Id like to try mandriva out but do i need to download a checksum like i used for linux

That is like asking "Do I need insurance?"

If nothing goes wrong then no you don't need to (I very rarely do it).

But if something does go wrong, and it is the download that is at fault, then you will have saved yourself an awful lot of time by just checking the md5 sum before you burn and install it.

Your call really.

Good luck with it anyway it is a very good distro.

id managed to find 1 for linux but didnt have much luck in fidning 1 for mandriva

Mandriva is just one of many different distributions (or "flavors") of Linux. You can usually find the md5sum file in the same directory as the dvd or cd isos on the ftp tree. It will have the exact same name as the regular iso, but it will have .md5 as the file extension.

Is that so? Please show me the insurance company that has such such a perfect service, and that is willing to give it for free!

ok thanks, but whats the ftp tree, ive downloaded the iso for mandriva and theres a picture of a cd with iso written in front of it

The ftp tree would be where you downloaded that iso from. That iso is ready to be burned to a cd (as an image, not just as the file) and you can most likely use it just fine. The md5sum would help you to check and see if the file you downloaded matches the size of the file that was created for distribution by Mandriva.

So ill just burn the iso to dvd and install it then

Best to get the appropriate md5 file here:

ftp://ftp.free.fr/pub/Distributions_Linux...cial/iso/2008.1

For instructions on how to use it:

http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/Docs/Installin...n_does_not_work

Jim

maybe its a bit late as thats going over my head, might download the live cd instead, thanks anyway