PCLinuxOS New User Guide : PCLinuxOSLiveCD

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Most recent edit on 2007-05-12 11:38:24 by SySy [moved]

Additions:
moved to http://docs.mypclinuxos.com/index.php?title=LiveCD/0.93∞

Deletions:
NOTE: This content has been moved to http://docs.mypclinuxos.com/index.php?title=LiveCD/0.93∞ but is being kept here for reference.
image

Using the PCLinuxOS Live CD

Back to Contents
Simply place the PCLinuxOS Live CD into your CD ROM drive and reboot the computer. Without altering or touching your hard drive data, PCLinuxOS boots into a complete Linux operating system from the CD. You do not have to install anything to use PCLinuxOS but you can still use all its software and try out all the features!
During the loading of the Live CD, you will need to log in. You can log in as either the "guest" user or as administrator user named "root". It is a security hazard to log in as root, so go with the guest account.
Username: guest
Password: guest
The administrator account named "root" has "root" as the password. You will be asked for this for some administration activities.
You may browse, email, compose letters, print and perform almost any function you would normally perform on your computer. When you are done using or exploring PCLinuxOS, restart your computer, remove the CD and you will boot back into your regular computer environment.
If you have your PCLinuxOS Live CD booting successfully, continue reading the Getting Started With PCLinuxOS page to get productive immediately. If you find that things don't work as expected, continue reading this page for more information about booting the live CD and help trouble-shooting.

Minimum Requirements

NOTE for all versions including PCLinuxOS-2007
The most basic requirement of PCLinuxOS is 256 megabytes of memory. As always, more memory does make things go more smoothly. Besides memory requirements, there is one other requirement that must be met. Some computers cannot boot directly from a CD ROM drive. If you've bought your computer in the last four or so years, you are probably fine. You might, however, have to tell your computer to check out your CD ROM drive during the startup procedure of your computer. You do this by entering into the computer Bios settings and forcing it to do so.

Bios Settings

Sometimes a computer is not set up to boot from the CD-ROM drive. If the CD is being bypassed and the computer is just booting the OS that is installed on your hard disk drive, there are two issues to keep in mind. You will either have to change some settings in your computer's bios, or you haven't used the boot-menu that is available on some PCs. On some PCs you can press a button (for example, F12) to enter a boot-menu where you can select how to boot: from floppy disk, CD-ROM, USB or hard disk. During the initial power up, pay close attention to the displayed messages to find out if this is the case.
If no such boot-menu exists or booting from CD-ROM is not an option, you will have to change some settings in your computer's bios. To access the bios, on most computers press the delete key, insert key, or F2 during the initial power up of the computer. If you watch the screen as the computer starts you will see a message that says something along the lines of press del to enter setup. The key listed might be different but the effect will be the same. Press this key and the bios setup screen should appear.
Once inside the bios settings, check to ensure that the CD ROM is listed before the hard disk drive. There will be a section with the name "boot order" or "boot devices". This list will need to be changed to place the CD ROM as one of the devices before the hard drive of the machine. Make sure you do list your harddrive as well. For example, your boot order should be correct when set as: First: A-drive. Second: CD-Drive. Third: Harddisk. Once this is done, save the bios settings and exit the settings screen (usually by pressing the F10 key). The computer will then reboot and the live CD in the CD ROM drive should have control of the system, without making any changes to your harddisk drive.

Boot Options

In most situations you will not have to use the boot options. Put in the CD, restart your computer and just press Enter when it prompts for input. There are a few situations however where you might want the live CD to start differently. In those situations you can change how the live CD starts by using the boot options. There are several different options that can be given to the live CD to change how it handles the boot process and the hardware detection.

Version 0.93a only

Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. After booting the CD, the opening menu shows up. To go with the default boot options, you can just press ENTER to continue.
If you want to change the boot options, do the following:
1. In order to change the settings, "instead" of pressing ENTER, you press e (for edit)
2. When it shows the kernel line you press again the (e) to actually do the edit .
3. Edit the the line as you want, using the left and right arrow keys to move through the line.
4. After you finished editing the boot line, press ENTER, then hit b for boot.
If you have a non-US keyboard, you can change the layout by editing the part that says "keyb=us" to something else. For example, "keyb=uk" will give you a British (United Kingdom) keyboard. A full list can be found HERE. The so-called "cheat codes", or more correctly "Boot Options", outlined below and on that page can also be used. When editing the GRUB line, do NOT put "livecd" at the beginning.

Versions up to 0.92 & 0.93-minime, and remasters

The live CD versions of 0.93-minime, 0.92 and earlier use a different menu to the 0.93a Live CD's.
The same as 0.93a onwards, the default options will be loaded by just pressing ENTER to continue.
In order to change the boot options, you just type the preferred options first and then press enter.
Some of the options for this menu are detailed below.

