Introduction - moka5 Engine User Guide
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Introduction to the Moka5 Engine and installation
- Overview
- System requirements
- Download and launch the installer
- Windows installation on your computer's internal hard drive
- Windows installation on a removable storage device
- Special notes on removable installations
- Macintosh installation on your computer's internal hard drive
- Macintosh installation on a removable storage device
- Configuring VMware Fusion on a Mac
- Launching the Moka5 Engine™
- RETURN to table of contents
Overview
In using computers everyday you likely send email, check the news, track finances. In using different computers you probably have different programs on each machine, maybe even different operating systems. Have you wished each machine had the same applications? Or that the bookmark you just added to your browser were on the other machine? Have you worried about computer viruses or your child deleting the wrong files? LivePCs can help you in each case.
A LivePC is a virtual computer. You can run a different operating system and different applications within it than the computer normally runs. You can run this virtual computer directly on a computer or from a portable drive on most computers. LivePCs can be found in the LivePC Library on Moka5.com or you can make, and even share, your own.
Variety
LivePCs are run from our Moka5 Engine on Windows XP or Intel based Mac machines. You can run many different LivePCs from the engine. Have an application you'd like to use that only works under DOS? You can have a DOS LivePC and add that application. Would you like to run some applications under Linux? Download a Linux LivePC. Would you like to have a safe games play space for your child? Launch a child friendly LivePC.
Offline Use
LivePCs can be set for use without access to the internet. You could compose an email at the top of Mount Everest on your LivePC to send once you are again connected to the web.
Security
LivePCs run on your computer but they are copies of the ones maintained on our servers. The LivePC operating system and applications are kept separate from your personal data. If your LivePC gets a virus, it will be removed when you exit and re-launch the LivePC. The operating system and applications on a LivePC are kept clean by matching them to the LivePC in the LivePC Library on Moka5.com.
LivePCs are also independent. You can choose to share documents between them, but they are otherwise not able to open or affect files in other LivePCs.
Updates
The Moka5 Engine downloads LivePCs and their updates seamlessly in the background. Each time you launch a LivePC any updates are automatically applied. You simply click on the LivePC start button to run the latest version.
Portability
You can put LivePCs and the Engine on a memory card, USB flash drive, USB hard disk, or an iPod and take them to another machine. When installed on a USB device from a Mac computer you will be able to take your LivePCs between Intel based Macs and Windows XP machines. When installed from a Windows machine you will be able to connect your portable memory device to a Windows XP computer and run the operating system and applications in your LivePCs.
Backups
Your portable LivePC and your personal data can be backed up automatically to a Windows XP computer. Should you lose your portable drive you can create a new one from the backup.
Personalization
You can also create and share your own LivePCs, either by modifying existing LivePCs or creating your own from scratch. You can then register your LivePC at Moka5.com to share with the world or just your friends, or you can keep it private. By posting and subscribing to your own LivePC you can be assured that any spyware you pickup in your LivePC virtual computer will be removed the next time you launch it.
To start you must first download the Moka5 Engine™ Windows or Mac installer. You can then run the default LivePC, or subscribe to new LivePCs at www.moka5.com/livepc.
System requirements
To run LivePCs you need to meet the following hardware and software requirements:
Windows requirements
- Windows XP (Home, Pro, or Media Center) with Service Pack 2
- Account with local administrator privileges unless the Moka5 Engine has been previously installed
- 1 GHz Pentium III processor or better
- 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended for creating LivePCs)
- Network connection to the Internet (during installation and for updates)
- Hard drive with at least 2 GB of free space (4 GB recommended)
- Video display that supports a resolution of 1024x768 or higher
Mac requirements
- Intel Mac with OS X 10.4 or 10.5 and 2GB of free disk space
- 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended for creating LivePCs)
- VMware Fusion 1.0 or 1.1 (RC) pre-installed
- Account with administrator privileges unless the Moka5 Engine and VMware Fusion have been previously installed and configured
- Network connection to the Internet (during installation and for updates)
Requirements for removable storage device installation
- An external device:
- HD-based (iPod Video or other hard drive device)
- Flash memory (USB thumb drive, MP3 player, or SD card)
- Minimum drive capacity: 1 GB
- Drive must be FAT formatted not HFS
- Moka5 Engine: The mobile removable storage device can be used with any PC that has the Windows XP SP2 operating system. If installed from a Intel based Mac it can be run on any Intel based Mac with VMware Fusion installed or any Windows XP SP2 machine. Installing and running the Moka5 engine on a Windows machine requires local administration privilege on the host PC, or for the Moka5 Engine to have been previously installed on the host by an administrator.
