Linux Mint Cinnamon‐XFCE Installation Guide - MalwareTester74/Linux-installation-guide GitHub Wiki

Linux Mint Installation Guide

Linux Mint is one of the most beginner-friendly Linux distributions, and its installation process is straightforward. This guide will walk you through the steps of installing Linux Mint on your PC.

Requirements:

  • A computer with a 64-bit processor (32-bit is no longer officially supported by Linux Mint as of 2023)
  • At least 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended for better performance)
  • At least 15GB of free disk space (20GB+ recommended)
  • A USB drive (minimum 4GB) or a DVD to create a bootable installation media

Step 1: Download Linux Mint

  1. Visit the official website: https://linuxmint.com/download.php
  2. Choose the Edition (Cinnamon, XFCE, or MATE) and the architecture (64-bit) based on your system’s capabilities. Note: 32-bit is no longer supported in newer releases of Linux Mint.
  3. Download the ISO file to your computer.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or DVD

  1. Download and install a tool like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/macOS) to create a bootable USB drive.
  2. Insert your USB drive into your PC.
  3. Open the tool (e.g., Rufus or Etcher), and select the downloaded Linux Mint ISO file.
  4. Choose the USB drive as the target device and click Start (or Flash! in Etcher) to create the bootable drive.
  5. If using a DVD, burn the ISO file to the DVD using your preferred burning software.

Step 3: Boot from the USB or DVD

  1. Insert the bootable USB or DVD into the computer you want to install Linux Mint on.
  2. Restart the computer and press the appropriate key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, Esc, or F10 depending on your manufacturer).
  3. Select the USB drive or DVD as the boot device and press Enter.

Step 4: Try or Install Linux Mint

  1. Once Linux Mint loads, you will be given the option to Try Linux Mint or Install Linux Mint.
  2. If you want to test it before installation, choose Try Linux Mint. If you're ready to install, click Install Linux Mint from the desktop.

Step 5: Language and Keyboard Layout

  1. Choose your language from the list and click Continue.
  2. Select your keyboard layout (default is usually fine), then click Continue.

Step 6: Prepare Installation Type

  1. You will be asked where you want to install Linux Mint.
  2. If you want to erase the entire disk and install Linux Mint, select Erase disk and install Linux Mint.
    • Warning: This will delete everything on your disk, so be sure to back up important files before proceeding.
  3. If you want to dual-boot with another OS (like Windows), select Install Linux Mint alongside your current OS.
  4. For advanced users, you can choose Something else to manually partition the disk. This allows you to customize partitions as you wish.

Step 7: Select Time Zone

  1. The installer will automatically detect your timezone based on your location.
  2. Verify the timezone and click Continue.

Step 8: User Setup

  1. Enter your name, computer name (hostname), username, and password.
  2. Select whether you want to log in automatically or need a password to log in.
  3. Click Continue once you’ve filled in the details.

Step 9: Installation Process

  1. Linux Mint will begin installing. This may take a while, depending on the speed of your computer and hard drive.
  2. The installer will copy files, install the system, and configure your computer.

Step 10: Finish Installation

  1. Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to Restart Now.
  2. Before restarting, make sure to remove the installation media (USB or DVD).
  3. Click Restart Now, and your computer will reboot into Linux Mint!

Step 11: Post-Installation Setup

  1. Once logged in, check for system updates by opening the Update Manager.
  2. Install any updates and reboot if necessary.
  3. Install additional software via the Software Manager or the Terminal.
  4. You’re ready to go! Customize your desktop and enjoy using Linux Mint.

Troubleshooting:

  • If Linux Mint does not boot after installation, double-check your boot order in the BIOS and make sure the hard drive with Linux Mint is set as the first boot option.
  • For NVIDIA graphics drivers, Linux Mint should automatically detect and install the appropriate drivers. If not, you can install them manually via the Driver Manager.

NVIDIA drivers can be installed manually via Terminal with:

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-535

Congratulations, you now have Linux Mint installed! Enjoy your new Linux experience.