Difference between revisions of "Installation Guide"

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'''Still needs to be updated for LinuxMCE 0704'''
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[[Category:Installation Tutorials| Installation Tutorials]]
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{| align="right"
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  | __TOC__
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  |}
  
Steps for installing Linux MCE on an Ubuntu 7.04 system :
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<big>For the most up-to-date Final Release see the [[Installing 1404|'''LinuxMCE 1404''']] install</big>
  
'''1.''' Take an Ubuntu install already configured with Internet connection (Configure your network card and DNS). If you don't have an Ubuntu system already installed please follow these generic steps:
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==About Installation (Version 0810 Final)==
  
*Take an [http://www.ubuntu.com/products/GetUbuntu/download?action=show&redirect=download Ubuntu Live Cd] and boot from it.
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This page covers what we'll call mainstream installation. It shows how to get a LinuxMCE hybrid running with minimum bells and whistles. Once the basic installation is complete, users can look at the other sections of the wiki to learn how to add more advanced features. The basic hardware consists of the computer, display, and speakers. Look at the "Core & Hybrid" section of the wiki for hardware selection articles. Here is some pre-flight advice before installation.
*Choose 'Start or install Ubuntu'
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*When Ubuntu's desktop appears, double-click on 'Install'
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*A short wizard will start and guide you; Select the language and press 'forward'
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*Choose your timezone and press 'forward'
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*Select the keyboard layout
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*Choose desktop name, a user name and a password
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*Select the partitioning options for your disk: erase the entire disk or just manually edit the options.
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*Ready to install.
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*Reboot the system and remove the Live CD
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<br/>
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*The computer must be connected to the internet for a successful installation.  
'''2.''' From within the Ubuntu 7.04 desktop, open Firefox (the orange and blue icon at the top), and go to [http://www.linuxmce.com www.linuxmce.com] and select 'Download Instructions' to download the Linux MCE CD`s or the DVD on your machine. Or just use this direct link [http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Mirrors click here]
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*Recommend using a monitor for the initial install. Monitors are better than TVs for adapting to a wacky resolution setting (it could happen). You probably don't want to mess about with xorg.conf on your first install. Also recommend using a VGA cable because that is the default setting when the LMCE wizard pops up. I'd specifically advise against using an HDMI cable and expecting it to pass video and sound to your TV. It might work, but more likely it will require extensive tinkering. Its easy to swap to a different display or connection after things are up and running.  
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*For sound, you can use computer speakers, or use an spdif connection to an external AV receiver. This is also easy to change later.
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*If you have a TV capture card, it will be configured during the installation. The wizard will ask where to get program guide information. In the US this is usually "schedulesdirect.org". Set up your account and know your username and password before starting the install.
  
[[Image:DownloadInstaller.jpg|400px]]
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==Caveats==
  
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*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.
  
'''3.''' Once you have downloaded the packages, proceed with the installation. First, you have to install mce-installer, which is the software that will guide you through the installation. Right-click on it, go to Kubuntu Package Menu -> Install Package.
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*LinuxMCE 0810 is based on Ubuntu 8.10, 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.
  
[[Image:Inst1.jpg|400px]]
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*<span style="color:#FF0000">Please please please be patient. Some parts of the installation can sometimes take hours. If in doubt, leave it overnight.</span>
  
 +
==Basic Installation Steps==
  
'''4.''' The installer will have put an "Install Linux MCE" icon on your desktop. Double-click it to start the installation process. A window will appear saying that you will be notified when updates are available.  
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I might help to think of installation as a 3-step process.
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*Run the DVD. This formats your drive, installs Kubuntu, and preps for LMCE installation. This step finishes by prompting reboot and DVD removal.
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*Install LinuxMCE. The reboot will take you to the Kubuntu screen. You'll recheck your internet connection, then click the LMCE install icon. More software will load and it will prompt another reboot.
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*Complete the 3 wizards (AV, House Setup, Media). This is where you tell LMCE about your system.
  