Download and launch the installer
Download and run the Moka5 Engine Windows or Mac installer. This Windows file is about 47 MB and will take about 8 minutes to install on a broadband Internet connection. The Mac desktop file is about 19 MB while the removable version is about 140 MB, neither includes VMware Fusion. You can install onto the hard drive of your computer (for a faster experience) or a removable drive for a portable use. You may wish to install a Moka5 Engine directly on a PC so that your Moka5 Engine environment is always available from that machine. A locally installed Moka5 Engine will run fastest.
Windows installation on your computer's internal hard drive
Install the Moka5 Engine™ by running the downloaded setup file, and following the installation instructions. There are seven steps the InstallShield Wizard will take you through during installation.
- Setup Type: Select 'Desktop' to install the Moka5 Engine on your PC hard drive. Then click 'Next >'.
- Welcome: The installer will confirm that it will install the Moka5 Engine on your desktop. Select 'Next >' again.
- License Agreement: You will need to accept the Moka5 End User License Agreement. Click the 'I accept...' button before clicking 'Next >'. You may print the agreement if you choose.
- Choose Destination Location: You may accept the default location or use 'Browse' to select another. Click 'Next' to continue.
- Ready to Install the Program: You will then be presented with a confirmation that the system is ready to be installed before seeing the files copied to your hard drive. Click 'Next >' to continue.
- Setup Status: A status bar will keep you informed of the installation progress.
- Install Shield Wizard Complete: When the installation is completed on your Desktop, you will have the option to view the Read Me document and to launch the Moka5 Engine™. Click 'Finish' to exit the installation.
Windows installation on a removable storage device
Installing a Moka5 Engine on a removable external device allows you to take your Moka5 Engine with you. You can install onto a removable device as a limited user if the host machine already has the Moka5 Engine installed. The instructions below assume you are performing the installation while logged in as a local administrator.
For the following special installations please read the linked extra notes first:
- Installing and running removable devices on a host computer as a limited user or guest
- Using an iPod as a removable device
- Running a USB device on a new host computer as local administrator
Install the Moka5 Engine by running the downloaded setup file, and following the installation instructions. There are seven steps the InstallShield Wizard will take you through during installation.
- Setup Type: Insert your device and select 'Portable storage device' and click 'Next >'.
- Select a Drive: The installer will ask you to select the removable storage device onto which you wish to install the Moka5 Engine. You will need to connect your storage device to the computer if you haven't already. Your external device should appear in the list. Check the box to the left of the correct device and click 'Next >':
- Welcome: The installer will confirm that it will install on your removable storage device. Click 'Next >' to continue.
- License Agreement: To accept the Moka5 End User License Agreement, click the 'I accept...' button. You may print the agreement if you choose by clicking 'Print'. Click 'Next >' to continue.
- Ready to Install the Program: The wizard will confirm that it will install the Moka5 Engine on your removable storage device before copying the files. Click 'Next >' to continue.
- Setup Status: A status bar will be displayed while the Moka5 Engine is being installed on your device.
- Install Shield Wizard Complete: When the installation is completed on your removable storage device, you will have the option to view the README document and to launch the Moka5 Engine. Click 'Finish' to leave the installer.
Special notes on removable installations
- Installing and running removable devices on a host computer as a limited user or guest:
- Before running as a limited user or guest we recommend that you log in as a local administrator and perform a desktop installation of the Moka5 Engine. After logging back out, multiple different limited users or guests will be able to install and use the Moka5 Engine on their individual removable storage devices. Only one Moka5 Engine can be running at a time. Each user will need to exit the Moka5 Engine before switching to another user. (Return to installation instructions.)
- Using an iPod as removable device:
- When installing onto an iPod confirm that disk mode is turned on. This is the default setting of most new iPods. If you're using an older version of an iPod, or you have reconfigured your iPod not to use its disk interface, you need reconfigure the iPod. Plug the iPod into your computer and run iTunes. Open the options by either: right clicking the iPod icon, clicking the iPod in the lower right hand corner of the iTunes software, or selecting the 'Edit->Preferences' menu item and choosing the iPod options tab. Confirm that the checkbox for 'Enable disk use' is selected. (Return to installation instructions.)
- Running a USB device on a new host computer as local administrator:
- If necessary the Moka5 Engine will install or upgrade VMware Player on the host machine in the background during launch. This will slow the initial launch. When you quit the Moka5 Engine a dialog box will give you the option of leaving VMware Player installed for a faster launch in the future. (Return to installation instructions.)
