of need, some operations require the presence on the system of files relative to the kernel that is on the CD. In other words, the best possible boot CD is one for a kernel that is actually installed on the system. When upgrading or adding another kernel to your system, it is advisable to make a new boot CD. When you are already satisfied that the newest kernel does everything it should with your hardware, you can use a CDRW and burn the bootable CD over an older kernel. If not, a separate disk is advisable.

Steps to take:

Start any console or terminal.

Give the commands shown: 

su # to become root; enter root password when prompted 

cd /tmp # some temporary files will be created here

Insert a blank, writable CDRom or a fresh, unformatted CDRW. In my experience it is best to check that the disk has not been automounted or 'supermounted': 

umount /mnt/cdrom0 # change 'cdrom0' as needed ¹)

(Skip for cdrom): Blank any CDRW with the following command (or with your preferred burnware): 

cdrecord blank=fast dev=/dev/hdc

in which '/dev/hdc' is the mount point of the CDwriter, change as needed ¹)

[edit]
Create the ISO file or 'image' from the currently running kernel, that will be needed to burn to disk later 
mkrescue --iso
[edit]
Or: create an ISO file from any kernel on your system, other than the one currently running 
mkrescue --image LABEL --iso

in which you must replace 'LABEL' with the label name as it appears in your /etc/lilo.conf . For example if your lilo.conf contains the line: label="linux-2.6.10-1.mm.18" in the paragraph describing the kernel that you want to make a bootable cd from, you should use the command: 

mkrescue --image linux-2.6.10-1.mm.18 --iso

Burn the image to disk: 

cdrecord speed=16 -eject dev=/dev/hdc rescue.iso

in which /dev/hdc is an example; change to same as above ¹); 'speed' may be changed to a proper number for your burner and -eject is not necessary, but I believe a burned disk can better cool off outside than inside the box :)

Remove the temporary files from your hard drive (not needed if your system is set to remove temp files). 

rm rescue.iso
rm mkrescue-flp/boot.bin
rd mkrescue-flp

exit # to return to being user.

¹) Usually the easiest way to remind yourself which is which is to insert a finished CD in the drive and give the command: "df" and/or "grep cd /etc/fstab"

[edit]

Networking

[edit]

How to configure network connections

  • Read #General Notes
  • K Menu -> System -> Configuration -> Configure Your Computer
  • Network & Internet
  • Reconfigure a network interface
[edit]

How to change the computer name 

hostname your_desired_computer_name

OR

  • Menu > System > Configuration > Configure your computer > Network & Internet > Manage hosts definitions

OR 

drakhosts
[edit]

How to browse network computers

  • This is assuming that the network connections have been configured properly
  • If computers or network folders could not be found, try access them directly
  • K Menu -> Home
  • At the Location bar replace /home/your_user_name with lan:/
[edit]

How to access network folders without mounting

This is assuming that the network connections have been configured properly
Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1
Shared folder's name: linux
  • K Menu -> Run Command...
  • Run Application 
smb://192.168.0.1/linux
[edit]

How to mount/unmount network folders manually, and allow all users to read

This is assuming that the network connections have been configured properly
Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1
Network computer's Username: myusername
Network computer's Password: mypassword
Shared folder's name: linux
Local mount folder: /home/uid/sharename
  • To mount network folder 
mkdir /home/uid/sharename
mount //192.168.0.1/linux /home/uid/sharename/ -o username=myusername,password=mypassword
  • To unmount network folder 
umount /home/uid/sharename/
[edit]

How to mount/unmount network folders manually, and allow all users to read/write

This is assuming that the network connections have been configured properly
Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1
Network computer's Username: myusername
Network computer's Password: mypassword
Shared folder's name: linux
Local mount folder: /home/uid/sharename
  • To mount network folder 
mkdir /home/uid/sharename
mount //192.168.0.1/linux /home/uid/sharename/ -o username=myusername,password=mypassword,dmask=777,fmask=777
  • To unmount network folder 
umount /home/uid/sharename/
[edit]