[[Image:Snapshot1.JPG|400px]]
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===Run the DVD===
  
After this you have to choose if you want a dedicated core or a hybrid ([http://linuxmce.com/wiki/index.php/Getting_Started#A_Dedicated_Core click here]to find out the difference between a core and a hybrid), and then click on "Forward" button.
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'''<span style="color:#FF0000">Caution: Installing LinuxMCE 0810 Final will wipe your entire drive! It is not designed to be dual-booted!</span>'''
  
[[Image:Snapshot2.JPG|400px]]
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'''If you just want to quickly try LinuxMCE, then consider setting it up temporarily as a virtual machine on your Linux, Mac, or Windows box. [http://www.virtualbox.org/ VirtualBox] will allow you to do this'''
  
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# Download the LinuxMCE 0810 Final ISO from [http://linuxmce.iptp.org/release/LinuxMCE-8.10-final.iso here]. ''Note: Always burn at your DVD drive's lowest speed to reduce the chance of errors.''
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# Boot from the DVD.
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# Select your language
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# Select the top option "LinuxMCE"
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# Wait until the installer loads, and then...
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## '''Welcome''' - Select your language.
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## '''Where are you?''' - Select your location and time zone.
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## '''Keyboard layout''' - Select your keyboard layout.
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## '''Prepare disk space''' - Set up your partitions as you wish, but the second option "Guided - use entire disk" is perfectly OK.
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## '''Who are you?''' - Set up your username, password and the system name (call it whatever you want). This username/password is specifically for the underlying system i.e. Kubuntu, it is NOT for LinuxMCE; this is handled separately.
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## '''Ready to install''' - Check everything is as it should be, and press "Install".
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# Let installation run through, and then remove disk and press enter when instructed to do so.
  
'''5.''' *Only for Nvidia cards - LinuxMCE will detect that you are using a nVidia Card, but you are not using the proprietary video driver. Only that driver works well with LinuxMCE and nvidia cards and it will ask you it you want to switch to it now. 
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===Install LinuxMCE===
  
[[Image:Snapshot3.JPG|400px]]
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# 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 (like the Intel gigabit card) then now is the time to install the driver and confirm operation. Then click the "LinuxMCE" icon on the desktop. This will start the LinuxMCE installation. You may need to enter your Kubuntu password.
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# Wait until the LinuxMCE installation has finished running through. You will see the following message when the installation is complete:
  
'''6.''' The next screen will ask you want to keep your current network configuration or if you want to set your network options manually; then press "Forward".
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The first phase of the install process is completed
[[Image:Snapshot4.JPG|400px]]
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Reboot the system to start the final process.
  
And then you must set your network using static IP or DHCP
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===Complete the Wizards===
  
[[Image:Snapshot5.JPG|400px]]
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Upon reboot, you will not see Kubuntu. More software will load, then the AV Wizard will start. If you connected the display with something other than a VGA cable, the screen will go black. You will have to press a number on your keyboard (just the number, don't hit "enter") to tell the wizard what connection to use. The default value is 2: VGA.
  
 +
<pre> Keys for choosing a connector:
  
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1: DVI
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2: VGA
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3: Component
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4: Composite
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5: S-Video
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Q: DVI-2
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W: VGA-2
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L: LVDS</pre>
  
'''7.''' You have to choose a mirror
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Then follow the wizards as described in the following links.
  
[[Image:Snapshot6.JPG|400px]]
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*[[AVWizard_Step_by_Step|AV Wizard]]  
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*[[House_Setup_Wizard|House Setup Wizard]]
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*[[Media_Player_Wizard|Media Setup Wizard]].
  
