New to Linux - Need Guidance

olds442

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Hello! I am looking to set up a dual-boot operating system, with current Win 7 (yes, Win 7 because I'm not ready to make the jump to Win 10), and a Linux OS on a completely separate drive. The idea is to install Linux to see what hardware and programs work with it.

First, system specs:

Win 7
Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0
AMD FX4350 black edition, quad core
8 gig Patriot ram
AMD RX550 vid card (will be upgrading to Nvidia soon)
1 TB WD HDD (current OS)
1 TB WD HHD (will use stand alone for Linux)
Antec HCG 750 PS
Antec Kuhler CPU cooler

Games
IL2 Sturmovik 1946
IL2 Battle of Stallngrad, Battle of Moscow
World of Warships
IL2 Cliffs of Dover

Peripherals
MS FFB2 joystick (still works great, and does not need programing software to run)
Saitek X52 throttle and rudder pedals
Asus RT-AC68P router
Asus VN-247 monitor

Software
Firefox
Excel, Word, Power Point, along with Open Office software

As you have probably guessed by now, I do more flight sims than anything else. I'm trying to see if there is an OS that can run what I have. I have had experience using Win 10 where I work, and I do not like it. Buggy to say the least. I'm sure I will have to go to it at some point, but it would be nice to see if there is an alternative.

I have been looking through this forum, and see so many terms I am not familiar with...Unbuntu, kernel, distro, Linux mint, and on and on...starting to get confused over what is what. I am a mechanical engineer, and can build and maintain my own systems, but I am not a software programmer, so this may be getting in over my head.

I will be installing the OS on a completely separate hard drive. I have just cleaned almost everything off of it, and I should probably format a partition just for Linux (btw, does it need to stay NTFS or Fat32?). What would be the best OS to start with for what I am doing, and how should I go about this?

Thank you,

olds442
 


G'day olds442, and Welcome to Linux.org

just for starters...

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

and then....maybe a good idea to "test drive" something like Linux Mint, Cinnamon......arguably the most popular Linux OS on the planet

Burn the iso to a usb....boot from it amd test drive it....it wont be as quick as if it was installed....but it will give an idea. Because it is running from the usb and from your ram, it is not actually installed to your hard drive.....so no harm can be done.

You obviously have some experience....so take a read through the following blurb :

First, you can -- __and should__ -- try Linux Mint before switching to it. Fortunately, unlike other operating systems, Linux distros like Mint make it easy to give them a test run before installing it.

First you'll need to download a copy of Linux Mint, which comes with three different desktops: MATE, Xfce, and its default desktop, Cinnamon. If you have a 2012-or-newer PC, I recommend you download the 64-bit version of Mint with Cinnamon and multi-media support.

If you don't have an __ISO burner program__, download one. I recommend freeware programs ImgBurn for optical drives and Yumi for Windows for USB sticks. Other good choices are LinuxLive USB Creator and UNetbootin. These are also free programs.

((( I use unetbootin. I download the iso file separately....I don't use unetbootin to download it for me. I then use the area at the bottom of the unetbootin window to locate the iso on my pc, select the USB stick to write it to....select 4gb of persistence (so that after a reboot most/all the changes i have made will still be there)....and away we go !)))


**Giving Mint a try**

Once you've installed the burner program and have the latest Linux Mint ISO file in hand, use the burner to put the ISO image to your disc or USB stick. If you're using a DVD -- __Mint is too big to fit on a CD__ -- check your newly burned disc for errors. Over the years, I've had more __problems with running Linux and installing Linux from DVDs__ from bad discs than all other causes combined.

You can set it up a USB stick with persistent storage. With this, you can store your programs and files on the stick. This way you can carry Linux and use it as a walk-around operating system for hotel, conference, and library PCs. I've found this to be very handy and there's always at least one Linux stick in my laptop bag.

**Next, you place your disc or USB stick into your PC and reboot**. During the reboot, stop the boot-up process and get to your PC's UEFI or BIOS settings. How you do this varies according to the system.

Look for a message as the machine starts up that tells which key or keys you'll need to press in order to get to the BIOS or UEFI. Likely candidates are a function key or the "esc" or "delete" keys. __If you don't spot it the first time, don't worry about it. Just reboot and try again.__


Once you get to the BIOS or UEFI, look for a menu choice labeled "Boot," "Boot Options," or "Boot Order." If you don't see anything with the word "boot" in it, check other menu options such as "Advanced Options," "Advanced BIOS Features," or "Other Options." Once you find it, set the boot order so that instead of booting from the hard drive first, you boot from either the CD/DVD drive or from your USB drive.

Once your PC is set to try to boot first from the alternative drive, insert your DVD or USB stick and reboot. __Then, select "Start Linux Mint" from the first menu. And, from there, you'll be running Linux Mint.__


Some Nvidia graphics cards don't work well with Mint's open-source driver. If Linux Mint freezes during boot, use the "nomodeset" boot option. You set this to the Start Linux Mint option and press __'e'__ to modify the boot options. Then, replace "quiet splash" with "nomodeset" and press F10 to boot. On older PCs using BIOS, press 'tab' instead of 'e.'

__MINT WILL RUN SLOWER THIS WAY, BUT IT WILL BOOT AND RUN__. If you decide to install Mint, you can permanently fix the problem with the following steps:

Run the Driver Manager
Choose the NVIDIA drivers and wait for them to be installed
Reboot the computer

SO **FAR YOU HAVEN'T INSTALLED ANYTHING ON YOUR PC, BUT YOU WILL BE RUNNING LINUX MINT. USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY WITH IT TO SEE IF YOU LIKE IT..**

Using a DVD drive Mint will run slowly, but it will run quickly enough to give you an idea of what it's like to use Mint. With a USB stick, it runs fast enough to give you a good notion of what working with Mint is like.