First of all, the special boot options that don't start with "livecd":
All other boot options (aka cheat codes) require that you start the line with "livecd" before addint them.

Boot Options / Cheat Codes

Now the boot options which require the livecd word listed first when using older versions. Do not include "livecd" when editing a GRUB line:
The default parameters are "devfs=nomount psmouse.proto=imps acpi=ht nomce keyb=us".
For more about the boot options, read our Official Boot Options page.

More Information

Questions you might have about the use of live CDs are answered on our General Live CD FAQ.
Issues you might have loading and running the live CDs are answered or our Live CD Issues FAQ.
Interested in the concept of the live CD ? For more generic information about live CDs, see the Wikipedia LiveCD entry∞.
Back | Contents | Next | CategoryUse


Edited on 2007-04-28 18:50:36 by SySy [moved-saved]

Additions:
NOTE: This content has been moved to http://docs.mypclinuxos.com/index.php?title=LiveCD/0.93∞ but is being kept here for reference.


Edited on 2007-02-20 02:48:49 by JohnCoom [added to Minimum Requirements "NOTE for all versions including PCLinuxOS-2007"]

Additions:
NOTE for all versions including PCLinuxOS-2007


Edited on 2007-01-29 20:47:35 by JohnCoom [boot options changed 0.93a "onwards" to "only" as 2007 is different]

Additions:

Version 0.93a only



Deletions:

Version 0.93a onwards




Edited on 2006-12-30 08:24:24 by JohnCoom [changed "as with" to "the same as" - other things re-worded]

Additions:
The same as 0.93a onwards, the default options will be loaded by just pressing ENTER to continue. In order to change the boot options, you just type the preferred options first and then press enter.

Deletions:
As with 0.93a onwards, the default options will be loaded by just pressing ENTER to continue.
In order to change the boot options, just type the preferred options and press enter.


Edited on 2006-12-30 08:20:29 by JohnCoom [added space for Live CD in up to 0.92..... section]

Additions:
The live CD versions of 0.93-minime, 0.92 and earlier use a different menu to the 0.93a Live CD's.

Deletions:
The live CD versions of 0.93-minime, 0.92 and earlier use a different menu to the 0.93a LiveCD's.


Edited on 2006-12-29 08:57:29 by JohnCoom [changed to read "Versions up to 0.92 & 0.93-minime, and remasters" and added "in oreder to ...." and]

Additions:

Versions up to 0.92 & 0.93-minime, and remasters

The live CD versions of 0.93-minime, 0.92 and earlier use a different menu to the 0.93a LiveCD's.
As with 0.93a onwards, the default options will be loaded by just pressing ENTER to continue.
In order to change the boot options, just type the preferred options and press enter.
Some of the options for this menu are detailed below.

Deletions:

Versions up to 0.92, and remasters

The live CD versions of 0.92 and earlier use a different menu. As with 0.93a onwards, the default options will be loaded by pressing ENTER. To change the boot options, just type the preferred options and press enter. Some of the options for this menu are detailed below.


Edited on 2006-12-29 06:25:12 by LexNL [minor tweaks]

Additions:
In most situations you will not have to use the boot options. Put in the CD, restart your computer and just press Enter when it prompts for input. There are a few situations however where you might want the live CD to start differently. In those situations you can change how the live CD starts by using the boot options. There are several different options that can be given to the live CD to change how it handles the boot process and the hardware detection.
Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. After booting the CD, the opening menu shows up. To go with the default boot options, you can just press ENTER to continue.
If you want to change the boot options, do the following:
1. In order to change the settings, "instead" of pressing ENTER, you press e (for edit)
2. When it shows the kernel line you press again the (e) to actually do the edit .
3. Edit the the line as you want, using the left and right arrow keys to move through the line.
4. After you finished editing the boot line, press ENTER, then hit b for boot.
The live CD versions of 0.92 and earlier use a different menu. As with 0.93a onwards, the default options will be loaded by pressing ENTER. To change the boot options, just type the preferred options and press enter. Some of the options for this menu are detailed below.

Boot Options / Cheat Codes



Deletions:
Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. After booting the CD, the menu shows up. When you get to the opening menu, you can just press ENTER to continue.
BUT
In order to change the settings, "instead" of pressing ENTER, you press e (for edit)
Then when it shows the kernel line you press again the (e) to actually do the edit .
You can edit the the line as you want, using the left and right arrow keys to move through the line.
After you finished editing the boot line, press ENTER, then hit b for boot.
In most situations you will not have to use the boot options. Put in the CD, restart your computer and just press Enter when it prompts for input. There are a few situations however where you might want the live CD to start differently. In those situations you can change how the live CD starts by using the boot options. There are several different options that can be given to the live CD to change how it handles the boot process and the hardware detection. Some of these are detailed below.

