Possibly switching to linux... noob questions.

Yes thinkpad laptops do have more than one partition.
I have no idea where I installed grub... I inserted the USB, booted in Linux and selected Install and override windows on Thinkpadx120e and I selected option install linux alongside Windows on thinkpadx230. In both cases grub did not load linux. 120e shows that it has no operating system while 230 boots straight into Windows 8.

That's true. But I had a choice between spending $10 on a set of DVDs that Im not gonna use ever again or $10 to support an open source community. I decided for the latter.

Im really enjoying Cinamon, I hope I can get it working, including the trackpoint acceleration which will be another issue for later. One step at a time.

 

Cinnamon is now a shell running atop GNOME 3. The eventual intention is drop GNOME altogether and make it into an independent desktop environment. Everything has been forked from the GNOME project already so this would be the final logical step.

 

Just 2 question how did you make your pen drive linux bootable

and did you remove pendrive before booting form hdd


what i am getting from here is during time of install you are installing boot loader on usb pendrive instead of HDD i maybe wrong

althoe DVD is best choice for noob

 

Thinkpads often come with a boot partition, recovery partition and an extra partition for a recovery image besides the partition on which the Windows OS is installed.

When loading the live cd, either through USB or DVD (if the livecd runs fine on usb, there is no need to burn), use the partition manager GParted to take a look at your current partitioning setup.
Post here how this looks in your case.
Take a look at this link from fellow WSF member Mrkvonic on what to expect and what to look for.

 

Didn't he say he didn't have a CD/DVD burner?

 

I used the fellow members suggestion to make a bootable USB:
- unetbootin" http://blog.hostonnet.com/how-to-create-bootable-live-usb-ubuntu-with-unetbootin
- universal usb extractor http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/linux/3351312/how-install-ubuntu-using-usb-flash-drive/

Yes

 

Partition.............File System .....Size...........Used.............Unused..........Flags
/dev/sda1...........fat32.............94.00mb......1.56mb...........92.42mb.......boot
/dev/sda2...........ext4..............56.93GB.......4.35GB...........52.58GB
/dev/sda3...........linux-swap......2.60GB........---...................---

 

Haven't got Mint on an UEFI machine myself but is the first partition a left-over from your Windows install or does Mint make this partition during install?
If not, I'd use GParted on the livecd/usb to remove all partitions and then reinstall.
I always use a separate data partition for docs, pics, movies, music etc so when you want to reinstall Mint (or another distro), you don't have to change/remove/touch that data partition.
If you want, you can of course use ext4 or NTFS for the data partition, whatever rocks your boat. I also use a separate 'Home' partition where to store user settings, download folders, etc.
So I end up with a partition table something like this;
sda1---ext4---OS partition---/
sda2---swap---swap partition---swap
sda3---ext4---Home partition---/home
sda4---ext4/NTSF---Data partition---Data
You can choose to create partitions with GParted before installing Mint and then selecting those partition during install or use the build-in partitioning option during install.
I'd advice to use Gparted before installing, play with it, get to know it a bit, it's not like you are going to lose any important data, you'll learn and get proficient at partitioning.

Or if you want to keep stuff simple, use GParted before installing to remove all partitions and just reinstall.

 

why so complected

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu


gparted entire system and install default play with it few years and then go with other options


this method work on both linux mint and ubuntu ...............xfce(xubuntu)


but for kde base use kde startup disk

this is also correct

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

3 partitions swap home and / (root)

just make sure boot-loader is sda like shown in pictures

or like Baserk said above much better order

just make sure boot loader is in /dev/sda

Code:

sda1---ext4---OS partition---/
sda2---swap---swap partition---swap
sda3---ext4---Home partition---/home 
sda4---ext4/NTSF---Data partition---Data

 

If your Using a SSD you may want to read these tutorials for some tips!

Enable TRIM On SSD (Solid-State Drives) In Ubuntu For Better Performance

http://www.webupd8.org/2013/01/enable-trim-on-ssd-solid-state-drives.html


Install and Optimize Linux Mint on a Solid State Drive

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/293

My other Advice is while using linux, If its not Broke dont try to fix it, Dont insall random software codecs drivers or plugins unless you apsolutly need to and you know your going to use it. and you should disable the cache in your browsers so they dont constantly write to your SSD.

 

Okay I tried the method you guys advised. I deleted partitions using Gparted. Then I installed Mint and no joy. Upon restart I get the same error. Operating system not found...
Im just going to wait until I get official DVD, unless you guys have any more ideas.

 

You can use Netflix Desktop for Netflix until Netlfix switches from silverlight, i use it and it is already setup for me all I do is run it login and start watching netflix.

"Lifehacker" Netflix Finally Comes to Ubuntu in the Form of an Unofficial Desktop App

Netflix Desktop (Homepage)

http://www.compholio.com/netflix-desktop/

 

To me it sounds like your missing a step in partitioning Here is a Youtube Vid on Partitioning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KNK8OXIFyQ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWXtVkA-S6g but without the - -, looks like this forum doesnt like YT links

also Linix Mint Has its Own Forums Packed with info about installing Mint

http://forums.linuxmint.com/

 

please check this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KNK8OXIFyQ


also which mint version you installing

 

Have you tried switching UEFI boot to Legacy in the BIOS settings before installing?
Also, check the error you quoted, on the Mint forum
The 'grub-efi' package failed to install into /target/. Without the GRUB boot loader, the installed system will not boot.
Loads of replies, link, link, link (like, install Fedora )

First of all, go into your BIOS and change (U)EFI to Legacy and try to reinstall.
If you are unfamiliar with your BIOS, glance over the manual first and only change that specific option.
If that doesn't work, read the links.

 

Give Boot-Repair a try
http://sourceforge.net/p/boot-repair-cd/home/Home/
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/boot-repair-simple-tool-to-repair-frequent-boot-problems.html

Panagiotis

 

You sir just answered the million dollar question. I have finally managed to install and boot my first linux!!!

My bios configuration before:
UEFI boot [Both]
My bios configuration after:
UEFI boot [Legacy Only]

This thread can be now closed. I have more questions to ask but it warrants a new thread. They are more complicated and involves using the Terminal... ouch!
And thank you everyone again for your help. I know there is a dedicated forum for linux but I feel more comfortable asking questions here.