First time Linux user
 

I am trying to install Linux for the very first time.

I had purchased a Linux Mint 15 special edition dvd with Mate and Cinnamon (amazon) BUT

I have Windows 8.1 which doesn't support dvd rom and have two other user accounts that want to keep Windows.

sooo, is there another way that I can install Linux just for my user account with Windows still running in the background??

I really just want to try Linux, but some of the instructions on the 'net seem so confusing and intimidating!!

thank you

Kelley

Hi!

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

That's unfortunate since it has been supported since January, 2014. What that means is that you cannot get security updates or download new software from Mint. Surprised they would be selling outdated software but, that's business.

I'm not sure what you mean by that? The operating system doesn't have anything to do with that. Could you explain what you mean?

Do you mean that there are two other persons who use the computer? If that's it, you should be able to install Mint to a separate partition on your hard drive which would give you the option of booting either Mint or windows.

You could also take a look at the tutorial below, the first half of which give some general information on how Linux works. The second part explains how to install Ubuntu. Ubuntu is another operating system which Linux Mint is derived from so the major difference you will see with Mint compared to Ubuntu during the install is the background color. They use the same installer.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/u...all-guide.html

Would running LM in VB or VM be of possible use to the OP also? Or do those two play nicely with Windows?

Virtualbox would be my suggestion to

Have only ran VB on Squeeze before never on Windows so wasn't sure how those two interact with eachother. That's why I kinda questioned if it would work there. I like VB for Linux along with VM. Those two automatically popped into my mind.

You can download a newer version of linuxmint & burn to usb using unetbootin & either run it from usb or create unallocated space to install to
, without getting rid of windows. After installation edit grub to boot to windows as default.

Hello Kelley, welcome to LQ :)

If you wish to install Linux while keeping Windows running in the background, then I would recommend installing Virtualbox. It allows you to setup Linux as a virtual machine inside Windows. On this page you'll find the things you need to download.

The version of Mint you've bought is outdated and not supported anymore. Just like for example Windows XP isn't supported anymore either. I would recommend visiting Linux Mint's download page where you can download the latest Mint. Current version of Mint is 17 and has support till 2019 :)

For a person new to Linux installing it in a virtual machine has an advantage over installing Linux as a dual boot with Windows as gorO and EDDY1 above me described. If you mess up Linux you can just delete the virtual machine without a problem. Windows won't be affected. If you make a dual boot that is a different story.

Good luck :)

thank you everyone for all your input!!

I think I will try the virtual box, because I don't want to mess everything up *done that on my other PCs before lol*

okay, but after I download the Virtual Box, then what? I go to the Mint download page?

Is there another version of Linux that might be easier to download and use than Mint?

what is everyone's favorite version of Linux?

oh, I don't need a Linux version that looks and performs like Windows,

thank you

keep the inputs coming

Kelley

nope just roll with Linux Mint

There are truckloads of different Linux distributions out there. What my favourite is doesn't have to be yours :)

However, Mint is widely considered one of the easiest to use distros. And it is my personal favourite. If you know how to set up Windows, then Mint is pretty much a snap.
You can download the Mint iso at any time. When you setup a virtual machine in Virtualbox. You need to supply it with some information. Such as how much RAM you wish to assign to it, hard disk size for the virtual machine (basically a single file on your harddisk, not a seperate partition). Number of CPU cores, and where to boot from for the installation. There you can assign it the Mint iso which you have downloaded :) It will boot from there and then you can have fun in Linux :)

oh, just saw the Sticky note "50 Open Source Replacements for Windows XP" thread

and saw two non Linux OS that caught my eye,

PC BSD and React OS

anyone here ever use those two before? thoughts?

Should I try one of these before I go all the way with Linux in the Virtual Box??

PC BSD won't sleep yet when you close you laptop lid (for me at least).

If you are up for a change give BSD a try BUT the software selection for it is quite small and the support community is small. I find BSD more Mac like than Linux if you have mac experience.

Hi Welcome to LQ, Kelley.

Sorry to say but Linux MINT 15 was obsoleted as of January, 2014 and while you can use it, there are newer versions. MINT 17 is the current release and you can download from their site, here. Further, MINT 15 was not what is called LTS (Long Term Support) whereas MINT 17 is LTS and is supported as far as 2019.

Regular MINT is based on Ubuntu. There's also MINT Debian which is based off of the Debian distribution. Some prefer one over the other, I'm personally fine with the Ubuntu variation of MINT.

You can also download it so that it is installable via a USB thumbstick, http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744, there are also instructions to do this from Windows.

In general if you have a good network connection, I'd recommend you download and create boot media using like they describe for either a DVD or a USB stick versus buy the distribution. You can also contribute money directly towards projects if your intent was to offer support for the project by way of purchasing media.

You can use it and install MINT 'inside' win$UCK$ with mint4win... then UPGRADE![later]

http://youtu.be/FuPuDyndMWc

:twocents: