Hi Dave,
I just read the link to installing Mint. It was definitely not the way I installed it because I used a program that did everything automatically. I had it on my USB Mint drive but it is not there anymore. All I had to do was choose the time zone. I believe it was Rufus. By the way, Mint just hung while I was doing a search for Rufus!

The installation was very flaky in terms of hanging. Then I decided to get rid of Windows 10, and I used the programme OS-Uninstaller. That's when I wiped out my data files because it asked about deleting partition 6 and 7 which I thought were Windows 10. At that point I used OS-Uninstaller to remove all of Windows. I think I may have done another installation, which you had suggested. I now have three partitions: partition 1 [Vol 1] EF1system 537 MB; Partition 2 991 GB Ex 4; Swap Partition 3 8.5 GB.
I am wondering if I should do a totally new install.

I'll look at the bug link tomorrow.

The vlc default app issue. Go to computer with the dvd in the drive select the dvd movie icon right click and select open with. In that window change to smplayer.

I am looking at the your computers specifications of you system on the web. I found it. The system is a EFI bootloader which gives linux issues with installing from any media but windows bootloader. The windows partition still there is most likely a secure boot partition which which is hidden on windows. In some cases it is better to turn it off and in some bios setups you can. The link below for the how to is here. Now if you see this just let me know. Do not change anything since doing so you may have to reinstall mint. I just want to know if the option is there. I have never used a usb to install linux but I know how to create one.



http://community.acer.com/t5/Aspire-...03/td-p/356798


How did you stop the install from hanging?

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The film comes up automatically on VLC. I right clicked on the DVD icon and it offered besides VLC, "Videos" and "Brasero". No SMP. Might just have to uninstall VLC and re-install.

Sorry, I didn't mean the process of installing was flaky. I meant the final product, i.e. Mint was flaky. I read the link but they seem to say that it was not possible to turn off EUFI to Legacy [which I assume means to Linux format?]

I went into the BIOS and here is the information I got:

[Top Right Panel]
[this line in white colour]
...
When I hit F12 for Setup only ubuntu appears on the list. I hope this helps.

Hi Dave,
I solved the SMPlayer problem. To remove the VLC priority I had to go to:
and change it there and in the Removable Media option. I tested it and it came up and I could turn on and off the subtitles. I'll play the entire DVD this evening and see if it hangs.

Hi Dave,
I thought I had posted this reply but I must have lost it. Anyway,nope SMPlayer hung within 5 minutes of playing the DVD. If other people are also having trouble then I guess I will just have to wait and play my DVDs on my other computer.

What version of mint linux 18 did you download the 32bit or the 64bit?

To be able to install from a dvd I have my first boot option CD/DVD. I never had to deal with secure boot issues before. Seems all the settings are correct. I will have to research secure boot options in detail.

The iso image of the LiveDvd lets one test the the computer before install. Myself if I had the issues you have i would test the livedvd see what happens. If you decided to reinstall the system I wipe the drive with the livedvd installer and start again with a eithernet cable attached to get updates and check the extra packages option if you do not get the wireless connected. Unplug but keep your USB. Issues that may occur is the dvd will not boot. If you burn the dvd than burn it on the next slower speed i found that works best for a large iso image.

When you get to the boot tab on the BIOS It there a just a boot mode with UEFI? Maybe the option is labeled differently. What options do you get when you select System Boot State which currently is set as user. if you see legacy BIOS select that press F10 reboot. if you do not see Legacy option list what is there please.

There seems to be a BIOS update for your desktop to be able CSM [think legacy support]. The only way I know of installed BIOS updates is though windows. If the recovery partition is still there on the drive I believe it is It may be possible to restore windows 8 and than update the BIOS but I am not comfortable with suggesting that you do this step. if something fails it can brick your system. The recovery partition is hidden and linux will not see that part of the drive. I thought it was the secure boot nope.

The BIOS update page for your system is below [I suggest you call up Acer] and ask what version to use if you go down this option. The link will go only to the driver manual page. In the columns group, series, and product. Click desktop --aspire --Aspire XC-603 than click BIOS/firmware tab to get the list.


http://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers


Mint Linux release notes mate desktop

https://linuxmint.com/rel_sarah_mate.php

On the mint linux 18 release notes there are steps you can do to install Mint Linux. Secure boot really needs to be shut off. Otherwise I think you will never get linux to function correctly if it cannot be shut off. If you can not boot the Live dvd of Mint Linux secure boot is not turned off.

