Error message when trying to install Linux mint
 

The install fails with the error
Error when getting information for file '/var/log/mail.log': No such file or directory.
I have tried 2 CD's one from a magazine 'Linux User' which gave me an error box and one downloaded and written on my other machine where the install just hung.
I am not sure what to try next. The system works from both discs.
I am installing on a Sony Vaio NS10L, previously a Vista machine.

Hi,

Had this problem about 5 years ago thought it was corrected in the most recent versions of Mint and Ubuntu
You might try searching for:

mint '/var/log/mail.log': No such file or directory
or
Ubuntu '/var/log/mail.log': No such file or directory

My Mint-18 does not have a '/var/log/mail.log'

Yup,

Ubuntu now puts those messages in /var/log/syslog which caused a little confusion for those of us who have been using UNIX, BSD and Linux for a long time. '/var/log/mail.log' used to be the first stop in troubleshooting.

I joined the forum in 2002 but started programing in 1966.

I'm guessing but it may be something to do with Efi.
When it's turned on in the bios if will prevent writing to a disk with an original windows installation. I don't use it my self however new PC's, I make sure it's turned off in the bios.
Caveats.
1) Sony Vaio can be a bit of a pig install. Some features may not work out of the box.
2) You should go down to you local computer store and get a flash 16Gb drive or larger and install it on that. You will be asked where to put grub, put in on the flash drive. You can boot the drive using F12
2) If you really want Efi you will need to erase the disk. All your original data will be trashed. Make Backups!

Then again I could be wrong.

Regards
Ray

[TUTORIAL] Installing Mint on a Windows 8/8.1/10 Computer may offer some help.
I don't *EFI either.

Good Luck!

Thanks
 

Many thanks, I will keep trying.

skip that cd / dvd install and go for a USB Stick install instead?

It could also be that the optical drive has something on the lens or could be failing all together.

Thanks again
 

I have finally installed Mint from a usb stick so many thanks to all who gave me the benefit of their time.
I also discovered F2 is the magic key. As soon as you boot, start pressing F2 about once a second until the BIOS screen shows.
(From Chris Jean WordPress developer for iThemes, Linux fan, all-around nerd)
I tried to post him a thank you but got an error 405 so gave up.