How to mount network folders on boot-up, and allow all users to read

This is assuming that network connections have been configured properly
Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1
Network computer's Username: myusername
Network computer's Password: mypassword
Shared folder's name: linux
Local mount folder: /home/uid/sharename 
mkdir /home/uid/sharename
kwrite /root/.smbcredentials
  • Insert the following lines into the new file 
username=myusername
password=mypassword
  • Save the edited file 
chmod 700 /root/.smbcredentials
cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab_backup
kwrite /etc/fstab
  • Append the following line at the end of file 
//192.168.0.1/linux    /home/uid/sharename smbfs  credentials=/root/.smbcredentials    0    0
[edit]

How to mount network folders on boot-up, and allow all users to read/write

This is assuming that the network connections have been configured properly
Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1
Network computer's Username: myusername
Network computer's Password: mypassword
Shared folder's name: linux
Local mount folder: /home/uid/sharename 
mkdir /home/uid/sharename
kwrite /root/.smbcredentials
  • Insert the following lines into the new file 
username=myusername
password=mypassword
  • Save the edited file 
chmod 700 /root/.smbcredentials
cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab_backup
kwrite /etc/fstab
  • Append the following line at the end of file 
//192.168.0.1/linux    /home/uid/sharename smbfs  credentials=/root/.smbcredentials,dmask=777,fmask=777  0    0
[edit]

How to connect to Google Talk

  • See the answer at Google Talk Help Center
[edit]

Windows

[edit]

How to mount/unmount Windows partitions (NTFS) manually, and allow all users to read only

This is assuming that /dev/hda1 is the location of Windows partition (NTFS)
Local mount folder: /mnt/win_c
  • To mount Windows partition (skip first line if already in /etc/fstab): 
mkdir /mnt/win_c
mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/win-c/ -t ntfs -o nls=utf8,umask=0222
  • To unmount Windows partition 
umount /mnt/win_c/
[edit]

How to mount/unmount Windows partitions (FAT) manually, and allow all users to read/write

This is assuming that /dev/hda1 is the location of Windows partition (FAT)
Local mount folder: /mnt/win_c
  • To mount Windows partition (skip first line if already in fstab): 
mkdir /mnt/win_c
mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/win_c/ -t vfat -o iocharset=utf8,umask=000
  • To unmount Windows partition 
umount /mnt/win_c/
[edit]

How to mount Windows partitions (NTFS) on boot-up, and allow all users to read only

This is assuming that /dev/hda1 is the location of Windows partition (NTFS), and also that /mnt/win_c isn't in /etc/fstab yet
Local mount folder: /mnt/win_c 
mkdir /mnt/win_c
cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab_backup
kwrite /etc/fstab
  • Append the following line at the end of file 
/dev/hda1    /mnt/win_c ntfs  nls=utf8,umask=0222 0    0
[edit]

How to mount Windows partitions (FAT) on boot-up, and allow all users to read/write

This is assuming that /dev/hda1 is the location of Windows partition (FAT) and also assuming that /mnt/win_c isn't in /etc/fstab yet
Local mount folder: /mnt/win_c 
mkdir /mnt/win_c
cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab_backup
kwrite /etc/fstab
  • Append the following line at the end of file 
/dev/hda1    /mnt/win_c vfat  iocharset=utf8,umask=000  0    0
[edit]

Tips & Tricks

[edit]

How to restart KDE without rebooting computer 

Press 'Ctrl + Alt + Backspace'
[edit]

How to switch to Console mode in KDE? 

Press 'Ctrl + Alt + F1' (F2 - F6)
  • To switch between consoles in Console mode 
Press 'Alt + F1' (F2 - F6)
  • To switch back to KDE mode 
Press 'Alt + F7'
[edit]

How to disable Ctrl+Alt+Backspace from restarting X in KDE 

cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
kwrite /etc/X11/xorg.conf
  • Append the following lines at the end of file 
Section "ServerFlags"
	Option		"DontZap"		"yes"
EndSection
[edit]

How to change default file type "Open with" program

  • Read #General Notes
  • Right click on file -> Properties
  • Click the little monkeywrench button near Type:
  • Move the default "Open With" application to top
If your application is not in the list click Add...
[edit]

How to load Web site faster in Mozilla Firefox

  • Read #General Notes
  • Applications -> Internet -> Firefox Web Browser
  • Mozilla Firefox 
Address Bar -> about:config