From reading your sudo lspci -v output I would try mate desktop instead of cinnamon desktop. Cinnamon desktop is based of of Gnome 3 and Mate desktop is based of of Gnome 2 which uses less resources.

With all that, read the release notes which are the the same for both installs. the videos of how to perform steps are there for UEFI enabled BIOS.

I'm sure I downloaded the 64 bit. Yes, it's the 64-bit Cinnamon edition. What is Secure Boot? It is a Windows thing? Read your second comment and will study and try to follow later. It's just a bit scary for me.

Hi Dave,
I was in the middle of writing this reply and I hit tab and everything disappeared. So here goes again.
To your question re EUFI boot mode NO, none.

For System Boot State [under "Authenticate":

The Secure Boot is highlighted and I can change it by hitting the Enter key. However, I cannot seem to be able to move the cursor onto the other two commands. It's as if I can only change Secure Boot. Is it possible to remove it. It's Microsoft way of sinking its claws into one's system.

Under Boot I have:

I moved Ubuntu up to 1.

Then I had:
Finally I had:

Boot Menu [Enabled]
Quiet Boot [Enabled]
D2D Recovery [Enabled]
Halt On [All, but keyboard]


I am going to make a live DVD as you suggested. Then I will look at the update for Legacy support.

Yes Secure boot is a Microsoft invention. If you want to read a lot than read the link below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unifie...ware_Interface

To the reply of
You should be able to use the arrow keys to select other options. One thing when trying to install from a dvd the first boot option should be CD/DVD.The ubuntu option should be last, is most likely from when you used the USB to install mint.


If you see these settings in the BIOS you disable them will help with the UEFI below

Quickboot/Fastboot
Intel Smart Response Technology (ISRT)
FastStartUp (if you had Windows 8) it may not be in the BIOS on some systems.

Hi Dave,
I burnt a DVD at two speeds down from the fastest. Then I selected the DVD to boot and when it came up with a choice, I selected . I'm not sure which integrity, but I am assuming it is the integrity of the DVD and not the hard drive? It said it was OK. I then booted the system with the DVD in the drive. The desktop showed all my usual icons so I am not sure if I am in the hard drive or the DVD. Anyway, I will reboot in the DVD and see if I can run VLC. If not, then the problem is not with the system on my hard drive but with VLC.

How did you want me to check my system with the DVD?

Checking the integrity has to do with the .iso image not the DVD:-

Hi RenH

Ok It booted into the live dvd which is what I was wanted to see. The integrity check is to check the DVD for errors before you install the mint. You should see a icon saying install mint Linux below the Home folder on the desktop The idea is to re-install from the dvd see if anything changes.

Does the live dvd have your wireless card active and you can connect to the internet or do you have to use a ethernet cable. I am going to say this may not work but we need to try this and see if the install run better.

Installing from DVD steps..

1. Click the install mint linux icon [if this icon is not there tell me. Look in the menu for.]
below the home folder a window will open. Pick native language.

Link for installing Linux mint below so you can view this it will give you a visual reference. The is not my video but I based my steps on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfZs3n0pcV0

2. Installation type pick the option "Erase disk and install Linux mint" the will wipe the old one and install from the dvd.

3. Next the pick your location where you live.

4. Next is keyboard layout which is english if you live in the USA.

5. Next user name and password. I would use a easy password to remember. the computers name I would call it acer_desktop you can not leave it blank. after this the Installation from the dvd will start coping the the files to the hard drive. depending on how fast your system is it could take 10-30 mins.

Once the install is done reboot and remove the dvd. Than we will see if the computer will boot into
mint desktop. If nothing went wrong. The next step is to update the installation.

6. Go to the menu search for update manager click refresh once it reloads update everything that needs updating. Ok I am stopping there if we get passed all this above we are good. Good Luck.

Hi Ztorocat,
I got halfway down checking the integrity of the iso image. I was following the steps given by Linux Mint centre. So I got to the step of doing the checksum:

I thought perhaps the error lay in the number of dashes so in the last line I tried with one dash but I can't understand what the programme is telling me.
So far I have done the following steps leading up to above:
1. imported the signing key
2. made a folder / into which the checksums also went.
3. right clock on the iso and extracted the url
4. right clicked on the two last files and right clicked and saved as into the same gnupg folder
5. Tried to verify with the command above.

Thanks Dave,
I'll have to first make a new backup of my files., but before I even try to re-install I would like to check the present system on my drive to see what are the difference between it and the live DVD after I have done a verification of the iso. So it will take a few days!