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Running LivePCs - moka5 Engine User Guide - Windows

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Running LivePCs

Starting and running a LivePC

LivePCs are started from the moka5 Engine. A LivePC in the ready state will start without any memory of its past state. It is similar to starting a computer by turning on the power. Simply click on the green button with the overlapping arrows:

You can also leave a LivePC in a suspended state. When you suspend a LivePC it retains information on any open windows. It is similar to suspending a computer. When you click on the play button it will resume the LivePC in state you left it in with the same applications and windows open. It is similar to waking a PC from sleep to resume where you left off.

There is also the option to 'Revert' your suspended LivePC. You should revert a LivePC if you are using a removable device and have changed host machines. Also if your LivePC is not behaving normally you can use 'Revert' to start fresh. If you believe your LivePC has contracted a virus 'Revert' will remove it.

NOTE: When you use a removable storage device and move between computers you should always exit the LivePC before removing the device. If you leave it in a suspended state and move to a different computer you should choose the 'Revert' button. This will prevent any hardware and system differences between the host machines from affecting your LivePC.

When you start a LivePC there will be a short delay before it starts running.

LivePC status display

The play button has several visual states reflecting the download status of the LivePC. Three arrows reflects a fully downloaded (buffered) LivePC that will run quickly. A start button with only one arrow will run more slowly and you may find yourself waiting for components to download.

Button
Bar
 Text Status Description

not buffered

 The LivePC has not been downloaded and is not downloading. Only one LivePC is actively downloaded at a time. You can switch which LivePC is being downloaded by clicking on the single start arrow or on the download status bar. A blue outline identifies the LivePC currently being downloaded.
buffering...

The LivePC is being downloaded. It is not ready to play well. Only one LivePC is actively downloaded at a time. The blue outline identifies the LivePC currently being downloaded.
  calculating... The LivePC is unavailable.
buffering... The LivePC has been partially downloaded. You may click on the double arrows to launch the LivePC but it may not play smoothly.
ready The LivePC has been extensively downloaded. You may click on the double arrows to launch the LivePC. It should play smoothly.
ready The LivePC is fully downloaded and ready to run. Click on the triple arrows to launch the LivePC.
suspended.

The LivePC is suspended. Clicking on the triple arrows will resume running the LivePC in the state you left it in. Any previously running applications will be open.

If you are concerned that the LivePC has contracted a virus or if you'd like to be sure you are using the latest version you can instead click on the revert icon to open the LivePC in a fresh state.

NOTE: You can't package or edit a suspended LivePC.
ready (available offline) The LivePC has the 'Let me use this LivePC offline' option enabled and is fully downloaded and ready for use without an internet connection.
ready (local) The LivePC has 'Let me make changes to this LivePC' checked and is ready for local use. It is not updated to reflect changes to a version in the LivePC Library.
starting... The LivePC is starting up.
running... The LivePC is running. Clicking on the square will shutdown the LivePC. There will be a confirmation window 'Abort this operation'. Click on 'yes' to shutdown.
packaging... % The LivePC is being packaged and is not available.
uploading... % The LivePC is being uploaded and is not available.
checking for updates... The LivePC is checking for updates by the creator.

Stopping a LivePC

Use the LivePC the same way you would use a normal PC. If you want to stop using the LivePC you can use the operating system's standard shutdown option to exit or quit. Different LivePCs will have different shutdown options depending on the operating system. After you shutdown a LivePC you will return to the moka5 Engine. In the Fearless Browser you can click on the door in the bottom right corner of the window:

While the recommended way to shut down a LivePC is to use the shutdown option its operating system, you can also shutdown to exit a LivePC by using the VMWare Player drop down menu. First press the 'Ctrl' and 'Alt' keys at the same time so that your mouse or trackpad will allow you to reach the VMWare Player drop down menu. Select 'Troubleshoot > Power Off and Exit'. Selecting simply 'Exit' from the menu will suspend the LivePC.

Comparing shutdown and suspend

You can either shutdown a LivePC or suspend it. When you start a LivePC after a shutdown it will clean up your LivePC and provide any updates from the creator.

Suspending a LivePC has the Engine maintain state information for when you resume running the LivePC. State information includes which applications you had open and how you were using them. A suspended LivePC launches more quickly than one that was shutdown. It basically allows you to continue where you left off using the LivePC. However it also has information related to the specific host PC for the LivePC. If you are using a removable storage device you should shutdown before moving between machines, or click on the revert icon rather than the resume icon after inserting the device into another machine.

Selecting 'Exit' in the drop down menu for VMWare Player will leave the LivePC in a suspended state. As will clicking on the close button in the top right corner of the player.

  Suspend Shutdown
Personal data Keeps personal data. Keeps personal data.
Effects

Maintains the state the LivePC is left in.

Updates system and software if LivePC has changed (unless 'Let me make changes' is set).

Keeps open the applications in use.

Closes all the applications in use.
Does not check for system updates. If you are making changes to a LivePC you should shutdown to save your changes. If you are concerned you have picked up a virus you should shutdown to get a refreshed clean virus free copy of your LivePC.
Why For faster startup of your LivePC on a single host.

To refresh your copy with any updates and remove any potential instabilities from malware.
When   Using a LivePC on a removable device between different host computers.
How Use the exit button on the VMware window. Press the 'Ctrl' and 'Alt' keys at the same time so that you can use the VMWare drop down menu. Select 'Player > Troubleshoot > Power Off and Exit'.

NOTE: Exiting or suspending a LivePC is not an immediate action. It takes time for the LivePC to exit. The moka5 Engine will continue to show the LivePC as running until it has fully closed. You can see the status of closing the LivePC in your Windows toolbar.

If the LivePC is displayed on the full screen you can press the 'Control' and Alt' keys to shrink the window and expose the Windows environment.

If the LivePC hangs, you can use the VMWare Player Menu Bar to shut it down. Select 'Troubleshoot', then click on 'Power off and exit.' If you wish to suspend the LivePC, go the VMPlayer Menu Bar, and choose 'Exit.'

Quitting the moka5 Engine & safely removing a portable drive

When you are done using the moka5 Engine from an external device, you must be sure to shutdown our software before unplugging the device. After stopping any running LivePCs click the 'x' in the top right corner of the moka5 engine.

The splash screen will flash a message that it is safe to unplug the device.

To ensure that the unplug is clean and causes no future problems with your LivePCs, we recommend that you go to the 'Safely Remove Hardware' task icon in the lower right hand of the Windows desktop, left click on it and select the drive you want to unplug. You will then be informed it is safe to remove the device.

Alternatively you can click on the Windows 'Start', go to 'My Computer', and click on the moka5 USB icon. After clicking on the icon there will be an option to 'Eject' the device:

Windows XP should notify you if it also thinks it is safe to unplug the device. At this point you can safely unplug the device.

If you unplug the device while the moka5 Engine is still running then a reminder to reinsert the device will open stating "Drive disconnected, please replace". Please plug the removable drive back into the computer and close the moka5 Engine before removing the device safely. Even when a device is not unplugged cleanly, and not reinserted into the same machine, the Engine will attempt clean up the device and it should function normally. If a LivePC is running when a device is unplugged it may be left in an unclean state and not behave normally. When the LivePC is next used you should use the revert icon to return it to a clean state for normal operation. Reverting the LivePC makes sure that the copy of the LivePC on your removable device and the server are identical. Your personal data should be secure unless you were working on a file when the device was removed.

Introduction Running LivePCs Beyond the Demo Backup Create Visual Index