You can install Windows 7 . . . It only requires 16GB for 32-bit, or 20GB for 64-bit. http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements
Your hard drive, when blank, is at least 20GB, I assure you. A Mini n-series should have a 160GB hard drive in it.

I'm sorry that you have had such a frustrating time with Ubuntu.

In case you care, the reality is that Ubuntu is Linux, but not all Linux is Ubuntu; kinda like all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares.

Why does Ubuntu have so many bugs? The short answer is that it is a large, complex piece of software. All such large, complex pieces of software have bugs . . . it's just a matter of how many can be found and squashed.

THANK YOU! I am not entirely sure how to wipe my hard drive to get it to the base gbs so that I can install Win7? Any help would be VERY much appricieated! The whole Linux/Ubuntu or Ubuntu/Linux issue is very complex & even more confusing. Thanks for trying though, maybe I am in fact that daft?

I am not trying to keep a "troll" post going (though anyone who has a valid argument now days is considered a "troll", I just want to look at my mini & NOT want to throw it in the middle of a busy highway.

Thank you

Any windows installer (including win7's one) will take care of that if you select "use entire drive" and confirm to delete everything... (of course, to be able to do that, it has to be started by booting from the installation CD, NOT inside a running system!)

You really should adjust your notion of a "valid argument". What are you trying to argument anyway? You want to use windows on that thing, well, go for it, it's not that hard.

Not to sound rude but do you even know what a Dell Mini looks like? If the above was possible WITHOUT AN EXTERNAL DRIVE, I would have done so by now.

As for this...

You may very well be Einstien's long lost cousin but I unfortunately am not & really don't appreciate the comment "You want to use windows on that thing, well, go for it, it's not that hard" If it was easy for me I wouldn't have the need of a post on a linux page. Your level of "ease" may be different than mine, or the next persons, ect., so please, don't be rude just try to address the issue & go from there. Please, don't even attempt to make me feel inferior to you simply because I might require some advice on a subject that you happen to have knowledge on.

Not having any prior knowledge about whatever subject is no problem at all -- joining a linux forum, whining about "it's all buggy and all sucks" without even posing a SINGLE clear question definitely is. If you WANT help, post some details about what exactly you need help with. If not, leave your personal linux frustration elsewhere...

Let me be clear AGAIN, I am not in fact "whinning" & never refered to anything in such a "teeny bopper" manner as "it's all buggy & all sucks". Either learn to read or find some other post to release your pent up agression out on. I did, however, state before that I, MYSELF, am not a huge fan of linux. Now, are you trying to say that I should be posting about linux on a Windows or Mac forum? How redundant would that be? As far as a SPECIFIC question. Here's one for you, since you're so keyed up' Please, explain to me how it is that I have the newest Java downloaded & am still not able to play media from a media downloader using this linux system? Or better yet, please, explain to me why it is that even though I have click on the "lock to panel" option my top panel disappears at random? Or maybe even this, I still have not been able to use the applet player on a gaming website even though the entire rest of the site loads as does the applet but it will not show the games or finish loading?
Or finally, why is that since according to you, linux is the best OS, it is not supported by A LOT of highend streamers?

Typical troll attitude, now you're trying to get that heated. That's just pathetic. Unfortunately for you, I'd never call linux "the best OS" or something like that. So, no flame for you here, sorry :p

Ok, sorry, not looking for a "flame", I am looking for a way to enjoy this system. A better way of addressing this would be to answer my questions, maybe give me some pluses about linux, ect. Not sit there, smug as you want to be, calling me a "troll", pathetic, ect. If you can't or won't answer the questions then just keep your nasty attitude to yourself & move on. Again, thank you for the lovely answers thus far & I hope eventually you can be of some help to someone else.

You can easily show your REAL interest by taking ONE problem and just describing it IN DETAIL, so it is even possible to get an idea what could be the cause.

Unless you are willing to do this, your style of posting here is -- to say the least -- inept.

And: "Tell my why XYZ is happening" is NOT a detailed description.

BTW: No, I don't know your piece of hardware. If it doesn't have a cdrom drive, this could be a problem indeed. Maybe a bootable USB drive would do.

edit: here's the first tutorial google returns: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-cr...7-dvdusb-tool/ -- You should find a lot more by yourself.

@marinegruntswife: while we welcome you as LQ member you must understand that the way you entered LQ saying things like
and
does not sit well with some of our members. Venting your frustration may be your way to get things off your chest but speaking in that way about GNU/Linux does not help us help you solve your problems: deal with it and please refrain from making negative remarks.

In turn our slightly overreacting junior LQ members (yes, that's you zirias) should understand that they should rise above troll-calling especially since a fellow moderator already indicated you are expressing yourself in a way that is not productive: deal with it or keep yourself from posting.

Really, you should learn what the term of "moderator" means. FOAD, period.

For violating the LQ Rules, persistent immature behaviour and a lack of respect for all we stand for you get some timeout. I'll be contacting you by email.

All Operating Systems have a learning curve, bugs and fixes. So lamenting bugs is not at all interesting or productive. If you really want to enjoy your Mini then you best make a choice: learn how to use GNU/Linux or choose the Other OS.


Reduce installation footprint with vLite as shown here?

* Please note if this discussion moved towards installing the Other Operating System then the thread should be moved to the /General forum.

Here is a link about how to install Windows 7 after booting from a USB pen drive.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-in...working-guide/

Problem is, you'll still need a DVD ROM of some kind to make it work. Unfortunately, there is really no way around this. The good news is that you won't need the DVD ROM for anything else after OS installation, so you aren't looking to buy, just borrow for thirty minutes or so.

Is there anyone out there you know that has a USB, Bluetooth, or FireWire DVD ROM? Heck, even a running machine with an internal drive could be workable.

I've never tried a network install of Windows, but surely it is possible . . . if that's what you need to do, let me know and maybe I can help you find a good guide for it.

I Think You are trying Something New, and it's not working for you.
If you Find Linux Is Not for You It's no Shame to Go to Windows, I know Linux is not for Everyone.
Surely Someone around You Could Help you, With Linux if you still want to try it, Or loan You a USB DVD Drive To Install Windows (I would help You with Linux if we were Near-and you will find Most Linux users is the Same.
Whatever You Do Good Luck, May God Bless You and Your Family In This War Time.
Many of the Posters Know what I mean when I say Linux is not Ubuntu-Linux is the name of the Kernel by Linus Torvalds
Linus Torvalds + Richard Stallman = GNU/Linux.
Ubuntu is not Linux- How many Distros is DistroWatch Tracking Now? I think you know what i mean,PhotoShop,PowerPoint, Coke, Words we use.
As for Mint based on Ubuntu, Mint is what Ubuntu Could Be. IT Works and Mint Devs. Send many Fixes Upstream Without Mint and Ultimate You would Have Many more Bugs- Which was the OP's Question. I do think if she could install Mint it will Work on her Dell. Was going to address a lot more But what the Use. To the OP If you want to try Linux I might be able to help by E-Mail.