General ⇒ Loading latex packages and other problems

[DavidKing]

Hello Latex forum. I have been using latex for a couple years now, but apparantly the stars are not aligned with me, becuase I keep having problems. Of course, it could be because I am using windows. Anyway I have two questions. The first is How does one go about adding a latex package? There are many packages that I would like to run - for example there is one called "elseart" which handles the Elsiver article class. I can't seem to get it to run, because when I try to texify it says "\tex\...\elseart.cls" not loaded.

The other question, I am having some inexplicable problems getting \begin{align*} to work. It is really really wierd because \begin{equation*} and \begin{eqnarray*} works for me. Maybe ... Latex hates me or something. Or maybe I don't have it loaded correctly, I can't figure out why everything comes easy to other users.

[localghost]

[...] Anyway I have two questions. The first is How does one go about adding a latex package? There are many packages that I would like to run - for example there is one called "elseart" which handles the Elsiver article class. I can't seem to get it to run, because when I try to texify it says "\tex\...\elseart.cls" not loaded. [...]

Start the package manager of your LaTeX distribution and install the missing classes and packages.

[...] The other question, I am having some inexplicable problems getting \begin{align*} to work. It is really really wierd because \begin{equation*} and \begin{eqnarray*} works for me. Maybe ... Latex hates me or something. Or maybe I don't have it loaded correctly, I can't figure out why everything comes easy to other users.

The amsmath manual should show how to get things work in the align* environment. The "Math mode" document has many more tips and tricks for typesetting mathematical structures. If your problems persist, prepare a minimal working example (MWE) that shows your recent efforts.


Best regards
Thorsten¹

[DavidKing]

Oh thanks Localghost, I really appreciate it. But how do I start the local package manager??

[Stefan Kottwitz]

If you are using MiKTeX, click Start/ MiKTeX/ Browse packages.
Or open a shell (Start/ Run: cmd) and type mpm to start it.

Stefan

[localghost]

[...] But how do I start the local package manager??

That depends on your LaTeX distribution. For MiKTeX you've got the advice from Stefan. The TeX Live distribution also comes with a package manager (tlmgr) which should also be accessible via Start menu.