Dear friends

I will install Mandriva 2005 LE on an HP Pavilion zd8000 in a couple of weeks.

I have read somewhere that it is better to go and pay for the box version instead of downloading ISO images because the box version should have better up to date drivers etc. I expect to struggle with ATI Mobility Radion x600 on an 17" WXGA screen.

Is it normal that there is a difference in the box version and the downloads? I would of course like not to spend the money!

Thanx

My own thoughts on this - and I may well be wrong - is that if you go to somewhere like PlanetMirror, you will find the latest versions including the beta versions.

When you buy a boxed version - like I did with Mandrake 10.1 - you are reliant upon the build that was current when the CD's/DVD was compiled and that is not necessarily the latest version.

It is more of a question of searching the Internet to find the mirror sites that host the latest version of the distro that you favour. That really is, in my opinion, the only way to get the most up to date version.
Linux flavours are always being updated.
By the time that the new distro version ships and is on sale in the shops, you can bet your bottom dollar that a new version has taken its place.

Good luck

Mandrake/Mandriva releases a new version every 6 months (but from the next release it'll be every year). Untill they release a new version what you buy on CDs/DVDs in a boxed set will be the same versions as what is on the mirrors. There are of course the updates which you have to download (using the GUI in the Control Centre or manually if you want) wether you got the 3CD download version or a boxed set.

I wouldn't recommend any 'beta' version at all. These are just for testing, not for everyday use. Only install them if you intend to help in the development process by testing things (and they will break) and filing bug reports.

The difference between the Power Pack (ie. boxed) versions and the download version is that the boxed version includes the full main repository - ie. all the packages that Mandriva has packed for the distro. The 3CD download version only has a portion of the main repository (since its much bigger than 3CDs - its about 3500 packages or 3.4GB in 2005LE). The other main difference is that the boxed set includes packages for closed-source applications (flash, real player, adobe reader etc.) and closed-source drivers (eg. NVIDIA) that make it painless and simple to install these programs. Some of the boxed sets may also include a portion of the contrib repository (packages made by 3rd party community contributors).

Wether you download it or get it in a boxed set you should go to http://easyurpmi.zarb.org and setup access to the full main and contrib repos and the rest of the repositories (PLF - stuff that can't be included for legal reasons such as DVD and Windows Media playing; and jpackage - some Java packages). Once you've done that the only difference between what you've got and what's in the boxed set is the closed-source applications and drivers which you will have to download install manually from their respective websites, just like you do in Windows.

Also if you're thinking of getting the boxed set I would instead buy a club membership - that way you can get the full version of the next release as well. You also get access to the closed-source apps and drivers if you're a club member.

there are alot of advantages to buying a pack though. you get tech support and some other things. plus you are helping support mandriva.
downloading iso's have their advantages as the other members have posted. if you are intent on buying (the choice is yours) i would wait for 2006 to be released.

Thanx guys for good answers!

As I am completely new, I still fear somewhat not getting the installation right, and I would hate to struggle afterwards. Therefore I will buy the box since it is my very start. Later, for updates or even if I change to other distros when I am more experienced, I think it makes sense to go via the servers.

And I do not mind supporting the project!

Any ideas where to buy this box in the US? online?

Thanx but this confuses me:

According to the website http://store.mandriva.com/product_in...5ed9bfdda10e8b

there is no service or support included. (as seen on site)

Wasn't that the whole point of paying? Access to the club and better support?

???

Hmm.. well it looks like there is a difference between just the 'boxed' edition and the power pack edition. The boxed one doesn't have support where as the full 'Power Pack' does. I think because 2005LE is a 'Limited Edition' they haven't made a powerpack version of it - they've only got it for 10.1.

So you can either:
1. Join the club instead - its better value if you want the extra software (commercial apps etc.) and you are still supporting Mandriva
2. Buy the 2005LE 'box' and buy web or phone support incidents as you need them (expensive)
3. Buy the 10.1 PowerPack which includes support AFAICT (10.1 may be getting a bit old, you only get updates for it for 18 months from the initial release date)
4. Wait for them to release 2006 and the 2006 powerpack

Hi everyone,

I found a pretty good how-to on http://www.trustonme.net/didactels/260.html

It should help you (and me tomorrow) to install your stuff.

The only thing i'm wondering, is, will Mandriva only install a temporary driver so I can *see* something on the screen and launch the GUI installer from ATI ?!

By the way, as I'm coming back to Mandriva, I'm also wondering which distribution I should take. I tried downloading a 2005 LE, taken from a official/10.2 directory, but ended up with a cooker version (=not stable, I don't want that). The stuff won't even boot the installer anyway (loopable fatal something error...)

Therefore my question is : where can I find a *really official* 2005 LE version ? Or should I go for a 10.1 official and have fun with the ATI stuff thereafter ?

Thanks to you guys for your help,

Matt.

http://mirror.hamakor.org.il/pub/mir...iso/10.2/i586/
linky ^^^^^^
search manrivalinux.com
google "index of /" mandriva

i had a 10.1 with 30 days tech. but the company switch to mepis so know i got all these mepis (which i doont use) with tech support just sitting around.

love it when companies change S.O.P's