Installing Linux Mint for the first Linux experience

Smokey_Mtn Ron · 05-10-2009, 09:24 PM

I am very new to Linux (4 days), so please excuse me if I ask some dumb questions. Right now I am running Windows XP. I am going to upgrade my hard drive to a new one with more gb's and want to install the windows I have now along with Linux Mint. I have never attempted anything like this before (partitions, etc.), So if some one could point me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it. (I have a external hard drive, but I would rather have both systems on my new internal)

Quads · 05-10-2009, 10:30 PM

Install windows first, get it running, and the Mint install should be a breeze. I have not used mint but I believe it is based on ubuntu, and the installer is totally simple. By default it should create an linux partition in the free space on your new drive, and install a bootloader for you. You may have to edit the bootloader configuration file to allow you to get back to windows. Get windows going first, then install mint, and if you have boot issues(which I doubt) get back to us then.

pixellany · 05-10-2009, 10:52 PM

Install Windows first---yes. But, do not give it the whole hard drive----15-20 GB should be plenty. Then---during the Linux install--give Linux another 15-20GB. Use the rest of the space for data partitions**.

**I favor using ext3 for shared data. When running in Windows, I would use the ext2fsd driver to access the shared data.

Did anyone mention backup?

Smokey_Mtn Ron · 05-11-2009, 01:14 AM

Ok, thanks!! I am currently overseas and am waiting for someone to send me my new drives. Am I right in what i've been reading that all I have to do is use something like Norton Ghost to clone my old internal to my external drive, remove my old drive, put in my new one, send windows back to the new one and then install Linux the way you have said?

pierre2 · 05-11-2009, 07:44 AM

Yes - Ghost or PQ Image. - commercial software.
could also try SysRecCD (free lnx software )
or PartImage - lnx again.

Smokey_Mtn Ron · 05-15-2009, 05:12 PM

I still have not received my new hard drive, but I have made up my mind to only install Linux Mint and forget windows. But this has raised up 2 more questions for me. 1. With a brand new hard drive installed will it automatically read my live cd to begin the install? 2. How do I transfer some of my documents, Firefox profile and bookmarks to Mint?

yancek · 05-15-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

With a brand new hard drive installed will it automatically read my live cd to begin the install?

Not sure I understand this, but the question is will Linux Mint recognize the hard drive. Not usually a problem but sometimes with newer SATA drives? You could google with the name of your hard drive and Linux or search here at LQ. There's a hardware compatibility list on the right of these pages (Linux HCL) to search. You do need to change your BIOS setting boot priority to have the CD ROM boot first.

Never transferred firefox profile/bookmarks but that should be an easy search at LQ also.

joseph2020 · 05-15-2009, 11:40 PM

Smokey_Mtn Ron,

I am a linux beginner so I can only help for basic stuff I did. Just like you, I decided to go with Linux and forget winxp.

Quote:

this has raised up 2 more questions for me. 1. With a brand new hard drive installed will it automatically read my live cd to begin the install? 2. How do I transfer some of my documents, Firefox profile and bookmarks to Mint?

>>>>>BACKUP YOUR WINXP FILES (JUST IN CASE) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Question #1

--set up or change your BIOS/CMOS on your pc to boot from cdrom. (usually you have to press a key during bootup to change this)

--boot from the "live" cd and install OR
--run from CD and install after your desktop shows (thats how I did it)

--During the install you'll be asked to partition the drive. Here you can divide the disk...the easiest (but probably not best) is to let the program do it all, it's easy and it works. You can always easily repartition later, after Linux is installed, with no data loss if you want.

I use Ubuntu and Mint is based on Ubuntu so everything should be close to the same with the install. I like using Linux a whole lot better than winxp, it has a quick learning curve and very efficient OS.

Question #2

The firefox bookmarks is easy, this always works for me...just save it as a .html file from any Firefox. You can restore it later.
Bookmarks > Organize Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Export to HTML

good luck!

Smokey_Mtn Ron · 05-17-2009, 05:14 PM

Ok! Thanks a lot to everybody for all the help!! Can't wait to get my new drive and get started on this. 2last questions though. 1. What about my drivers for cd, floppy, etc., will they still be installed? 2. My new drive is 500gb. When I partition, should I give all the empty space to home, or leave some that I can partition later if I have to?