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Tip: After LMCE is up and running, the LinuxMCE installation icon on the Kubuntu desktop becomes a hazard. Clicking it will begin a reinstall and ruin your day. Best to right click and delete the icon!
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==Links==
  
'''8.''' In the next step you have 2 options :
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*[[:Category:AV_Wizard|AV Wizard]]
*First it asks you if you want to Run a DHCP Server or not. LinuxMCE must be the DHCP server for your home in order to provide plug-and-play detection of network devices like IP Cameras and VOIP phones, and to provide network boot images to any other pc's in the home you want to use as media stations.
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*[[:Category:Installation_Tutorials|General Installation Tutorials]]
*The other option asks if you want to keep the default Internal Network address or if you want to change it. If you have already a DHCP-Server running, choose also this option. You can then switch from 'manually' to 'DHCP'.
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After that you must press 'Forward'.
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[[Image:Snapshot7.JPG|400px]]
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'''9.''' In the next window you need to choose what interface you want to use and you have to pick one of three possibilities.
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[[Image:Snapshot8.JPG|400px]]
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'''10.''' On the next step you have to choose if you want to install lame and libdvdcss and if it is legal in your country to use them.
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[[Image:Snapshot9.JPG|400px]]
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'''11.''' You have to select how do you plan to use your computer: Primarily used as a PC- you can start LMCE manually when you need it or  A dedicated LinuxMCE and you can start ubuntu when you need it.
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[[Image:Snapshot10.JPG|400px]]
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'''12.''' This step is very important you have to insert
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LinuxMCE DISC 1
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[[Image:Snapshot11.JPG|400px]]
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LinuxMCE DISC 2
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[[Image:Snapshot12.JPG|400px]]
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Kubuntu 7.04 Live CD
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[[Image:Snapshot13.JPG|400px]]
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You can see the message about the Linux MCE system installation.
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[[Image:Snapshot14.JPG|400px]]
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Don't worry if the system seems to stop at points or report what seems like error messages. 
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This is normal since at places it will be testing drivers out, and is only there for the advanced Linux user. 
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You will get a dialog box if something really does go wrong.  And, understand this may take a very long time
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since it will in parallel be updating your Ubuntu system to the latest version.  Just leave it for an hour
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or two and come back later.
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[[Image:Snapshot8.jpg|400px]]
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'''9.''' In the final step you will see a message saying "Installation was finished , please reboot"
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[[Image:FinalStep.jpg|400px]]
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*(Optional) Ubuntu and Linux MCE won't install by default software needed to play DVD or some other restricted media formats that might be illegal in some countries. You can follow the [[Restricted Software Installation Guide]] if the restrictions don't apply to your country.
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Next reboot by choosing System, Quit, Restart from Ubuntu's desktop.  Note: The first time you start LinuxMCE it will take quite a while, like around 10 minute, because it will re-validate everything was installed ok.  After this it starts up pretty quickly, in less than 60 seconds.
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Next follow the [http://linuxmce.com/wiki/index.php?title=QuickStart_Guide Quick Start Guide] to tell LinuxMCE about how you want to use it.
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Note that if you said you want LinuxMCE to startup by default, after rebooting you'll have LinuxMCE, not Ubuntu.  If you will only use this as a media pc, that's fine; you won't ever need to access the Ubuntu desktop to set anything up and can do it all from either the LMCE UI and a remote control, or with the LMCE web admin panel using the web browser of any pc in your home.  But, if you want to use this as a normal Ubuntu PC too, and you want to start Ubuntu after LinuxMCE is going, there's not yet an icon to switch to Ubuntu from within LinuxMCE, so press Ctrl+Alt+F2, login, and type StartX.  If you said you want Ubuntu by default, it will boot to the Ubuntu desktop and you can choose Applications, Sound & Video, Start Media Center to start LinuxMCE manually.  When both LinuxMCE and Ubuntu are running, you can toggle between them by pressing ctrl+alt+f7 for Ubuntu and ctrl+alt+F11 for LinuxMCE.  Unfortunately, at this moment, once you start LinuxMCE there is no way to stop it.  The Ubuntu integration is still a work in progress.
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Latest revision as of 17:26, 5 March 2016

For the most up-to-date Final Release see the LinuxMCE 1404 install

About Installation (Version 0810 Final)

This page covers what we'll call mainstream installation. It shows how to get a LinuxMCE hybrid running with minimum bells and whistles. Once the basic installation is complete, users can look at the other sections of the wiki to learn how to add more advanced features. The basic hardware consists of the computer, display, and speakers. Look at the "Core & Hybrid" section of the wiki for hardware selection articles. Here is some pre-flight advice before installation.

