How to Install, Upgrade, and Update Software

[b]Using CD #2 as a Source[/b] Software may be installed from MEPIS CD #2. This software was placed on CD at the same time CD #1 was created, therefore it should be fully compatible with the software on CD #1. However once you have updated or upgraded from the Internet, you may find that it is no longer possible to install some of the software from CD #2. [b]Using the Internet as a Source[/b] Software may be installed or updated from the Internet. This software is the most up-to-date, but it may be less stable than the software you already have. Also when updating from the Internet, changing one package may require that a number of other packages be changed at the same time. Proceed with caution. [b]Selecting the Source with the MSC[/b] Open the MEPIS System Center by clicking on its desktop icon, or [code]KMenu > Utilites > MEPIS System Center[/code]. Select [code]Package Management[/code] and then click on [code]Use MEPIS CD #2[/code] to install from the CD, or click on [code]Use internet[/code] to install or update from the Internet. If selecting the Internet, you may fine tune your selection by specifying the country form which packages will be fetched, whether you want to include non-US packages, experimental packages, and/or source code packages. Most users should select to include non-US packages. Developers and experimenters may want to select experimental and/or source code packages. Due to the likelyhood of conflicts between package versions, it is recommended that you do not select both [code]Use MEPIS CD #2[/code] and [code]Use internet[/code]. When you are satisfied with your selections, click on [code]Apply[/code]. [b]Selecting the Source by Editing the Sources List[/b] You can directly edit [code]/etc/apt/sources.list[/code] You can add extra package sources to the end of the file. You can use the predefined source entires as examples. If you edit the predefined entires, be very careful to retain the sturcture of the file. [b]Using KPackage[/b] First, when logged in as a regular user, run [code]KMenu > System KPackage[/code]. At some point while using KPackage you will be asked for the root password. Do not run KPackage when logged in as root. Click on the menu item [code]Special > APT:Debian > Update[/code]. This will update the list of packages that are available. Then click on the [code]Updated[/code] tab to see the list of packages that are updatable. You can update all packages at once by clicking on [code]Special > APT:Debian > Upgrade[/code]. You can update one package by selecting it in the [code]Package[/code] list and clicking on the [code]Install[/code] button. To remove a package, click on the [code]Installed[/code] tab, select the package in the [code]Package[/code] list and click on the [code]Uninstall[/code] button. [b]Using apt-get[/b] To use [code]apt-get[/code], open a Konsole/shell and type: [code]su root[/code] To update the list of packages that are available, type: [code]apt-get update[/code] To upgrade everything at once type: [code]apt-get upgrade[/code] To update one package type: [code]apt-get install packagename[/code] To remove a package type: [code]apt-get remove packagename[/code]

MEPIS Extras CDs HOWTO

MEPIS Extras CDs HOWTO

This howto assumes that the you can dowload and create CD's from ISO images or you have obtained the media from MEPIS. If you need instructions on how to create a CD from an ISO image please read the documentation located at: http://mepis.com/docs/downloading-mepis.

Obtain the MEPIS Extras CD's by downloading, if you have a subscription, or by ordering them from the MEPIS Store as part of the ProMEPIS Bundle.

NOTE: Currently these CD's are in the testing stage. They are not yet available for purchase in our store. Once these CD's go into final relase they will be available in our store.

Boot your computer into MEPIS and login as yourself.

Once you are logged in open Synaptic by either clicking on the icon in the Quick Launcher or by navigating the menus: "K Start Menu > System > Synaptic Package Manager"

You will prompted for the root password. Type in your root password.


After Synaptic has started click on: "Settings >Repositories"


This will bring up a new window. Disable all of the repositories by clicking on the boxes with the "X".

After you disable all of the repositories click on the OK button.

You will next get a box informing you that your Repositories have changed.

Click the Close button to continue.

Now we can start to add the MEPIS Extra CDs to your repository list.
Click on: "Edit > Add CDROM..."


You will now be prompted to insert a CD into your CD drive.

Place one of the MEPIS Extra CDs into your CDROM Drive and click the "OK" button.

The CD will be breifly read and ask to confirm the name of the CD.

Click the "OK" button.

After Synaptic reads the package information from the CD you will be prompted to either quit or add a new CD.

You can click the "Add" button to add the other MEPIS Extras CD's.
Once you have finished adding all of the MEPIS Extra CDs you can click on the "No" button.

In the main Synaptic window click on the "Reload" button update your package lists.


Now you can use Synaptic to search for installable software or you can browse the available software by clicking on the "Status" button in the lower left hand corner of the window and then clicking on the "Not Installed" item above on the left hand side. Select the packages you would like to install and happy installing.

Keep your CDs handy while installing this way. Synaptic will ask for them as you install new packages.

Using and updating the NVIDIA Driver

The official NVIDIA driver is preinstalled in MEPIS. Normally it is selected and configured automatically.

Some older NVIDIA cards do not work well with the nvidia driver. In those cases the open source nv driver is selected automatically.

If you have a newer NVIDIA card and it is not autodetected, please contact MEPIS.

Upgrading the Driver

In September of 2003, NVIDIA restructured their driver to be easier to install or upgrade.

If you're in a hurry to install a newly released version of the NVIDIA driver, and you're an expert or just adventursome, you may get the new driver at the NVIDIA site and install the package manually using the included instructions.

If you don't mind waiting, you can install from the Debian and MEPIS pools using apt-get, KPackage, or Synaptic. Usually the packages will show up within a couple of weeks.

Two packages are common to all installations:

• nvidia-kernel-common
• nvidia-glx

The kernel package must match your kernel version. For MEPIS 2003.10, install:

• nvidia-kernel-2.4.22

If your NVIDIA card is not properly recognized, make sure your autoconfig is up-to-date.?? For MEPIS 2003.10 install or update:

• meauto-2.4.22

If you attempt to upgrade and this package is missing or out-of-date, please contact MEPIS.