View source for Installing LinuxMCE

[[Category:Installation Tutorials| Installation guide]]
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LinuxMCE can be installed from one of 3 available media:
:* a DVD that contains all the files necessary to install from scratch.
:* a set of CDs in case you do not have a DVD drive on your machine or use an older version and older hardware.
:* the Internet, for manual/advanced installation on a computer already running Kubuntu with all required dependencies. 


Regardless of what method you choose to use, there are 3 steps involved in getting LinuxMCE running on your computer:
::# [[#Getting Kubuntu running and updated|Getting Kubuntu running and updated]]
::# [[#Running LinuxMCE installation script (mce-installer)|Running LinuxMCE installation script (mce-installer)]] and [[#Installing LinuxMCE|Installing LinuxMCE]]
::# Running the [[#Next: Configuring LinuxMCE|Configuration Wizards]] to configure the system.
:If you plan on using a computer that already has the required OS and modules, you can start installing LinuxMCE directly if you have the Kubuntu files at hand - read "[[#Using a pre-existing installation of Kubuntu|Using a pre-existing installation of Kubuntu]]" below.

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== Pre-installation  preparations ==

==== Setting up the equipment ====
As mentioned in [[How to get started with LinuxMCE]], setup your equipment:
{{#lsth:How to get started with LinuxMCE|Setting up the equipment}}

==== Connecting to the Internet ====
An active internet connection is '''required for the internet installation method'''. The DVD install method does NOT REQUIRE an internet connection, but one is '''strongly recommended'''. Without an active internet connection, proprietary GPU drivers will not be installed. PCI IDs cannot be updated, and your install ID will become 1, though the features which require a unique ID are not currently implemented. Once you get to setup wizard, it will be difficult for many devices to be correctly installed without internet. The failure to install mythtv etc will take a very long time before you can start using the system etc. However all of this IS recoverable, except the install ID.
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==== Understanding what to expect ====
Before installing, check out your selected version's [[Known Issues|known issues]], and please read the [[Frequently Asked Questions|FAQ]]. Because of the fact that it's a delicate installation small things make a huge difference.

LinuxMCE is an extremely powerful, fantastic piece of software; have no doubt about that. But, please bear in mind that it is a project, not a product.

Each LinuxMCE version is based on the corresponding Ubuntu version, which means that brand new hardware might not work out of the box. For this reason, if you are buying hardware specifically for your home automation system, you might want to use hardware that is a little older and save yourself some money at the same time. That said, in nearly all cases you will be able to get through any issues with a little patience and some help from the community. Unrecognised NICs is the most common issue.

=====Installation can take a long time=====
<span style="color:#FF0000">The installation process does take some time</span>. After you click on something, you will need some patience to wait for things to get downloaded and installed. <br>
Don't worry if the system seems to stop at points or report what seems like error messages. This is normal since at places it will be testing drivers out, and is only there for the advanced Linux user.   <br>
'''You will get a dialog box if something really does go wrong'''.  Please understand that this may take a very long time since it will in parallel be updating your Kubuntu system to the latest version. Even if nothing "seems" to be happening, let the procedure continue for an hour or two and come back later. Some parts of the installation can sometimes take hours. If in doubt, leave it overnight.

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== Choosing an installation method ==

The method to use depends on whether or not you have a high-speed Internet connection, the type of optical reader ([[#CD method|CD]]/[[#DVD method|DVD]]) your system has, and the skillset necessary to prepare Ubuntu on your own. These methods only differ in how the LinuxMCE files are obtained, and how the installation scripts are started. They all produce the same result.


==== DVD method ====
The DVD installs both the Kubuntu OS and LinuxMCE at the same time, in about 20 minutes and with only 3 keystrokes. IT contains all the files for both Kubuntu and LinuxMCE on one medium. <br>

The DVD installer copies a pre-configured image to your hard drive. There is little control over the installation process because it is designed to be fast and easy. Once you pick the hard drive onto which you want your installation, the installer will partition it, format it, and install everything with default options. It will even set your location and regional settings using an IP2Location service. 

;Note: '''The DVD installer erases all existing data from the selected hard drive.''' There is a new "keep settings" option which will preserve data in the home directory for most, '''''but not all''''', installations.  There are also some instructions on how to use the [[DVD Install And Custom Partitions|DVD Install with custom partitions]].


==== Internet method ====
The Internet installation runs on an existing Kubuntu installation. This is for advanced users who are familiar with Linux. If you are a beginner, you should use a dedicated machine and install using the DVD method. <br>
When starting from your own Kubuntu install, you can download and launch the scripts manually. <br>
If you installed Kubuntu from the LinuxMCE DVD, a shortcut to the installation script was placed on the desktop by the installer. <br>

The following pages will give you more details for your installation:
:* [[Installing 1004#Download and run the mce-install.sh script]]
:* [[Installing 0810#Internet Installation]]
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==== CD method ====
The LinuxMCE CD installer comes on 2 CDs that are used for installation on top of Kubuntu. This requires that the Kubuntu OS be installed first using the [http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/ Kubuntu Desktop Live CD][http://de.releases.ubuntu.com/]. The CD installer should only be installed on a Kubuntu installation that has not already been upgraded, since the LinuxMCE installer updates both the Kubuntu and LinuxMCE configuration files in parallel. 

