TeXLive 2007: Installing TeX/LaTeX and Support Programs on Your PC

The TeXLive 2007 system is a complete distribution of TeX, LaTeX, and associated programs. At Rensselaer, ARC makes this software available to the Rensselaer community in RCS space. Included are:

• the contents of the TeXlive2007 CD, ready for installation
• a few necessary support programs
• complete installation instructions

You do not need to download the files to your PC; you can install from RCS in the same way you would install from a CD. But you first need to connect to RCS space via sambasrv so that a drive is mapped to the appropriate RCS directory. (Finding the files via the web will not work: your PC must have a drive mapped.) Note that you must not be behind a firewall when you map the drive!

Map \\sambasrv\swinstall as drive T: on your PC, as follows (also see NOTE below):

• Right click on the My Computer desktop icon and, in the pop-up menu that appears, select Map Network Drive....
• A Map Network Drive window comes up. Select T: as the drive letter in the Drive: drop-down list box. (You can use a different drive letter if you want.)
• Fill in the Path or Folder field by typing \\sambasrv\swinstall Make sure the Reconnect at logon box is not selected or checked. Click Finish or OK.
• Provide your RCS userID and password if you are asked for a logon ID or password.
• The T: window may open automatically; if it doesn't, double-click the My Computer desktop icon. Inside, you should have an icon labeled
  swinstall on 'Samba (sambasrv)' (T:). Double-click this icon to open the drive.
• Open the latex folder, then open and print the installation instructions, install-windows.pdf. Follow these instructions carefully; they will guide you first through installation of the TeXLive system and then its support programs.
  Note that the installation instructions are also available on the web: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/arc/software/latex-doc/install-windows.pdf

NOTE:
Before mapping a network drive to sambasrv, you need to enable plain text passwords. If you haven't done this already (you will get an error that you are not "authorized" when you try to map a drive), you can do it easily by following the instructions at: http://helpdesk.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=118

If you have questions or problems installing this software, contact the Help Desk at consult@rpi.edu or see the troubleshooting tips.