Linux Mint – but with problems

[lekmirParticipant @lekmir]

I hope it’s OK to present this topic her, it seems there is no computer related thread.

The recent discussions about Linux made me want to try it also. So I downloaded Linux Mint on a USB stick. Beforehand , I asked the KI if Linux can be installed anywhere (not only on drive C:), the answer was yes. So I divided my large disk space into half, creating a partition named L:.
I learned that the downloaded fule is not the bootable version, so used the program ‘etcher’ to create a bootable file on the USB stick. Then I tried with some difficulties to boot from that stick. On my PC the menues during the boot flash over the screen with hyper speed, but I think i managed to hit the correct buttons. Unfortunately, nothing happens except a black screen.
I then tried to install the system on that dedicated partition L:. Something has happened, but when I look (under Windows) what’s in there, it shows my waste bin (which surely should not be there). I tried then to boot from L:, but naturally the boot system does not know the drive letters, but some strange names. As I have 3 hard disks and several USB drives connected, I’m a bit lost. Anyway, I tried the one t thought could be the right one, but no success.
During the above actions, I remember having once seen the Mint logo on the screen, but nothing more. I at least expected a terminal, if not even a colourful desktop.

Many years ago, I had a small system with Ubuntu on it (because I once had plans to CNC-ing a lathe with EMC (iirc)). At least this system worked, and I even could play games on it, but only if I left the CD inserted in the computer. This system has landed in the recycle bin long ago, but Linux still has some appeal, as many people use it trouble free.

Maybe in my age it should not try to learn new tricks…

Kind regards,
Hans

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

The installation process should be straightforward, no need to partition the disk before installation the install program will do all that for you.

1. Download fresh copy of Mint there are three versions Cinnamon, Mate and Xfce. Cinnamon is most like Windows current version is 22.1 (xia)
2. Make the downloaded .iso file bootable using balenaEtcher or Rufus
3. Make sure that the PC will boot from usb, may need to go into the BIOS to set this up
4. Turn the PC off, insert USB drive and restart PC (There should be no black screens or flashing menus) should boot straight into a running version of MINT
5. You can explore Linux Mint or to see if you like it. If you decide to go ahead there is an Install Icon on the desktop
6. Click on the install and the machine will go through a series of menus for the usual Location, Timezone, Connect to WiFi and then it will arrive at the options screen.
7. 
8.  Select Install alongside Windows . This will partition the disc and set the space for Linux and leave sufficient space for Windows. If you want it to do anything special choose the 3rd option -Something Else
9. Wait while it installs 20minutes or so.
10. It will tell you when to reboot and remove the USB. When it starts up you should be offered the choice between Windows and Linux.

Hope all goes well if not try the Linux Installation Guide

John

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Hi Hans,

I think the mistake was creating L:

That’s a partition allocated to Windows, not free for Linux, and it may have confused the installer.  You don’t need to create an L: Better to let the installer organise the disc, no need to do it yourself.

I can’t remember exactly how, but with a partition tool in Windows delete L: and allocate the space to C:  Then boot Windows and conform C: is full size.  The disc needs to be fixed – no L:

With L: gone run the USB Linux installer again.  What it does is scan C: to find how much of the space available is consumed already by Windows, and then it offers to repartition the disc.   So if it said C: was 100Gb used of a 500Gb disc, you might tell the installer to partition the disc at 250Gb.  It’s very simple.

Now the installer knows there’s a partition with Windows in it, and there’s an empty one into which it can instal Linux.  The partition containing Windows isn’t touched.

Having copied Linux into the new partition, the installer changes the disc’s boot partition to do a dual boot.  When rebooted the computer displays a menu listing the operating systems available and the operator can choose either Windows or Linux.

Disc partitioning is a hardware feature, not controlled by Windows or Linux.  Unless told, they don’t know how a disc is partitioned.  They only need to know how much space is available to them.

Dave

 

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

I have VMware on my laptop with a 4TB hard drive with 1TB partitioned for other operating systems (OS). I have it like that  because I sometimes need to use XP for some old tech. I have loaded Ubuntu, Mint and Knoppix onto this partition for trying out by searching what was recommended for loading Ubuntu into VMware. It is quite easy.

You start off by setting up a new OS in VMware but telling it you will load the OS later. Then when you go to that OS you tell it where the ISO image is for the OS and load it from that image.

Martin C

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