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Post by mikkh on Jan 1, 2009 10:28:24 GMT
www.linuxmint.com/download.phpA few have tried Linux, most are put off by rumours, hearsay or just think it all sounds too complicated - it's not The link at the top is for Linux Mint 6, an improved (much improved IMO) version of Ubuntu Linux. What makes this special, is the 'mint4win' utility included on the CD. It allows you to install Mint on a Windows partition - even if you have the ghastly C drive only syndrome. It does away with all the things that usually put people off about Linux * No partitioning, it 'lives' in a folder within a Windows partition * No boot-loader to configure - it's done for you * Easy to completely uninstall via add/remove programs in Windows * Ultra easy install - basically just pick a username and password Tempted? You should be, if only to have an alternative if Windows isn't working for whatever reason. It works in XP or Vista - or both, if you have a dual booting system. First you need to download it and either burn it to a CD or use a 'virtual CD' and load it into that This is perhaps the most widely used one disc-tools.com/download/daemonOnce burnt or mounted to a virtual CD, simply run the 'mint4win' utility by double clicking it. This is the 'wubi' installer which 'mint4win' is based on You should see something very similar The only thing to watch for is the installation size. By default I think it wants to allocate 15 GB of HD space, which is way over the top IMO. 7 or 8 GB is plenty. If you have a big HD, it's not really important, but if you're struggling for room (you shouldn't be btw, that is asking for a slow system) or have a comparitively small HD by todays standards (less than 120 GB) then go for 7 or 8 GB Works well on laptops too, so now there's no excuse for anyone not to try Linux. Why should you bother? Well Linux is not Windows, so it can't be harmed by Windows nasties of any sort. It's more secure online, so if you want a safer environment to do your online banking etc, Linux is the thing to use. If Vista puts you off because your system might not be up to it, try Linux - it doesn't need the huge resources of Vista A happy Linux new year to you all
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Post by Lynnrose on Jan 1, 2009 10:35:53 GMT
Thankyou Mikkh for that information for members, let's see how many will convert in the year 2009
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Post by Jj on Jan 1, 2009 16:55:19 GMT
In the next few day mikkh, im getting an old pc, with a non genuine windows on it, that is totally no good to anyone without reinstalling an operation system. Ive asked for it because I want to try Linux, would I download Linux frm the link u give, to say my xp machine, burn to disk, then what? would i just boot the machine up with the disk in the drive?
Oh boy you may regret me wanting to try it! But I am a quick learner.
Jj x
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Post by lazysod on Jan 1, 2009 20:21:16 GMT
Good Luck Jj I was a complete novice and did not think I would like Linux but with Mikkh here to help you it will be easy he helped me so much and I love linux now.
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Post by mikkh on Jan 2, 2009 0:18:32 GMT
Yes, just download and burn it - then restart the machine with the CD in to do a 'real' install (on the older PC)
It's perfectly safe to try it on your existing machine though - it won't affect Windows, or stop you running it - you'll get a choice at boot time with Windows as the default. And the ability to uninstall easily as I stated previously
Just burn it and run the 'mint4win' file while still in Windows
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Post by pgweston on Jan 2, 2009 15:13:44 GMT
I have put this page into my Favorites and will be having a try in the near future. Regards to you all. Westy
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Post by lazysod on Jan 2, 2009 17:47:13 GMT
Hi Mikkh I am setting up my friends Pc just now and asked her if she wants to try this as she seemed impressed with my Ubuntu and I used to have mint and I really liked it.. A couple of times in the past when I have downloaded an image file when I go to burn it as image I got this error If I hit ignore it burns but does not work properly it has errors but I do not know what to change here to fix it It may just be a bad download and I may try it again but I thought I would ask you if there was a way to fix the block size, I dont even know what that is LOL.The last time I got this error I did just download it from another source and it burned OK .
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Post by mikkh on Jan 3, 2009 0:22:22 GMT
It could be a bad download, but it could be just a poor burning application that doesn't understand a Linux ISO properley. I guess it's Nero?
I haven't used it for ages, but I remember having problems with it, when I did use it.
I'd go for a fresh download myself
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Post by lazysod on Jan 3, 2009 21:23:08 GMT
Hi Mikkh your a star it was Nero :-[I booted up in Linux this time instead of xp as I had the image on a pen drive and I just clicked it and it burned straight away. I am now installing it on my friends PC. Nero seems to be fussy about what it burns but it looks perfect so far, so thanks from me and Linda as she will now be able to see what Linux is all about.
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Post by Jj on Jan 3, 2009 21:49:03 GMT
Ok, Im getting ready for this, tonight im in the proccess of downloading linux mint?, its an iso file ? tomorrow ill set up the none gen windows pc, would i burn the iso to a disk, or could i use a pen drive? and just boot the pc up ?
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Post by Jj on Jan 3, 2009 21:53:39 GMT
no need to answer, am reading the pdf file that they have and everything is explained clear as day. will let you know how I go!
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Post by Pete on Jan 6, 2009 11:11:44 GMT
Hi Mikkh, Do you know if I can partition my 8gb usb pen drive? Cos' I want to put Linux on it, as well as what's on it already. Pete.
