Getting Started
Getting started with OpenMandriva is easy and takes only three steps. Before you take those steps, however, it’s important to back up your system. Though OpenMandriva can be installed next to Windows or another operating system, this is a complex setup. You want to have a backup of your data in case anything goes wrong.
Please also know that help is only a click away on the forums. If you have any questions or concerns before you install, feel free to ask a question there.
After you’ve made a backup and you’re ready to get started, installing OpenMandriva takes only three steps.
Step One: Downloading OpenMandriva
OpenMandriva comes in several editions: Rock, ROME, and Cooker. Each one has its strengths; your first decision is to choose which edition is right for you.
Step Two: Making a USB Installer
Once you’ve chosen and downloaded OpenMandriva, the next thing you do is make a bootable USB stick. You’ll need a stick that has at least 8GB of storage. You’ll lose all the data currently on the stick; it must be dedicated to making the installer, so if you have data on it already, make sure you copy it somewhere else.
Step Three: Installing OpenMandriva
Once you’ve prepared your USB installer, you insert it into an available USB port, start your computer into its boot menu, choose the USB device, and the OpenMandriva installer boots on your system. From there, you go through the installation routine and install OpenMandriva.
This is a high level overview of the procedure. When you’re ready to begin, follow the instructions in the links below.