Boot Options / Cheat Codes




Edited on 2006-12-28 09:48:27 by JohnCoom [changed "Boot Options - Version 0.93a onwards" first paragph so that it is easyer to read and not j]

Additions:
Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. After booting the CD, the menu shows up. When you get to the opening menu, you can just press ENTER to continue.
BUT
In order to change the settings, "instead" of pressing ENTER, you press e (for edit)
Then when it shows the kernel line you press again the (e) to actually do the edit .
You can edit the the line as you want, using the left and right arrow keys to move through the line.
After you finished editing the boot line, press ENTER, then hit b for boot.

Deletions:
Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. After booting the CD, the menu shows up. When you get to the opening menu, you can just press ENTER. In order to change the settings, instead of pressing ENTER, you hit e (for edit) and when it shows the kernel line hit the edit (e) again. You can edit the the line as you want, using the left and right arrow keys to move through the line. After you finished editing the line, press ENTER, then hit b for boot.


Edited on 2006-12-28 04:26:15 by LexNL [removed double enter]

No differences.

Edited on 2006-12-27 21:32:22 by JohnCoom [made new line for "For more about boot opt.... and addec button]

Additions:
The default parameters are "devfs=nomount psmouse.proto=imps acpi=ht nomce keyb=us".
For more about the boot options, read our Official Boot Options page.

Deletions:
The default parameters are "devfs=nomount psmouse.proto=imps acpi=ht nomce keyb=us". For more about boot options, read our official boot options page.


Edited on 2006-12-27 14:13:39 by DevNet [Removed Buttons...this page doesn't need multiple versions...]

Deletions:
Version .92 | Version .93a


Edited on 2006-12-27 13:08:27 by DevNet [removed .94 link since it isn't out yet...]

Additions:
Version .92 | Version .93a

Deletions:
Version .92 | Version .93a | Version .94


Edited on 2006-12-07 10:53:17 by DevNet [If .94 is released, it will be current and the links must be updated....]

Additions:
Version .92 | Version .93a | Version .94

Deletions:
Version .92 | Version .93a | Version .94


Edited on 2006-12-07 10:45:07 by DevNet [Began Restructuring for .92, .93a, and .94]

Additions:
Version .92 | Version .93a | Version .94


Edited on 2006-12-06 16:15:13 by KdulcimeR [A couple of minor stylistic corrections.]

Additions:
During the loading of the Live CD, you will need to log in. You can log in as either the "guest" user or as administrator user named "root". It is a security hazard to log in as root, so go with the guest account.
The administrator account named "root" has "root" as the password. You will be asked for this for some administration activities.
You may browse, email, compose letters, print and perform almost any function you would normally perform on your computer. When you are done using or exploring PCLinuxOS, restart your computer, remove the CD and you will boot back into your regular computer environment.

Deletions:
During the loading of the Live CD, you will need to log in. You can log in as either the "guest" user or as administrator user named "root". It is unusual to actually log in as root, so go with the guest account.
The administrator account named "root" has "root" as the password. You will be asked for this for administration activities.
You may browse, email, compose letters, print and perform almost any function you would normally perform on your computer. When you are done using or exploring PCLinuxOS, restart your computer, remove the CD and you will boot back into your regular computer environment.


Edited on 2006-11-05 06:54:24 by DaveCs [Link to cheat codes page in 0.93a section]

Additions:
If you have a non-US keyboard, you can change the layout by editing the part that says "keyb=us" to something else. For example, "keyb=uk" will give you a British (United Kingdom) keyboard. A full list can be found HERE. The so-called "cheat codes", or more correctly "Boot Options", outlined below and on that page can also be used. When editing the GRUB line, do NOT put "livecd" at the beginning.

Deletions:
If you have a non-US keyboard, you can change the layout by editing the part that says "keyb=us" to something else. For example, "keyb=uk" will give you a British (United Kingdom) keyboard. The so-called "cheat codes" outlined below can also be used. When editing the GRUB line, do NOT put "livecd" at the beginning.


Edited on 2006-11-05 06:48:05 by DaveCs [Updated page to make it easier to deal with Live CDs using GRUB]

Additions:

Version 0.93a onwards

Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. After booting the CD, the menu shows up. When you get to the opening menu, you can just press ENTER. In order to change the settings, instead of pressing ENTER, you hit e (for edit) and when it shows the kernel line hit the edit (e) again. You can edit the the line as you want, using the left and right arrow keys to move through the line. After you finished editing the line, press ENTER, then hit b for boot.
If you have a non-US keyboard, you can change the layout by editing the part that says "keyb=us" to something else. For example, "keyb=uk" will give you a British (United Kingdom) keyboard. The so-called "cheat codes" outlined below can also be used. When editing the GRUB line, do NOT put "livecd" at the beginning.

