Using Linux Mint with Windows on a Dual Partition

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) for versions earlier than 13.04 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 Ubuntu 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 Ubuntu Download site.


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

DUAL BOOT LINUX AND WINDOWS - You know that CD, DVD or USB you created in the step ABOVE You can use that same media to install a dual boot of Linux alongside Windows. That way, if you are playing conservative and don't want to end up in the deep end being a newbie and all with Linux, you can at BOOT UP decide which OS you want to use. This allows you to gain some experience in using Linux, its free Office and other applications and see how they compare to Windows and its commercial applications.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Plug in the CD, DVD or USB you created.


2. Hit the <F12> key or whatever key you need to on your computer to display the BIOS.


3. Select the option that corresponds to your optical device whether it be DVD/CD or USB from the BIOS menu. Hit <Enter>.


4. Select the the first option "Start Linux Mint".


5. Click on the Disc icon that says "Install Linux Mint".


6. Go through and select the appropriate options until you get to Installation Type Window.


7. Select the first option "Install Linux Mint alongside them".


8. Select how much space to allocate to Linux Mint on a separate partition from your Windows OS.


9. Go through the rest of the installation process choosing values specific to your Country.


10. You can use the link below to help you with the rest of the installation process even though the tutorial is about removing Windows from its partition and replacing the whole computer with Linux Mint.


11. When it is time to boot up the computer, you will now have Linux Mint as an option to boot into besides Windows.

Installing Linux Mint Tutorial