Q&A for How to Install Linux Mint

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If I install a new hard drive, can I install to that drive (F) the entire Linux 17.3 cinnamon "Rosa," and go from there?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, but it will be safer if during the install, you disconnect the old hard drive that you have. (Plug in only the new hard drive {F:})

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How can I install Mint onto a DVD?

Community Answer

You can't install Linux Mint on a DVD. You can burn the downloaded ISO to the DVD, though, and boot from the DVD to install Linux Mint on your computer or alongside your Windows OS, as described in this article.

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Question

How do I recover the password on a Linux netbook?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

Please see How to Reset Forgotten Password in Linux .

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I know nothing about Linux. Does a computer with Linux Mint installed have a firewall?

Community Answer

Yes, Linux Mint in the version 18.1 Serena Cinnamon includes a firewall by default.

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Will erasing Linux Mint delete my hard disk or the C drive?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

Yes. Typically, you uninstall an operating system by formatting a partition. This will erase all of your personal data unless you have that personal data stored on a separate partition.

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Question

I want to use an old XP 32-bit laptop for my grandchildren to access some Internet games, but I see that some of them will not work with XP. I think converting to Linux might be a good solution. Can I download it directly to the PC rather than using the DVD?

Community Answer

You can download the ISO to your computer and put it on a USB stick via a program such as Rufus. Boot from it, and make sure to choose a lightweight Linux distribution like Xubuntu or Lubuntu.

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Can Linux Mint 18 install without using an ISO file?

Community Answer

FTP install used to be quite common but, unfortunately, as distros have gotten a lot bulkier, it isn't the best option in terms of both server costs for developers and decent Internet speeds for the end user. There still are some Linux distributions, like Arch Linux, that do FTP installs. However, Arch Linux really is for experienced users only. Instead, try using unetbootin (which is multi format) to make a bootable USB stick. It can download the distro's ISO, if required. Make sure the BIOS boot sequence has the USB stick set first, though.

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How do I install Linux Mint on a formatted hard drive?

Community Answer

Its the same as installing to a drive with something already on it. The Linux Mint installer will automatically partition.

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Will all of my files, IDEs, music, photos and settings be erased if I install Linux Mint?

Community Answer

If you choose to erase the hard drive, yes. However, you could back up your files first or dual boot so you can access windows and linux on the same PC.

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What capacity of USB do I need, 8, 16, or more gigabytes?

Pingu

Top Answerer

The size of the ISO file is slightly less than 2 GB. Since Linux will be installed on your hard drive, not the USB stick, an 8GB volume is more than enough.

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Question

How do I install Linux in Windows XP?

Community Answer

You can install Linux Mint alongside Windows XP or replace one with the other. The installation should be the same for XP; however, the bios will most likley be different for your computer. You can use a SSB as long as your bios can boot up from the USB drive.

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Can I upload Linux Mint on a wiped clean Windows Vista computer?

Community Answer

Yes. Note that the example uses a computer with no operating system at all.

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Question

Can I install Linux Mint without a flash drive? Can I use it without a flash drive?

Community Answer

You need some type of storage device to install it. If you don't have a flash drive, a CD would work.

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Question

Do I have to manually format my drives before doing this?

Community Answer

No, if you choose the "Erase everything" option, it will format it for you.

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What do I do if I tried to install Linux Mint but it just spins?

Community Answer

Try to reinstalling the OS exactly as mentioned in the steps above. If that doesn't work, then you can try by disabling the internet connection.

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Question

Does the ISO installation have the necessary drivers to get Wi-fi functionality so that additional drivers (if necessary) can be obtained from the Internet?

Nithik R

Community Answer

Unlike Windows, Linux has integrated open-source drivers already in it. So your wifi adapter will work fine during installation. But since they are generic drivers, you may not be able to access the full potential of your hardware device. Don't worry though, you can install official drivers from their respective websites after you install Linux.

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Question

Is wired networking connection is mandatory for installing Linux Mint or Wifi is okay. Can I use WiFi to install Linux Mint or is a wired connection required?

Nithik R

Community Answer

A wired or wireless connection will work fine. In fact, you don't even need an internet connection during installation because you can always install the required softwares later.

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Can I install Linux Mint on a i9 10900k GTX GeForce 3080 gaming PC?

Arrogance

Top Answerer

Yes. You can install Linux Mint on any system that meets the system requirements.

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Question

I installed 5 times Linux 19.3 in a C:unallocated and ext4 to no avail. Do I always need Win NTFS bootloader at start? No just Linux grub install?

Arrogance

Top Answerer

No, you do not need an "NTFS bootloader." The directions do not say to install to an "unallocated C:". If you are deviating from the instructions, it makes it harder to identify what the source of your problem is.

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Question

How do you unwrite the USB drive after you install Linux Mint onto the hard drive?

Arrogance

Top Answerer

You can't "unwrite" a flash drive, any more than you can "unwrite" a sentence. You erase or reformat the drive. On Linux Mint, you can use GParted to delete and create partitions on the flash drive. On Windows, you can use Disk Management.

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How do I install Linux Mint on a portable hard drive?

Community Answer

It should be possible. Any USB drive should work.

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