Installation Guide

How to Install Linux Mint

https://www.google.com/#q=How+to+Install+Linux+Mint

There are quite a few resources available for how to install Linux. Some are better than others. As a new user it can be difficult to choose which process instructions to follow.

This page is a collection of my personal observations, resources, and notes, for installing Linux Mint. It should apply to many similar "Distros" (Distributions) of Linux, especially those related to Ubuntu Linux.

The most common area of confusion, especially if you have ever installed Windows, is how to partition and configure the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) space for Linux... so here are a few quick notes on that.

You actually need 3 separate areas partitioned on your HDD to install Linux. Fortunately, the installation process for Linux Mint walks you through this pretty easily and efficiently. Linux also typically uses a different File System (the process used to format the HDD) than MS-Windows.

Ext4

This is the best selection to make when choosing what File System to use for your Linux installation. Earlier versions are available.

Drive Partitions

While you can install Linux Mint on the same drive partition as MS Windows, it is probably preferable to install it to its own partition. One of the bigger advantages to this method is that you can format the drive to the most popular EXT# format that is used by Linux. Otherwise you will be running it on the FAT32 or NTFS format commonly used by Windows. (Which is OK, but if you are going to use Linux, why not go all the way?)

So this section is assuming you've set aside a drive partition just for Linux. It does not need to be the C: drive.

If you have never worked with creating drive partitions, then you probably do not want to try the following on a system that has critical data or software on it, anywhere. If this is your first try with this, then do it on an older machine that you can survive it getting buggered up.

During the installation process you will effectively divide / configure the partition into 3 sections. These sections and their sizes and uses are outlined here:

• • System Partition

    • This is the drive partition, which will house the following:

  • / ... Root

    • The Root Partition is where the Linux OS files and other installed software reside.

    • 10-GB is a reasonable / suggested minimum for Mint.

    • 20-GB is a comfortable starting place.

    • Make it larger if you plan to install a lot of software.

  • /home

    • The home partition is where all your data files reside. Make it the remaining free space on the disk... after you set the Swap directory.

  • Swap ... 1x to 2x RAM

    • Swap is used for memory paging in Linux (most notably when RAM runs low.)

    • The Swap section is also used to store session information when the system is put into "Hibernation"

      • Hibernation allows you to save your session, boot into another OS, then come back to that session. It uses a fair amount of space.

    • The basic rule for the swap section is 1.5 x the amount of RAM in the system (including Hibernation mode).

    • For no use of Hibernation mode, the Swap area can be equal to the RAM.

The above are guidelines, here is a step-by-step example... for:

Linux Mint 17.3 64-bit "Rosa" Cinnamon DE

After you get a successful boot into Linux, and have done all the proper preparations...

• 1. Click "Install Linux Mint"

  2. Verify Language ... Continue

  3. Check Preparations ... Continue

     1. 10-GB HDD is suggested for the entire installation.

     2. Be on AC Power

     3. Have a wired Internet connection

  4. Installation Type

• • 1. Here is where you need to make a big decision.

    2. These are the choices:

       1. "Erase Disk and Install Linux Mint"

          1. This completely wipes your drive.

          2. Use with caution.

       2. "Encrypt the new Linux Mint installation for security"

• • • • 1. Not a great choice for your first install.

        2. Not really needed for a home PC

        3. More suited to a Notebook PC, but still a BIG risk if you space-out on the password you give it.

• • 2. 3. "Use LVM with the new Linux Mint installation"

• • • • 1. Not a good choice for a new user.

• • 2. 4. "Something else"

• • • • 1. Good choice for setting your own partitions, especially if you have a free drive / partition on your system.

        2. I usually use this one.

• • 3. Choose one, and... Install Now

Opps! ... ran out of time... be back soon to finish this.

:-)

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