Clean install linux mint 20
by septuagenarian from LinuxQuestions.org on (#58ZXE)
CLEAN INSTALL LINUX MINT 20
WHAT I WANT TO DO
My own desktop computer OS is Mint 18.3 with 2GB RAM
My sons desktop computer OS is Mint 17.3 with 4GB RAM
I want to install Mint 20 LTS on both computers so they are supported until 2025
We've had Mint for the last 4 years, the 6 years before that I had Ubuntu. Linux OS have always been installed by a friend who also sorted any problems, but unfortunately he is no longer available to help, so now I must learn to do it myself, I have never tried this before and I dont understand terminal commands, although I can copy and paste if necessary.
ALREADY DONE
I've downloaded Mint 20 from the official Linux site, and using instructions on the same site I've verified that the iso is authentic and signed as Good.
With the Mint format tool I formatted a 16GB USB flash drive in FAT 32, then dragged the iso onto the USB flash drive.
I've checked that Mint 20 will work on both computers by altering the boot order in BIOS to boot from the USB. On my computer the logo appeared followed by the GRUB menu (I think that's what it's called), top item start linux mint" was highlighted, then it crashed and I had to unplug. Online search suggested try start in compatibility mode", this worked although the pages seemed squashed and too wide for the screen, but had a good look around Mint 20 and apart from the squashed appearance, all worked perfect. On my sons computer it opened from start linux mint", pages not distorted at all and worked perfect. Also tried a couple of You tube videos on both machines to check sound and video, no problems.
As our current OS are a bit old, and also as I am not familiar with terminal commands, I've read that a clean install would be much better than the upgrade route, but as I'm afraid of losing everything if it goes wrong, an article suggested that Timeshift" would save the day, so I've installed Timeshift" on both computers.
QUESTIONS
1) How do I put a Timeshift snapshot onto a USB flashdrive? (I assume that a clean install will wipe the hard drive - including Timeshift) When I insert USB it shows on Timeshift > Location, but if I select USB, get message selected device does not have Linux partition".
2) Why will the USB not launch from start linux mint" on my computer, and why is the appearance wrong in compatibility mode"? Is it because I have only 2GB RAM, if so, can I upgrade to 4GB RAM? My computer is 10 years old, but I believe it could handle 4GB max. The computer manufacturer has advised that my RAM is DDR2 which they no longer stock, but say it should be available.
3) My computer has a spare 40GB hard drive fitted (by the friend) that I use to back up my photos, can this safely be left in situ whilst doing a clean install of Mint 20? If not and it is necessary to disconnect it first, how do I do this?
4) What critical decisions will I be asked to make during the install process?
5) Hopefully not needed, but if the install goes wrong, how do I use Timeshift from the USB flash drive to get Mint 18.3 back?
Sorry this is a bit long winded, but I'm venturing into unknown territory. You can tell that I don't really know what I'm doing, but any help will be much appreciated as now I need to learn how to sort this out for myself. Thank you in advance for your help.
Screenshot of both computers hardware attached.
/home/bill/Documents/My computer Screenshot at 2020-09-28 16-02-07.png
/home/bill/Documents/Steven's computer Screenshot at 2020-09-28 15_48_01.png
WHAT I WANT TO DO
My own desktop computer OS is Mint 18.3 with 2GB RAM
My sons desktop computer OS is Mint 17.3 with 4GB RAM
I want to install Mint 20 LTS on both computers so they are supported until 2025
We've had Mint for the last 4 years, the 6 years before that I had Ubuntu. Linux OS have always been installed by a friend who also sorted any problems, but unfortunately he is no longer available to help, so now I must learn to do it myself, I have never tried this before and I dont understand terminal commands, although I can copy and paste if necessary.
ALREADY DONE
I've downloaded Mint 20 from the official Linux site, and using instructions on the same site I've verified that the iso is authentic and signed as Good.
With the Mint format tool I formatted a 16GB USB flash drive in FAT 32, then dragged the iso onto the USB flash drive.
I've checked that Mint 20 will work on both computers by altering the boot order in BIOS to boot from the USB. On my computer the logo appeared followed by the GRUB menu (I think that's what it's called), top item start linux mint" was highlighted, then it crashed and I had to unplug. Online search suggested try start in compatibility mode", this worked although the pages seemed squashed and too wide for the screen, but had a good look around Mint 20 and apart from the squashed appearance, all worked perfect. On my sons computer it opened from start linux mint", pages not distorted at all and worked perfect. Also tried a couple of You tube videos on both machines to check sound and video, no problems.
As our current OS are a bit old, and also as I am not familiar with terminal commands, I've read that a clean install would be much better than the upgrade route, but as I'm afraid of losing everything if it goes wrong, an article suggested that Timeshift" would save the day, so I've installed Timeshift" on both computers.
QUESTIONS
1) How do I put a Timeshift snapshot onto a USB flashdrive? (I assume that a clean install will wipe the hard drive - including Timeshift) When I insert USB it shows on Timeshift > Location, but if I select USB, get message selected device does not have Linux partition".
2) Why will the USB not launch from start linux mint" on my computer, and why is the appearance wrong in compatibility mode"? Is it because I have only 2GB RAM, if so, can I upgrade to 4GB RAM? My computer is 10 years old, but I believe it could handle 4GB max. The computer manufacturer has advised that my RAM is DDR2 which they no longer stock, but say it should be available.
3) My computer has a spare 40GB hard drive fitted (by the friend) that I use to back up my photos, can this safely be left in situ whilst doing a clean install of Mint 20? If not and it is necessary to disconnect it first, how do I do this?
4) What critical decisions will I be asked to make during the install process?
5) Hopefully not needed, but if the install goes wrong, how do I use Timeshift from the USB flash drive to get Mint 18.3 back?
Sorry this is a bit long winded, but I'm venturing into unknown territory. You can tell that I don't really know what I'm doing, but any help will be much appreciated as now I need to learn how to sort this out for myself. Thank you in advance for your help.
Screenshot of both computers hardware attached.
/home/bill/Documents/My computer Screenshot at 2020-09-28 16-02-07.png
/home/bill/Documents/Steven's computer Screenshot at 2020-09-28 15_48_01.png