3.1 Introduction 

3.1.1 Generalities 

The main installation program and the interfaces non specific to Windows 9x/NT are written entirely in low-level language (batch language of DOS), so that they are usable with all operating systems available on PC (DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 9x/NT, OS/2 and Linux).

The installation of AsTEX is entirely customizable and the installation program offers you different choices by means of questions and menus. The express installation uses the default values of this program: you only have to type on the key Entry to every question or to every displayed menu. Only exceptions:

1.  For some crucial stages (beginning the installation, updating automatically the file autoexec.bat), you must type on the key O instead of Entry.
2.  You must select the printer that you want to use.

3.1.2 Installation from the CD-ROM 

If you make the installation from the CD-ROM, the Plug & Play mode and the type of installation Exec-CD are selected by default.

For a first installation, it is recommended not to modify these parameters: the installation is very fast, occupy very little room on disk (40 Mb), and you can test the totality of functionalities of the distribution. If, after some use, the execution from the CD-ROM appears to be too slow, you are able always to use it in Plug & Play mode from the hard disk if you have enough room to copy the CD-ROM there, or otherwise to deactivate the Plug & Play mode and complement the installation subsequently on your hard disk (cf. chap. 4, Customized installation).

3.1.3 Installation on a network 

If you have networked machines with a files server (PC under Windows 9x or NT or under Linux with Samba, Novell server, Unix workstation) you can install and use the distribution in Plug & Play mode on every client machine. In this way, only the core of AsTEX is installed on every client, all others files and programs are loaded from the server (every client PC has of coursre its own configuration). To do that :

1.  Insert the CD-ROM of AsTEX in the server's CD-ROM drive.
2.  Export the server's CD-ROM drive as disk network, if you have little room on the server or if you want to make a temporary installation. Otherwise, copy the totality of the content of the CD-ROM in a directory of the server, then export this directory as disk network.
3.  Install the distribution on every client PC in Plug & Play mode, from the thus created disk network.

3.1.4 Installation from the hard disk 

If you make the installation from your hard disk (when you downloaded the distribution by ftp), the Standard installation is selected by default. This installation type requires between 45 Mb and a few hundreds of Mb on your hard disk, according to the packages that you install.