Filter: ->
network.dns.disableIPv6 -> true
network.http.pipelining -> true
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests -> 8
network.http.proxy.pipelining -> true
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox
[edit]

How to disable beep sound for link find function in Mozilla Firefox

  • Read #General Notes
  • Applications -> Internet -> Firefox Web Browser
  • Mozilla Firefox 
Address Bar -> about:config

Filter: -> accessibility.typeaheadfind.enablesound -> false
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox
[edit]

How to install/uninstall .rpm files

  • Read #General Notes
  • Preferably use Menu > System > Configuration > Configure Your Computer > Software Management
  • To install .rpm file 
urpmi package_file.rpm
  • To uninstall .rpm file 
urpme package_name
[edit]

How to set System wide Environment Variables 

cp /etc/bashrc /etc/bashrc_backup
kwrite  /etc/bashrc
  • Append the System-wide Environment Variables at the end of file
  • Save the edited file
[edit]

How to set user only environment variables

  • Read #General Notes
  • Contrary to most other commands, this should be done as the user him/herself, not as root 
cp /home/userid/.bash_profile /home/userid/.bash_profile_backup
kwrite  ~/bash_profile
  • Add the user environment variable(s), for example, to add the directory /home/userid/bin to your path: 
PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin

and to make the variable really work, add also the line: 

export PATH
  • Save the edited file
[edit]

How to save "man" outputs into files 

man command | col -b > file.txt
[edit]

How to temporarily skip boot-up services 

Press 'Ctrl + C'
[edit]

How to scroll up and down to view previous outputs in Console mode 

Press 'Shift + Page Up'
  • To scroll down to view previous output 
Press 'Shift + Page Down'
[edit]

AntiVirus Server

[edit]

How to install ClamAV AntiVirus Server 

urpmi clamav
[edit]

How to manually update virus databases 

freshclam
[edit]

How to manually scan files/folders for viruses 

clamscan -r /location_of_files_or_folders
[edit]

How to automatically scan files/folders for viruses

e.g. Automatically scan files/folders for viruses at midnight everyday
* * * * * means minute hour date month year 
export EDITOR=kwrite &&  crontab -e
  • Append the following line at the end of file 
00 00 * * *  clamscan -r /location_of_files_or_folders
  • Save the edited file
[edit]

SSH Server

[edit]

How to install SSH Server for remote administration service 

urpmi openssh
[edit]

How to SSH into remote Mandriva machine

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
Remote Mandriva machine: 192.168.0.1 
ssh username@192.168.0.1
[edit]

How to copy files/folders from remote Mandriva machine into local machine (scp)

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
Remote Mandriva machine: 192.168.0.1
Remote files/folders location: /home/username/remotefile.txt
Local machine save location: . (current directory) 
scp -r username@192.168.0.1:/home/username/remotefile.txt .
[edit]

How to copy files/folders from local machine into remote Mandriva machine (scp)

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
Local files/folders location: localfile.txt
Remote Mandriva machine: 192.168.0.1
Remote Mandriva machine save location: /home/username/ 
scp -r localfile.txt username@192.168.0.1:/home/username/
[edit]

How to copy files/folders from remote Mandriva machine into local machine (rsync)

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
Remote Mandriva machine: 192.168.0.1
Remote files/folders location: /home/username/remotefile.txt
Local machine save location: . (current directory) 
rsync -v -u -a --delete --rsh=ssh --stats username@192.168.0.1:/home/username/remotefile.txt .
[edit]

How to copy files/folders from local machine into remote Mandriva machine (rsync)

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
Local files/folders location: localfile.txt
Remote Mandriva machine: 192.168.0.1
Remote Mandriva machine save location: /home/username/ 
rsync -v -u -a --delete --rsh=ssh --stats localfile.txt username@192.168.0.1:/home/username/
[edit]

How to SSH into remote Mandriva machine via Windows machine

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
  • Download PuTTY: Here
[edit]

How to copy files/folders from/into remote Mandriva machine via Windows machine

This is assuming that the remote Mandriva machine has installed the SSH Server service
Read #How to install SSH Server for remote administration service
  • Download WinSCP: Here
Retrieved from "http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Mandriva"