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To: NewHampshireDuo

.. so, for the op system challenged, if the old box is running Vista and only has 1 Meg of memory, ... how do you change systems???? Do you open a DOS prompt and somehow down load Mint? Do I open Vista and then download Mint and then how does one “switch” to the other operating system?

tia for any process steps anyone can share with the IT challenged crowd!

ymmv


15 posted on 02/11/2014 5:50:33 AM PST by ElectionInspector (Molon Labe...)
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To: ElectionInspector

The Mint site has pretty good instructions on how to do the install. Basically, you download the iso file. From this you burn a disk (DVD). You have two options, one is to try it out in Live mode, the other is to install it.

Pop the disk into your drive and boot from the disk (you may have to enter your BIOS to alter your boot priority). Mint will then run and you can get a feel for it.

If you want to install it beside your Vista, just click Install Mint on the desktop. The install is very easy, just follow a few instructions (language, etc.) It should give you the proper defaults.

After it’s installed, when you start up your computer you will see a screen asking you which OS you want to run.

For your small memory, you may want to either add some more or use one of the lighter weight desktops.

If you don’t want to mess with burning a disk, you can get Linux distros from companies like osdisc.com. They cost about $6 plus postage.

Try it, you’ll love it.


17 posted on 02/11/2014 6:04:24 AM PST by NewHampshireDuo
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To: ElectionInspector

You would download a copy of your Linux distribution of choice, burn it to a CD (or DVD, if it’s too big to fit on a CD), and then boot directly from the CD.

Exactly how to boot from a CD can vary from computer to computer. Some computers are set up to boot from a CD automatically if a bootable CD is inserted; on other computers, you need to press a certain key right after starting up your computer so that you can select which device to boot from (I.E. a hard disk versus a CD). On my laptop, that key is F12.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to have Windows OR Linux on your computer - you can have both! Linux can be installed side-by-side with Windows. This is called “dual booting.” If you do that, every time your computer boots up, a graphical menu will appear that you can use to select whether you want to load Windows or Linux.

If dual booting sounds difficult, it isn’t. The Linux installer will handle that for you if that’s what you want.


18 posted on 02/11/2014 6:07:34 AM PST by Cato in PA (Smile, you're on NSA camera!)
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To: ElectionInspector

Neither of the previous replies to you mentioned that you can install (or boot LiveDisk without having to actually install) on a USB too... I install all of my OS’s from USB.

Download an ISO, boot with it (either from DVD or USB) and mess around with it to see if you like it (meaning the different distros)..

If you like it, you can choose to install. Mint, for sure, is pretty automatic with detecting and using your ‘net connection upon boot (has a weakness to one brand of wireless, can’t remember which one, since the one I use worked with no problems).

Also, since you are limited, I suggest either Mate or XfCE, it works wonders on old laptops and PCs.. and I am talking about 10+ years old; XfCE is Not as user friendly though.. Next, I would recommend KDE.. a little bit more resource needed, but is manageable... Cinnamon (and Unity/Ubuntu) are both resource hogs (eye candy stuff)).


31 posted on 02/11/2014 7:51:28 AM PST by Bikkuri ( those would have been affected.)
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