I bought a new computer that already had Windows 8.1 installed. A grandkid borrowed it &, when returned, this computer will NOT load Windows -- no matter what I do. (Shame on me for not imaging the HD before I loaned it.) I have decided to totally get rid of Windows 8.1 and THEN convert this computer to run Linux exclusively. I have Mint Cinnamon on a USB so I want to install that. GOAL: I want to have Mint 's USB create its own partition, & then install Mint to that partition. I then want to somehow get rid of the screwed-up Windows 8.1 & everything thing else on the HD that isn't in the Mint partition. QUESTION -- What is the best way to get this job done as simply & non-technically as possible? Any & all counsel will be VERY much appreciated. Nowadays, it's nearly impossible to get in-home computer service &, because I am very much in my dotage, I no longer drive into the city.
bellgamin, Boot the Mint UFD, click through the screens until you get to the "Installation type" screen. Select "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" Should be easy from now.
From memory there were issues installing Linux on 8.1 pre-installed machines with Secure Boot enabled requiring BIOS adjustment. Not sure if this remains the case - too long ago.
During the install, it's easier if you don't select to install multi-media codecs. Then you don't have to create a MOK for Secure Boot.
Sounds VERY easy. Thanks to the nth. (Uh... "UFD'= Universal Flash Drive? ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ @Gringo95 -- Secure Boot not enabled. BIOS is undisturbed. Shazam!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ @Brian K -- Linux doesn't need secure boot, does it?? (Uh... "MOK" = Machine Owner Key?)
Once you have Mint already installed, it will run just fine with secure boot enabled. But, as others mentioned, it makes the installation more straightforward, and also less likely to produce issues, if you disable secure boot until you have Mint happily booting.