Macintosh installation on your computer's internal hard drive
Before installing the Moka5 Engine™ you will need to have installed VMware Fusion 1.0 or 1.1. After downloading the Moka5 Engine you will have a Moka5 icon on your desktop. The first time you launch the Moka5 Engine VMware Fusion will be configured. See the configuration notes below.
Macintosh installation on a removable storage device
Installing a Moka5 Engine on a removable external device allows you to take your Moka5 Engine and LivePCs with you. You will need to supply and administrator name and password to complete the installation if you haven't previously installed and run the Engine on this machine. VMware Fusion 1.0 or above must have been previously installed on the Mac and the removable device must be FAT formatted to support Windows machines. We do not install on HFS (Mac only) formatted devices. If you are using an iPod as a removable device see the extra notes above.
Install the Moka5 Engine by running the downloaded file and following the installation instructions. The disk image should be automatically opened to display the Moka5 Engine package. If the package does not automatically launch double click on 'moka5engine.pkg'. There are seven steps to the installation.
- Introduction: Insert your device and click 'Continue' to allow the installer to determine if the installation can move forward and then click 'Continue'.
- Read Me: Read the limitations and known bugs before clicking 'Continue'.
- License: To accept the Moka5 Software License Agreement, click 'Continue' and then the 'Agree' button. You may print the agreement if you choose by clicking 'Print' or save a copy by clicking the 'Save' button.
- Select Destination: Your removable device should be marked with a green arrow. If you haven't inserted it yet you should do so now, it will appear as an option. Click 'Continue' once the correct device is selected.
- Installation Type: Click 'Install' to perform an easy install.
- Install: A status bar will be displayed while the Moka5 Engine is being installed on your device.
- Finish Up: You will be informed that the software was successfully installed. Click 'Close'.
The following items will have been installed on your removable device. They will allow you to run your LivePCs on other Intel based Macs with VMware Fusion installed and on Windows XP computers.
The first time you launch the Moka5 Engine VMware Fusion will be configured. See the configuration notes below.
Configuring VMware Fusion on a Mac
- The first time you run the Moka5 Engine on a specific Mac you will need to configure VMware Fusion. Double click the Engine icon on your desktop or removable device.
- A 'Welcome Screen' will open. A 'Configure VMware Fusion' screen will open on top of the 'Welcome Screen'. Click 'Install' to complete the installation.
- A window will open requiring you to provide an administrator user name and password.
- The 'Configure VMware Fusion' window will confirm the components have been successfully installed.
NOTE: When there are updates to the Moka5 Engine you will need to re-configure VMware Fusion.
Launching the Moka5 Engine™
Windows desktop: After a desktop installation, you can launch the Moka5 Engine from the desktop by double clicking the Moka5 Engine icon. If the icon has been removed you can open the Engine from within Windows. Click on the 'Start' button, select 'All Programs' and click on 'Moka5'.
Mac desktop and portable: Double click the Engine icon on the desktop or the portable device. (If this is the first time you launch the Moka5 Engine you will need to 'Configure VMware Fusion' as described above.) Mac NOTEs: You can not run VMware Fusion and the Moka5 Engine at the same time. VMware 'Unity' mode is unsupported in LivePCs. Each running LivePC will have its own VMware icon in the dock.
Windows portable: To launch a Moka5 Engine from an external device, plug it into a computer with a Windows XP SP2 operating system where you are logged in as a local administrator, or where the LivePC Engine has already been installed.
If the removable drive auto launches click 'Launch Moka5 Engine' and then 'OK' in the following window:
If the removable device does not auto launch you will need to manually start the Moka5 Engine. Click on the Windows 'Start', go to 'My Computer', and click on the Moka5 icon.
On startup (Windows and Mac): When you launch the Moka5 Engine™, a Welcome Screen will come up, followed by a second screen that informs you that the software is loading.
The Moka5 Engine™ interface will launch. The Moka5 Engine comes with a demonstration LivePC: Fearless Browser. The LivePC will need to be downloaded to your Moka5 Engine. Depending on your internet connection it may take some time. The LivePC will display 'downloading' under its name until then. After installing the Moka5 Engine and allowing the LivePC to be downloaded, you can use your first LivePC!
Note: If you are running firewall or virus protection software you may need to grant access for individual LivePCs or VMware Player to connect to the internet. The internet connection allows the LivePC to be download initially. LivePCs are maintained by their creators and you will receive updates automatically which will also require access to the internet. LivePCs are also compared to the version on the server each time they are started. If any spyware has infected your LivePC it will be removed as your LivePC is reset to match that stored on the server.
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