Being new to Linux and not a programmer I would like guidance on Installing Linux Mint 20 64 bit from a recently purchased USB flash drive. I started to do it until I got to the point of "Wiping the Hard Drive". I have an HP desktop, 64 bit, model P7-1254 computer with Windows 7 and do not want to upgrade to Windows 10. The computer has 2 (Two) CD/DVD drawers. 1.Can Linux be installed to a CD/DVD in one of the drives and use it to boot the computer? 2. How about being used for storage?

I really just want Linux to be my software on the HP so I don't have to trash the computer. Maybe be able to access some of the Windows files, if this is possible.

I have not run the software beyond the beginning of the install.

I did have Puppy on it for a while, but didn't care for it, probably because I screwed up on the original set-up. NO, I didn't ask for help on that one, that's why I'm looking for help now. Puppy seemed to run OK, just didn't store files, that I could find. So basically I was starting from scratch every time I exited it.

If worse comes to worse, I'll wipe the hard drive at install.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

OH, P.S. I could find any threads about this. There may be similar threads but I didn't have any luck finding anything.

I must say, your post is slightly confusing, as you say on one hand you want to "replace" Windows, but on the other you seem to indicate you want to keep Windows and setup some kind of dual-boot type setup (which is possible FWIW).

Anyway, as for your first question; you can burn the ISO image for the desired Linux distribution onto a CD or DVD and boot from that CD or DVD. But the problem with that is that, you can't write to optical media such as a CD or DVD like you can with say a USB stick. So whatever you done while Linux is running off of a CD or DVD would be lost when you restart or shutdown the system. So writing the ISO image to a USB stick would be a better solution in that case. Although, you could write files to another partition as long as Linux understands the filesystem said partition is formatted with.

I assume you mean "can a CD or DVD be used as storage?" ? The short answer is yes, but as above you'd have to burn whatever data to the CD or DVD. So again, it's not the same as writing data to a USB stick, hard drive, etc.

So what exactly do you want to do?

You're probably right not to rush this. You need to ask yourself how much of your Windows installation you want to keep. Are we talking about user data only, or do you want to preserve the actual OS, for example for gaming? In the first case, the answer is simple: temporarily dump the data you want to keep onto a memory stick and then install Mint onto the whole hard drive. Once it is installed, you can copy the dumped data back into your new home directory. Windows will be gone for good.

If you want to dual-boot, you will first need to shrink the Windows partition to make empty space for Linux, then choose the "something else" option in the installer for partitioning your drive. Make root and swap partitions for Linux and install into the root partition. You will then be able to boot either system and also reach data on the Windows partition while in Linux (though not as far as I know the other way around).

A third possibility is the one suggested by jsb: install Mint onto a memory stick rather than onto the hard drive. And a fourth is just to run your installation CD as a live disc while making up your mind.

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Sounds like you live booted Puppy and this is why things weren't saved.

If you boot off of a CD or DVD same result, you need to install.

You can install for dual boot. When Linux loads after booting from the thumb stick, it will give you the option to install and you can use some free space on your existing hard drive to store Linux.

Purchasing Linux media is fine, but Linux is free to download. Please be sure to check where you bought this from, so as to ensure it is what you purchased.

Why not visit the Mint site and read their install instructions so you understand what to expect.

Yes you can also wipe the drive to use all the space for Linux, that's up to you. You will be able to see the Windows files even when you boot from Linux in a dual boot setup.

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May I suggest reading the installation guide.
https://linuxmint.com/documentation.php

Puppy runs from RAM and you can save the system when you shutdown but as you posted you might of screwed something up.

Yes linux and be installed to DVD but it will be a live system and you will not be able to save any changes. You can always save files to a flash drive or the Windows drive. You can write files to a CD/DVD but with cheap flash drives these days they are pretty much obsolete for storing data. longevity and data retention are other considerations.

There are two choices, install Mint and overwrite your exists Windows or install alongside and have a dual boot system. With a dual boot you will not mess up your existing Windows and you can access your files. Always make sure you have a verified backup of all important data.

linux does not natively run Windows programs. You can use wine but it is not a perfect replacement and sometimes depending on the program not always a linux replacement.

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Thank you all, jsbjsb001, Hazel, rt.mistler and michaelk. It looks like I have a little more research to do. I'll try and clarify what I wan't a little later.

A web search for how to install linux mint will turn up many articles and tutorials to help you in your research.

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In case you have a spare hard drive you can disconnect Windows drive and install Mint to the other drive. Later you can reconnect Windows drive, there are several ways how to choose which OS to boot.

Go look at MX and spend 4-5 hours on runswithdolphins on youtube.
Call me in the AM

First, lets recap. The options so far are
1. Save your data, install Mint to the whole drive, and restore your data.
2. Shrink Windows and install Mint alongside it.
3. Run Mint from the USB stick and keep your data on the computer.

But there is another possibility
4. Recreate your USB to have persistence.
The normal installation USB stick is carefully formated to look like a DVD running off the USB port — that's why you can't write to it. But you can create a USB installer that looks like a real HD so that you can write to it to do updates and add new programs. Obviously it's slow compared to the real thing, but it does work.
how-to-create-persistent-usb-linux-mint/

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I've been operating in the same general way as you appear to want to go, and I think the two best options for you to consider are:

1. get a large thumbdrive, and copy any/all data files you wish to keep from your windows system, onto it. Then wipe the current physical drive, and install Mint to it. Then copy your legacy data files back to your hard drive. Personally, I'd prefer to create a totally separate partition for the data files to go onto, but that's just my personal preference...not mandatory (remember to export your web browser bookmarks to an HTML file to avoid an "oh sh*t!" moment later)

or

2. Use disk partitioning software to shrink the partition size of your existing windows system, making room for a new, blank, extended-logical partition. (D: in Windows parlance) Then install your preferred Mint system to a bootable usb Thumb drive. And thereafter use the new extended partition you just created inside your machine for saving and accessing files while booted to your usb "live" Mint system.

I think the second option is best for you, because it allows you to keep your Windows 7 system intact for a few things that you really can't do under Linux without a lot of fuss.

Then, as you gain familiarity over time, if you want to go back later and physically install Mint, creating a full fledged dual boot system, the expertise you gain between now and then will help guide you to avoid common n00b mistakes.

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My conundrum of Installing Mint has been solved. I have downloaded all my files to a Portable Hard Drive and then installed Mint right to the "C" drive. Thanks to all that contributed good suggestions.