I find Cinnamon to be good but Linux is somewhat intimidating to new users. It is not entirely user friendly. Reading advice from other users I am having difficulty understanding all of the short forms (terms) that most other users are familiar with. As one ages knowledge is more difficult to retain!!

Today I partitioned my hd because I wish to load windows 7 as a back up while I am learning more about Cinnamon. But, do not know how to change partition from 'unassigned" to I do not know what, and how will it affect how my computer acts.
So, 2 questions:
1 how to change "unassigned", and to what. and,
2 what should I do with the partitioned space?

Welcome to the forum.

Hello and welcome to the forum, clever username by the way.

Please note that this forum is for introductions only. I have requested a moderator move this thread to an appropriate forum.

Regards...

Greetings Doug.

Welcome to the forums!

You can do anything you want with that unpartitioned space.

Sounds as if you wanted to put Windows on it.

I would suggest you create a new thread in Linux - Newbie with some details and your questions.

This intro forum won't get your question the best exposure.

Just move down to the "unassigned" line so that it is highlighted and then you can use the listed options to create partitions in that space.

Note that installing Windows on top of Linux will change your bootloader to the Windows one. Windows is very antisocial that way! You'll have to reinstall the GRUB bootloader afterwards to get access to Linux again and you might need something like a SystemRescue CD on hand to do that. If I were you, I'd go to the SystemRescue site right now and create one. It's always a useful thing to have around.

This is a good guide to partitions and partitioning
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html
The program will be on your Mint installation medium.

The easiest thing to do is probably to re-install Windows and then re-install Linux. Hazel's right about SystemRescue: you might not need it now, but it's great for emergencies.

Have you read the Mint manual?
http://linuxmint.com/documentation/u...glish_18.0.pdf
Just take things slowly and learn what you need when you need it. Remember that you didn't find Windows obvious the first time you saw it!

Define for yourself a small task from your daily activity and set about learning to do it in linux.

OK

use or keep windows as a back up? dual boot? install windows first then Linux, then forget windows is installed and learn linux problem solved