Installation

[russellhltn]

Transfer of MLS files to the new computer is a simple process of copying the C:\Program Files\LDS Church\MLS folder to the same location on the new computer.

*IF* the computer has already had MLS installed on it. Even then you might run into trouble if the original MLS install is considerably older then the one you are copying over.

There is also the strong likelihood that the new computer will encounter an Aferia security error. You'll have to call CHQ to have them do a "reset" to allow the new computer to connect. So you'll want to plan your switch over day accordingly.

[farwest]

Thanks for the info. It clarified a few concerns we had.

[farwest]

Just what is the desktop 5.5? Found out there was no disks for the computer. Called chq and they said to download them. What confusing is nothing says desktop 5.5 . The info from chq and what i have been searching out seems to conflict. We would just like to know step by step how to setup a dell 740 that has windows xp and nothing else on it. We are not going to move to the new one until we know we have it right.

[aebrown]

Just what is the desktop 5.5? Found out there was no disks for the computer. Called chq and they said to download them. What confusing is nothing says desktop 5.5 . The info from chq and what i have been searching out seems to conflict. We would just like to know step by step how to setup a dell 740 that has windows xp and nothing else on it. We are not going to move to the new one until we know we have it right.

Desktop 5.5 is normally installed as a full image on an administrative computer. However, for the Dell 740 there are special instructions on mls.lds.org for installing separate applications, rather than a disk image. These applications make up what is collectively known as Desktop 5.5.

After you login to mls.lds.org, go to Local Unit Computer Instructions and read the specific instructions for the Dell 740. Basically, you will be downloading and installing:

• Local Unit Security Suite
• MLS
• Additional Local Unit Software (applications such as OpenOffice, Adobe Acrobat Reader, CutePDF, etc.)

[russellhltn]

Personally, I'd prefer to install Desktop 5.5 on the machine. Unfortunately for the 740 it requires an external CD drive to install it.

[farwest]

Thanks Alan,

See that is where the confusion stemmed from on desktop 5.5. Now if I understand you correctly desktop 5.5 is Local Unit Security Suite Installer ,Symantec Antivirus Definition Update and the Additional Local Unit Software plus MLS.

CHQ said they no longer supply disks, you have to download everything to put on the new computer. So we were looking through the boxes of the new computer for the new 5.5 software.

[aebrown]

Thanks Alan,

See that is where the confusion stemmed from on desktop 5.5. Now if I understand you correctly desktop 5.5 is Local Unit Security Suite Installer ,Symantec Antivirus Definition Update and the Additional Local Unit Software plus MLS.

CHQ said they no longer supply disks, you have to download everything to put on the new computer. So we were looking through the boxes of the new computer for the new 5.5 software.

That's correct. The Local Unit Security Suite includes the LANDesk management software and the Symantec Antivirus software, but you do raise a good point when you mentioned that you need to download the latest A/V Definition Update as part of your installation process.

By installing all these separate pieces, you end up with almost all the same pieces installed as if you had installed the Desktop 5.5 disk image. The one exception is that the disk image creates a hidden disk volume with a backup of the system volume and a mechanism for backing up to and restoring from that hidden volume. But in the case of catastrophic system failure, there are other equally good ways to get back to a clean system, assuming you are backing up your data properly.

[russellhltn]

See that is where the confusion stemmed from on desktop 5.5. Now if I understand you correctly desktop 5.5 is Local Unit Security Suite Installer ,Symantec Antivirus Definition Update and the Additional Local Unit Software plus MLS.

Desktop 5.5 is actually a disk Image that contains those items along with WInXP, etc. I think a number of the base OS settings have been tweaked for security. I'm not sure how close you'll get by just downloading the components. Note that Desktop 5.5 does NOT contain MLS. That had to be loaded separately.

CHQ said they no longer supply disks, you have to download everything to put on the new computer. So we were looking through the boxes of the new computer for the new 5.5 software.

They were never supplied with the computers that I know of. They were sent out to the Stake Clerk back around the beginning of 2007(?). I do wish they'd upload the image if they won't supply new disks.

[aebrown]

Desktop 5.5 is actually a disk Image that contains those items along with WInXP, etc. I think a number of the base OS settings have been tweaked for security. I'm not sure how close you'll get by just downloading the components.

While the above statement may be technically true, the fact remains that the official instructions ("Dell 740 Newly Received Computer Instructions") on mls.lds.org for new Dell 740 computers without an external CD drive describe a process for securing the computer that does not involve a disk image. The final result is an approved configuration for an administrative computer.

There are many statements regarding the requirement for using the latest desktop image, such as the one in the Meetinghouse Internet Guidelines: "All MLS computers must be updated with the latest desktop image, which installs virus and spyware protection to safeguard data." A computer that follows the official Dell 740 instructions meets that prerequisite, even if it wasn't done with a complete disk image.

So is such a computer running "Desktop 5.5"? I think it's accurate to say that it is. The critical issue is the Local Unit Security Suite, which installs LANDesk and Symantec A/V. That requirement is met with either installation method.

[lajackson]

The critical issue is the Local Unit Security Suite, which installs LANDesk and Symantec A/V. That requirement is met with either installation method.

As long as you remember to install it. [grin]