Booting and Installing Linux Mint
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Let's run through a typical Linux Mint installation...
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Insure your files are backed up frequently, and definitely before making changes or installing any software. The boot installation will run from the DVD but a complete installation will overwrite your hard drive.
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Insert DVD into drive
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Linux will boot from the DVD
–If Linux doesn’t boot from the DVD you may need to change the BIOS to boot from CD/DVD drive first
Linux Mint Running from DVD
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Linux Mint installs with minimal applications
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Greyed out “Install Linux Mint” icon indicates that you are running this distribution from the DVD and your computer is not altered
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This configuration allows exploration of Linux and testing its different features
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For permanent installation of Linux Mint click on the “Install Linux Mint” icon.
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The remainder of Lesson 4 will take you through a permanent installation of Linux Mint.
The first step is choose your installation language. If you don't want English there are many other languages to choose from...
Installing Linux Mint
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Next the installation confirms that your computer has adequate hard drive space (7.6 GB),
Is connected to power other than a battery (to insure the installation is not interrupted due to loss of power),
And is connected to the internet (for additional software updates).
The next step is deciding what type of installation to accomplish. Choose from the following options:
1. Install Linux Mint alongside your current operating system.
2. Perform a “wipe and load” installation which erases everything on your hard drive prior to installing Linux Mint.
3. The remaining choices allow custom configuration of the installation
4. I recommend either of the first two options.
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The next step asks for your profile information:
1.Your name (this will be used in creating the default computer name)
2. Computer name is generated automatically or your may change the default name.
3.Choose a user name.
4.You can set a password and require it for login or select the “Log in automatically” for non-password login.
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Add Profile Information
Informational Slides During Installation
After clicking Continue on the Profile Informatin page the installation process begins.
The installation takes a few minutes so relax and view the Linux Mint informational slides while waiting.
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Web Browsing and Audio
Linux Mint offers Firefox as a web browser and supports Flash and Java for multimedia content.
Audio is supported through Banshee
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DVD's, Videos, and Photos
VLC is the default video media player...
... and photos can be managed with gThumb or Picasa
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Social Media, SMS, Email, and Productivity Apps
Keep in touch with your friends through Linux with Thunderbird, Pidgin, and Hexchat for email, messaging, and chat.
For productivity, LibreOffice is compatible with Microsoft Office and offers word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications.
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Still have old Windows programs you want to run? No problem. Wine is a built-in Windows emulator and with Virtualbox you can even experiment with other operating systems on your very own virtual computer.
Thousands of applications are available for Linux including Steam, Skype, Google Earth, and Picasa.
Web Applications and Software
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System updates and patches are easily installed through Linux Mint's Update Manager.
Create your own custom desktop from a large selection of backgrounds, themes, and icons.
Desktop Customization and System Updates
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Linux Help
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