The CD installer gives you a lot more installation options. However, since everything is stored in .deb packages which must be decompressed and installed, this will take about an hour to install.   

Kubuntu 8.10 is still available at [http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/releases/kubuntu/8.10/ Kubuntu 8.10].

==== Which is faster? ====
Installing from DVD is the easiest and the fastest since the files are on the DVD and do not need to be downloaded. {{#lsth:Installing 1004|The DVD advantage}}
Installing from CD .iso images located on your hard disk is the most flexible and the second fastest because hard drives are faster than CD/DVD drives, but remember that this requires you to install Kubuntu first. <br>
Installing from burned CDs is slowest because everything is stored in .deb packages which must be decompressed and installed.

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== Downloading the necessary software ==

To downloaded all the necessary files, follow the [[Download Instructions]].

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== Installing LinuxMCE ==
;Note: when summary screen appears, take note of the default PIN, and, the user name and password for the administrative account.
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{{#lsth:Installing LinuxMCE}}
=== Getting Kubuntu running and updated ===
This step is about getting the OS installed on your system. If you're already running Kubuntu, you can install {{l}} directly from the Internet. For those who are starting from scratch, the DVD contains all the necessary files to install the OS.
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==== Installing Kubuntu from the DVD ====
If you do not know how to install Kubuntu on your own, it is best you use the DVD method, which will automatically install and update it for you. <br>
The DVD will install Kubuntu for you and bring you to the desktop of a fully functional Kubuntu Desktop. You can skip to [[#Running LinuxMCE installation script (mce-installer)|Running LinuxMCE installation script (mce-installer)]]
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==== Using a pre-existing installation of Kubuntu ====
You can install LinuxMCE on a pre-existing installation of Kubuntu. 

If you would like to install Kubuntu on your own, you can read the old instructions for [[Installing 0710#New installation|Installing from Kubuntu Desktop 7.10 LiveCD]] and make the necessary adjustments. 
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;Note: '''The Kubuntu Desktop installation files are necessary during the installation of LinuxMCE'''. You you will need either a live CD, or a copy of the .iso file available somewhere on your hard drive. {{p}}'''The install process will partially overwrite your previous Kubuntu installation''' using configuration files from the Live CD which are known to be uniquely compatible with LinuxMCE. If you have previously modified your Kubuntu system (subsequent to its original installation), you may lose some of your configuration files because LinuxMCE modifies them to suit its own needs. Therefore, do not install LinuxMCE on a mission-critical PC if you don't want to risk this. LinuxMCE core server should be installed on a dedicated hardware.

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=== Running LinuxMCE installation script (mce-installer) ===
Once the new Kubuntu installation has finished booting back up, check that your internet connections are working. If you have a NIC that is not plug-and-play then now is the time to install the driver and confirm operation. 

==== From desktop after DVD install ==== 
On the Desktop, you will find a on the "LinuxMCE" icon: double click on it. This will run the <code>/root/new-installer/'''fullinstall.sh'''</code> and install LinuxMCE on top of your updated Kubuntu installation.

Once the above process is complete - the [http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/AVWizard_Step_by_Step AV Wizard] should start (after rebooting). 
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==== From a pre-existing installation of Kubuntu ==== 
Mount the LinuxMCE installation ISO, or insert the LiveCD in the tray.

:* [[Installing 1004#Download and run the mce-install.sh script]]
:* [[Installing 0810#Internet Installation]]
:* [[Installing 0710#Install LinuxMCE]]
:* [[Installing 0710#Installing mce-installer from command prompt]]

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=== Version specific installation instructions ===
If you are brave and technologically adept enough, help us find and resolve the issues in the Beta release. Should you need help in the process, help is available on the [http://forum.linuxmce.org forum].

Once you have decided on a [[Installing LinuxMCE - What version to choose?|version to install]], you can use the links in the sections below to navigate to the installation instructions for the version of your choice.
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===== Installation instructions for 10.04 =====
* See [[Installing 1004|{{l}} 1004 DVD and Internet installation instructions]]. 


===== Installation instructions for 08.10 =====
* See [[Installing 0810 (Final)]].


===== Other versions including latest snapshots=====
* For the latest, see [[Snapshot overview]]
* [[:Category:Installation Tutorials|List of installation Tutorials for all versions and methods]].

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==Upgrading LinuxMCE==
See [[How to upgrade linuxmce]].

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== Next: Configuring LinuxMCE ==
:* [[Configuring LinuxMCE]]

{{#lsth:Installing 0810 (Final)|Complete the Wizards}}