Versions up to 0.92, and remasters

All other boot options (aka cheat codes) require that you start the line with "livecd" before addint them.

Boot Options / Cheat Codes

Now the boot options which require the livecd word listed first when using older versions. Do not include "livecd" when editing a GRUB line:
Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. How you use the boot options has changed. After booting the CD, the menu shows up. On the first entry hit e (for edit) and when it shows the kernel line hit the edit (e) again. You can edit the the line as you want. After you finished editing and hitting the enter button, hit b for boot.


Edited on 2006-08-07 04:22:42 by LexNL [added a small copy/paste about changing bootoptions for the grub menu on P93a mini]

Additions:
Recent live CD versions are using a GRUB bootloader. How you use the boot options has changed. After booting the CD, the menu shows up. On the first entry hit e (for edit) and when it shows the kernel line hit the edit (e) again. You can edit the the line as you want. After you finished editing and hitting the enter button, hit b for boot.


Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2006-07-18 15:19:13 by DevNet [Started page need to add boot options etc.]
Page view:
image

Using the PCLinuxOS Live CD

Back to Contents

Simply place the PCLinuxOS Live CD into your CD ROM drive and reboot the computer. Without altering or touching your hard drive data, PCLinuxOS boots into a complete Linux operating system from the CD. You do not have to install anything to use PCLinuxOS but you can still use all its software and try out all the features!

During the loading of the Live CD, you will need to log in. You can log in as either the "guest" user or as administrator user named "root". It is unusual to actually log in as root, so go with the guest account.

Username: guest
Password: guest

The administrator account named "root" has "root" as the password. You will be asked for this for administration activities.

You may browse, email, compose letters, print and perform almost any function you would normally perform on your computer. When you are done using or exploring PCLinuxOS, restart your computer, remove the CD and you will boot back into your regular computer environment.

If you have your PCLinuxOS Live CD booting successfully, continue reading the Getting Started With PCLinuxOS page to get productive immediately. If you find that things don't work as expected, continue reading this page for more information about booting the live CD and help trouble-shooting.

Minimum Requirements


The most basic requirement of PCLinuxOS is 256 megabytes of memory. As always, more memory does make things go more smoothly. Besides memory requirements, there is one other requirement that must be met. Some computers cannot boot directly from a CD ROM drive. If you've bought your computer in the last four or so years, you are probably fine. You might, however, have to tell your computer to check out your CD ROM drive during the startup procedure of your computer. You do this by entering into the computer Bios settings and forcing it to do so.

Bios Settings


Sometimes a computer is not set up to boot from the CD-ROM drive. If the CD is being bypassed and the computer is just booting the OS that is installed on your hard disk drive, there are two issues to keep in mind. You will either have to change some settings in your computer's bios, or you haven't used the boot-menu that is available on some PCs. On some PCs you can press a button (for example, F12) to enter a boot-menu where you can select how to boot: from floppy disk, CD-ROM, USB or hard disk. During the initial power up, pay close attention to the displayed messages to find out if this is the case.

If no such boot-menu exists or booting from CD-ROM is not an option, you will have to change some settings in your computer's bios. To access the bios, on most computers press the delete key, insert key, or F2 during the initial power up of the computer. If you watch the screen as the computer starts you will see a message that says something along the lines of press del to enter setup. The key listed might be different but the effect will be the same. Press this key and the bios setup screen should appear.

Once inside the bios settings, check to ensure that the CD ROM is listed before the hard disk drive. There will be a section with the name "boot order" or "boot devices". This list will need to be changed to place the CD ROM as one of the devices before the hard drive of the machine. Make sure you do list your harddrive as well. For example, your boot order should be correct when set as: First: A-drive. Second: CD-Drive. Third: Harddisk. Once this is done, save the bios settings and exit the settings screen (usually by pressing the F10 key). The computer will then reboot and the live CD in the CD ROM drive should have control of the system, without making any changes to your harddisk drive.

Boot Options


In most situations you will not have to use the boot options. Put in the CD, restart your computer and just press Enter when it prompts for input. There are a few situations however where you might want the live CD to start differently. In those situations you can change how the live CD starts by using the boot options. There are several different options that can be given to the live CD to change how it handles the boot process and the hardware detection. Some of these are detailed below.

First of all, the special boot options that don't start with "livecd":

Now the boot options which require the livecd word listed first:

The default parameters are "devfs=nomount psmouse.proto=imps acpi=ht nomce keyb=us". For more about boot options, read our official boot options page.

More Information


Questions you might have about the use of live CDs are answered on our General Live CD FAQ.

Issues you might have loading and running the live CDs are answered or our Live CD Issues FAQ.

Interested in the concept of the live CD ? For more generic information about live CDs, see the Wikipedia LiveCD entry∞.

Back | Contents | Next | CategoryUse
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