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Post by elvisuk on Jan 6, 2009 19:39:25 GMT
H!, Well i have had Linux mint 6 on my Computer for about two weeks now and i think it is much better than Ubuntu i have just got another computer so i am going to put XP and Mint onto that and i hope i will not have to use XP much on it, the only bad thing is i still cannot get my Scanner to work with mint then again i have never been able to get my scanner to work with any Linux (
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Post by Jj on Jan 6, 2009 20:32:47 GMT
So far so good, I got Linux Mint installing as we speak, and so far its been a piece of cake!
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Post by Jj on Jan 6, 2009 21:08:51 GMT
Wow, done, that was soooo easy, now for a play around.
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Post by Lynnrose on Jan 6, 2009 21:16:05 GMT
Jj, et us know what your verdict is once you have got used to it. I'm sure Mikkh will be along to answer your query Pete and perhaps might have the answer for Elvis too
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Post by Lynnrose on Jan 6, 2009 21:21:40 GMT
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Post by Jj on Jan 6, 2009 21:59:16 GMT
Ta Daaaa, and from the Linux Mint pc, she logs into CIT, just to see how it all works!!!
Fantastic.
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Post by lazysod on Jan 6, 2009 22:05:09 GMT
Elvis Mikkh helped me find a driver that worked with my scanner so don't give up yet. Jj well done oh I bet you get hooked on Linux now I love it and I really like all the live Cd's as there are so many to try. Given time Mikkh will have us all converted
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Post by mikkh on Jan 7, 2009 0:03:51 GMT
Pete
As for partitioning your USB stick, my first thought would be - don't do it! Some versions of Linux do support running from USB, but it's usefulness as a travelling OS is severely limited because a lot of BIOS's either don't (or only partially) support USB booting. A 'live CD' is a much better option, because it works on 99% of PC's/laptops. Use a mini CD/DVD if you want something pocket sized
If you want to experiment, I would suggest you buy a second smaller capacity stick - a 2 GB one is about a fiver nowadays.
Elvis
A clue as to the make/model would help in resolving your scanner problem
Although I use and recommend Linux, I'm not advocating anyone should use it full time, till they get used to it. There's nothing wrong in using Windows now and again, if you have to. Most of my PC's also have Windows on them too
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Post by elvisuk on Jan 7, 2009 15:35:14 GMT
H! Lazy, LynnRose, Mikkh,
It's not about the drivers i have them from the Epson web site for my DX6000 stylus it downloads as a zip file then when i open it the files are ther but what do i do then? wear do i put the files or extract them too? if it was XP i would not had a problem but linux, i am a bit lost with the filing system i get this with all the zip files i download for linux. I am tring other things from the posts at MSN CIT at the moment as well.
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Post by mikkh on Jan 7, 2009 20:07:12 GMT
It's just an HTML file which leads you to another site - with lots of questions! Luckily for you, I've done the answering for you and it leads to these files www.avasys.jp/lx-bin2/linux_e/spc/DL2.doDownload the 'DEB' files for both printer and scanner Just double click the DEB files (in Ubuntu/Mint) to install them
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Post by elvisuk on Jan 8, 2009 13:50:32 GMT
H! Mikkh, I followed your link again as i have done a few other times with this link and went to install it and it says do i want to reinstall it and i side yes, it still will not work. I went in to Synaptic and check that i had Xsane or Sane on my Computer and put anything that had Sane or Xsane and put a tick and downloaded it. well that's me done i cant think of anything more i can do? apart from getting a new Printer & scanner which i will not do. ) Thanks
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Post by Pete on Jan 8, 2009 17:29:25 GMT
Mikkh, Thanks, my reason in wanting to use the pen drive was to leave the cd/dvd drive empty so that I could put in a media disk for music or video. Yes, good idea to use a 2gb but like you say I could use the CD, then boot it to RAM. Pete.[/size][/font]
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Post by mikkh on Jan 9, 2009 23:59:08 GMT
Pete, you could also use a live CD like Puppy (which also has an install to USB option) but installs to RAM by default, thus leaving you free to eject the CD you booted off. The default 'Puppy' is a bit sparse (eye candy wise) and I would recommend one of the prettier community edition ones like 'Tiger'
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Post by Pete on Jan 10, 2009 10:01:44 GMT
Okay thanks Mikkh, I shall try and find where to get a copy of puppy/tiger. That is a fine desktop picture. Pete.[/size][/font]
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Post by mikkh on Jan 10, 2009 16:55:35 GMT
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Post by Jj on Jan 10, 2009 22:06:14 GMT
OMG!!!!! I found lots n lots of games just begging to be installed!!!!!!![/size][/font]
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Post by Jj on Jan 10, 2009 22:49:41 GMT
Am a total convert to Linux Mint, its got games fopr me, games for my grandsons, and I cant get over howw easy it all is, Ill neever go back to windoze.[/size][/font]
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Post by mikkh on Jan 12, 2009 0:30:14 GMT
Two of the better games are 'SuperTux' and 'Chromium'
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