PLEASE...play with it...explore everywhere....you CANNOT break it...remember it is on a thumb drive....if it goes up in smoke, just reboot and away you go again. No harm done. :)
 
Hi olds442! And welcome to Linux.org! To your last question about partitions, Linux doesn't use NTFS or FAT, it uses GPT. However, Linux can and will read and write to the Windows partition types. Since you are wanting to install to a seperate hard drive just leave the space unallocated. Linux will see the drive and do what it needs to create partitions, format and install the OS. Or you can use more advanced options that we can cover when you decide which flavor Linux you want to try. For starters I'd recommend going to DistroWatch.com, and go over all the different versions. Those that interest you, you can download the ISO, burn and test drive it without making a change to your computer. We will help you with that too. https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

For test driving Linux Mint, I'd give this thread a close study. It has some very good information that will also pertain to testing many different versions of Linux: https://www.linux.org/threads/how-to-try-linux-mint-on-your-windows-pc.20993/#post-61821

I have currently have 5 computers dual booting with Windows 7 and Linux Mint Cinnamon. I chose Mint because it was the closest thing to Windows, in my opinion, plus it just worked out of the box for me. Whatever flavor you choose, I can give you some pointers for dual booting with Windows.

Oh yeah, I have a special desktop computer that runs Windows 10. It is a server for my security cameras, and you are right, it has many issues. Windows 10 is not long for that computer, it will get Linux Mint Cinnamon too.

Edit to add: Does your user name have anything to do with the old Oldsmobile 442? If so, post a pic or make it your avatar! I loved that car!
 
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Thank you for the quick replies! Looks like I can get some good help in here.

Why yes, as a matter of fact it does have to do with the 442, in fact, an 87 442 that I rescued and now drive (not in the winter if I can avoid it). Before I post the pics, what size do they need to be? I have Irfan View, and can reduce them. Have one already reduced to 1080x600.
 
I think the forum software will reduce it for your avatar. For a posted picture, size limits start with your host, I use Imjur, and they size it down automatically too. Look at the FAQ's or your control panel to see if there are any limits to size, beyond the obvious.

I like restoring old British iron, Triumph to be exact. I currently have a 1974 TR6. The one in my avatar. I've also got an affinity for Mustangs.
 
Cool! I'm pretty partial to Oldsmobiles. I also have a 77 Cutlass Salon that I hope to start working on soon. Grew up driving mid-70's A body Cutlasses, and spent a lot of time around 69 and 70 models, specifically the 70 442 W-30...that was a bad machine.

Here's some pics:

87442_1.jpg

87442_3.jpg


Found this sitting in someones yard, near a barn. Had sat for 10 years. Did not run, and had no brakes, etc. Went through engine, brake lines, changed gas tank, etc. Took 5 years of work, when time and money permitted. Now I can drive it almost anywhere...has saved my bacon when I didn't have anything else to drive. This is the last year for the 442, and is one of only 1111 made with T-Tops. Has nearly all options, including limited slip rear end. Wheels are new to me this year...originals were bent. Got these from a gentleman who didn't need them anymore...price was too low to pass up...quiite a bargain! First set of new tires on the car in years.

I'll get the avatar set up afterwhile.
 

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Man! That is sweeeetttt! I have mine in pieces right now, getting ready to put a new frame under her.

This is my current TR6, the day after I bought her. I've since done many mods to her, from transmission, to rear end, to a modified fuel injection system. These pictures were taken a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina.

Flc3GKX.jpg

Uj5gEWQ.jpg

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RcwjBmD.jpg

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This was the Baby that took my attention from the TR6 for about 3 years, but I just sold the Mustang and have gotten my priorities straight.

W6dkx4H.jpg
 
Don't see a thing wrong with your priorities :) Nothing wrong with having both! They are both nice rides!

I know what you are saying about tearing one apart. I had the doghouse off of mine to clean it up...mud daubers nests, dirt, a real mess. Still have to do some aligning of the fenders still, but it is much cleaner than it was.
 
Oh, cool! That is a sweet little ride! Had to have been fun to fly that!

Getting ready to download Mint...will see what happens.
 
Ok, more questions. When I download the Yumi installer, it is asking for a distribution. First, will this burner be installed on the usb drive, and will it download the mint software I select in the dropdown box, or do I need to do this separately? Also, will a 32 gig stick work? I read the tutorials, but want to be sure.

One more thing...do I keep this drive FAT32, or change to NTFS?
 
Another question. I have the ISO file downloaded, but I've read where I need to verify it. Is it correct to say that I need to burn the image first? I found files that I am supposed to use to verify it, but they are just text. I copied them onto a file in Notepad, and saved them in an ISO folder. I will need some help proceeding from there. Thanks!
 
Ok, more questions. When I download the Yumi installer, it is asking for a distribution. First, will this burner be installed on the usb drive, and will it download the mint software I select in the dropdown box, or do I need to do this separately? Also, will a 32 gig stick work? I read the tutorials, but want to be sure.

One more thing...do I keep this drive FAT32, or change to NTFS?

Install the burner software on your computer hard drive, after all it is a Windows program. 32 Gigs should be plenty large for your stick.
 
Another question. I have the ISO file downloaded, but I've read where I need to verify it. Is it correct to say that I need to burn the image first? I found files that I am supposed to use to verify it, but they are just text. I copied them onto a file in Notepad, and saved them in an ISO folder. I will need some help proceeding from there. Thanks!

Select your version here: https://linuxmint.com/verify.php , and follow the instructions to verify the .iso. Once you have verified it is good, then burn the .iso to your thumb drive.
 
Thanks! I'll look into that this evening. Getting ready for work.
 

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