hi there, im very new to linux! i have downloaded linux mint 8 and burnt it to disc ive been trying for what seems like for ever to load it but cant find out how to! im using a laptop with windows xp, and an external hard drive so cannot boot linux at start screen can anyone help me do it please! thanks nick.

Do you know if your computer is setup to boot from CD? If not, check your BIOS settings. I can't say exactly how to enter your BIOS as all are different, but usually F2 or Del or Esc keys will get you there. It should tell you when the computer first turns on. You will just have to browse around to find your boot order to change the settings on your boot priority.

I can't say for sure this is your problem as you didn't give any errors (if any) or any information as to what the computer is doing, but I suspect this is the problem.

Hope it helps

What process or application did you use to burn the disk? Which file did you download?

Windows XP does not have any native method to create a bootable CD from an ISO file. If you look at the contents of the CD and all you see is a single file then it was not burned correctly. To create a bootable CD use Nero, Roxio or other similar windows software or download a free burning utility such as isorecorder.

What is the make/ model of your laptop?