i'm a freaking linux n00b

[waggythegeek]

So, i'm trying to install Linux mint, and i'm being very unsuccessful. I put the Linux mint ISO, directly from their site, onto a USB, and when I try to boot to it, I get a black screen with a blinking gray cursor. system specs are as follows:

intel core 2 duo e4600

intel dg35ec moterboard

4 gb ddr2

got any ideas?

[G27Racer_188]

Did you just put the ISO on USB, or did you make your USB bootable?

[waggythegeek]

2 minutes ago, G27Racer_188 said:

Did you just put the ISO on USB, or did you make your USB bootable?

just put the ISO on... what else is required of me?

[ThomasD]

And, is the BIOS configured to boot from USB?

[mikat]

Just now, waggythegeek said:

just put the ISO on... what else is required of me?

use rufus https://rufus.akeo.ie/

to burn the iso on the usb

[G27Racer_188]

2 minutes ago, waggythegeek said:

just put the ISO on... what else is required of me?

You need to make bootable USB, not to just put the file on it.

Use rufus to make bootable USB (https://rufus.akeo.ie/)

[Altecice]

Just now, waggythegeek said:

just put the ISO on... what else is required of me?

 

You need to make your USB stick bootable. I prefer to do it manually via Command Prompt:

 

Diskpart

list disk 

select disk # (whatever your USB is)

clean (WILL DELETE EVERYTHING ON THE USB)

create partition primary

select partition 1

format fs = fat32 quick

active

assign

 

----

 

After you have completed the above steps you will need to extract your .ISO and drag the files/folders onto the drive.

[Logarithm]

Yeah, the other posters are correct. You need to make the drive into a bootable USB drive.

I use a software called Universal USB Installer, it works off of Windows, and I found it pretty easy to navigate.

Here's a link to the webpage for the download.

 

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

 

Good luck with Linux Mint! It's a great distro!