  • The computer must be connected to the internet for a successful installation.
  • Recommend using a monitor for the initial install. Monitors are better than TVs for adapting to a wacky resolution setting (it could happen). You probably don't want to mess about with xorg.conf on your first install. Also recommend using a VGA cable because that is the default setting when the LMCE wizard pops up. I'd specifically advise against using an HDMI cable and expecting it to pass video and sound to your TV. It might work, but more likely it will require extensive tinkering. Its easy to swap to a different display or connection after things are up and running.
  • For sound, you can use computer speakers, or use an spdif connection to an external AV receiver. This is also easy to change later.
  • If you have a TV capture card, it will be configured during the installation. The wizard will ask where to get program guide information. In the US this is usually "schedulesdirect.org". Set up your account and know your username and password before starting the install.

Caveats

  • 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.
  • LinuxMCE 0810 is based on Ubuntu 8.10, 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.
  • Please please please be patient. Some parts of the installation can sometimes take hours. If in doubt, leave it overnight.

Basic Installation Steps

I might help to think of installation as a 3-step process.

  • Run the DVD. This formats your drive, installs Kubuntu, and preps for LMCE installation. This step finishes by prompting reboot and DVD removal.
  • Install LinuxMCE. The reboot will take you to the Kubuntu screen. You'll recheck your internet connection, then click the LMCE install icon. More software will load and it will prompt another reboot.
  • Complete the 3 wizards (AV, House Setup, Media). This is where you tell LMCE about your system.

Run the DVD

Caution: Installing LinuxMCE 0810 Final will wipe your entire drive! It is not designed to be dual-booted!

If you just want to quickly try LinuxMCE, then consider setting it up temporarily as a virtual machine on your Linux, Mac, or Windows box. VirtualBox will allow you to do this

  1. Download the LinuxMCE 0810 Final ISO from here. Note: Always burn at your DVD drive's lowest speed to reduce the chance of errors.
  2. Boot from the DVD.
  3. Select your language
  4. Select the top option "LinuxMCE"
  5. Wait until the installer loads, and then...
    1. Welcome - Select your language.
    2. Where are you? - Select your location and time zone.
    3. Keyboard layout - Select your keyboard layout.
    4. Prepare disk space - Set up your partitions as you wish, but the second option "Guided - use entire disk" is perfectly OK.
    5. Who are you? - Set up your username, password and the system name (call it whatever you want). This username/password is specifically for the underlying system i.e. Kubuntu, it is NOT for LinuxMCE; this is handled separately.
    6. Ready to install - Check everything is as it should be, and press "Install".
  6. Let installation run through, and then remove disk and press enter when instructed to do so.

Install LinuxMCE

  1. 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 (like the Intel gigabit card) then now is the time to install the driver and confirm operation. Then click the "LinuxMCE" icon on the desktop. This will start the LinuxMCE installation. You may need to enter your Kubuntu password.
  2. Wait until the LinuxMCE installation has finished running through. You will see the following message when the installation is complete:
The first phase of the install process is completed
Reboot the system to start the final process.

Complete the Wizards

Upon reboot, you will not see Kubuntu. More software will load, then the AV Wizard will start. If you connected the display with something other than a VGA cable, the screen will go black. You will have to press a number on your keyboard (just the number, don't hit "enter") to tell the wizard what connection to use. The default value is 2: VGA.

 Keys for choosing a connector:

1: DVI
2: VGA
3: Component
4: Composite
5: S-Video
Q: DVI-2
W: VGA-2
L: LVDS

Then follow the wizards as described in the following links.

Tip: After LMCE is up and running, the LinuxMCE installation icon on the Kubuntu desktop becomes a hazard. Clicking it will begin a reinstall and ruin your day. Best to right click and delete the icon!

Links