Taking Linux Mint for a Test Drive

BACK UP, BABY! BACKUP!!! - Before you take the plunge with trying Linux on your Laptop, PC or workstation, be sure you either have a spare machine with your Windows OS installed on it and all of your important files backed up. (There's nothing worse than trying something new and having something go wrong during the process of trying something new and not being able to go back to how it was before.)

TRY A LIVE CD, DVD OR USB - Before you install something new to your treasured Laptop, make sure you feel comfortable with the look and feel of using the new OS. Linux Mint (Download Linux Mint) gives you the option of using a Windows installer (Wubi) or an ISO file. The ISO file is a container storing all of the programs necessary to run the OS all compressed in one file that is represented with a Disc image graphically and with the extension .iso (i.e. myfile.iso)

• What you need to do is download the ISO file of the version of Linux Mint you want to use based on whether your hardware is 64-bit or 32-bit onto your Laptop.


• Then you need to download this program called Universal USB Installer (Download UUI) to create the LIVE CD, DVD or USB.


• Follow the instructions of the UUI site to create the LIVE CD, DVD or USB OR you can use the Wubi from either the Linux Mint Download sites.


• After you are done creating the LIVE CD, DVD or USB. Shut down your Windows Laptop.


• Plug in your CD, DVD or USB.


• Turn on your Laptop.


• Hit whatever key brings you to the BIOS on your Laptop. Mine was <F12>.

The Linux Mascot (aka TUX)

• Select the Linux Mint from the Options menu and Voila!!! You're off and running Linux Mint.