Four installation questions from a new user

[pccobbler]

I could not get Mageia to install via a USB flash drive, as it kept asking for the CD-ROM to be inserted. When it asks for the CD-ROM, is there a trick to get it to accept the USB flash drive?

When freshly installed, the only text editor is emacs. I understand that some people like it -- I prefer vi for that sort of thing -- but non-developers would prefer something like leafpad. Sure, leafpad is easy to install, but I suggest that some generic text editor be included with Mageia 7.

During installation, I was asked if I wanted to use online media. I assume this referred to using a mirror instead of the potentially older packages on the CD-ROM. I answered "yes," but then it complained of a number of access failures, maybe ten (I forgot to write them down). I pressed "Previous" to get back to the screen to select "no" as my answer, but then Mageia told me that my installation was finished. When the system booted for the first time, I entered "dnf update" into a terminal, but I was told "Nothing to do." In the future, should I select "no" for online media?

During installation, there was a screen with init options, with one of them being systemd-xxxxxx. So if this option is not selected, is systemd not installed and Unix init used? I hope so, because systemd is terrible.

[pccobbler]

I didn't see a way to edit the above, so I'm adding two things.

The desktop in question in Cinnamon.

Also, when I installed Mageia again and selected "no" for online media, there were no errors, but now there is a red question mark in the toolbar complaining about Software Media Manager ("No medium found. You must add some media through Software Media Manager."), which does not even exist in All Applications in the start menu. I looked for /etc/apt/sources.list, as that is the file to edit for Debian/Devuan, but there is no /etc/apt directory. How do I force it to look online for updates?

[benmc]

I could not get Mageia to install via a USB flash drive, as it kept asking for the CD-ROM to be inserted. When it asks for the CD-ROM, is there a trick to get it to accept the USB flash drive?

which was your install media? Live Plasma, Gnome or Xfce, Classical install i586 or x86_64 or net installer?
what program did you use to burn the Mageia install media to the USB?
was this before install or adding software after install?
please be more specific or verbose.

During installation, I was asked if I wanted to use online media. I assume this referred to using a mirror instead of the potentially older packages on the CD-ROM. I answered "yes," but then it complained of a number of access failures, maybe ten (I forgot to write them down). I pressed "Previous" to get back to the screen to select "no" as my answer, but then Mageia told me that my installation was finished. When the system booted for the first time, I entered "dnf update" into a terminal, but I was told "Nothing to do." In the future, should I select "no" for online media?

It is likely that you were attempting to use WiFi networking. If you have a network card that requires proprietary drivers, the drivers can only be loaded during reboot after install. had you used a wired lan cable, there should not have been a problem, unless for some reason the mirrors were unavailable- it happens
If you were unable to set up the online repos, then yes "nothing to do" as no update info is available..

When freshly installed, the only text editor is emacs. I understand that some people like it -- I prefer vi for that sort of thing -- but non-developers would prefer something like leafpad. Sure, leafpad is easy to install, but I suggest that some generic text editor be included with Mageia 7.

Which media did you use to perform the install. Different desktops have a different set of default applications, so if you installed "Xfce" you would get the Xfce set of desktop tools. Leafpad is default text editor for LXDE, so I am guessing you did not install LXDE.

During installation, there was a screen with init options, with one of them being systemd-xxxxxx. So if this option is not selected, is systemd not installed and Unix init used? I hope so, because systemd is terrible.

Mageia has had systemd for some time, and I understand that you cannot not install it as part of the system.
With regards to the 3rd part of this quote, systemd is a polarising topic. If you wish to discuss it further, I would suggest opening a separate thread

[pccobbler]

I am using Cinnamon, burned on a USB flash drive via Rufus on W-7. Sorry, I tried to edit my original response but editing appears to be impossible, and then I tried to reply quickly, but I am on the spam list so my comments are placed on a queue to be approved by a moderator.

This PC does not have a wireless card. It's a desktop, but it does have an Intel Ethernet card being used instead of the on-board networking (the on-board one is disabled in BIOS). If a discrete Ethernet card is a problem, then Mageia won't work for me.

Yes, I agree, systemd is polarizing. I was merely asking if Mageia used it, not trying to start a flame war.

[maracuja]

The ethernet card may well not be a problem once the system is installed, but you might not be able to use it during the installation. If you install from the flash drive without activating any additional repositories, then after the installation is completed and the computer has been rebooted into the Mageia install you can add the repositories in Mageia Control Center. Under Software Management choose to configure media sources... and click 'add' to add a mirror. After the mirror is added you should be able to check for updates. All of this of course assuming that you can get an internet connection.

[benmc]

I have not had an issue with wired LAN before.
I would suggest a new thread with your card info and a discription of your problem under "networking".
Do you have a firewall or proxy server?

Cinnamon should have shipped with gedit as a text editor, if it is not included, please create a bug report.

"No medium found. You must add some media through Software Media Manager."

this one catches quite a few.

Please read all sections of the Mageia Welcome. (4 pages + Applications tab)
It will explain how to set up your on-line media and start the process if you click the links.

Disable the two entries that are "CD-rom" usually #1 & 2. set up online media with the add button

You might also want to check out : https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Install_medi ... _beginners (looks like it needs to be updated)