I heard Mint is supposed to be the simplest distro to get started with but my experience so far (following the setup guide on the website) has been:

  • Download ISO
  • Check ISO (seemed fine)
  • Burn image… crash
  • Burn image in administrator mode
  • Boot from USB via BIOS… crash
  • Boot from USB via Bios in safe mode
  • Download multimedia codecs… crash
  • Not download multimedia codecs… also crash?

And that’s where I am presently, it runs fine off the USB albeit a bit slow, and I know its connected to the internet because I can browse lemmy on it and make annoying posts on the Linux community. I knew Linux was going to be more work than windows but this feels like a ridiculous level of effort right out of the gate, I worry that even if I somehow get it running I’ll spend 10x more time fixing it than actually using it.

  • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
    50·
    23 hours ago

    sounds like the machine has an issue like bad ram/failing hd or something… ive installed mint on hundreds of machines with random hardware and never had these issues…

    what machine did you make the stick with that crashed?

        • shyguyblue@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          17 hours ago

          I’ve never installed Mint, but I’ve had a patriot memory stick go bad, and the RMA process involved sending both sticks to Patriot. Never buying from that garbage company again…

          • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
            1·
            15 hours ago

            I have a bunch of there SSD’s and they have been working fine for a few years. Not super performant but they also have been reliable especially for the cost.

            I think computer ram is just easily damaged in shipping.

    • CheeseNoodle@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      22 hours ago

      I followed the instructions to use Etcher, etcher itself crashed but it was a pretty easy fix running it in administrator mode and apparently a known issue. Its weird because the live preview works fine. The stick was made on the same machine I’m trying to install linux on.

      • kusivittula@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        51·
        20 hours ago

        etcher sucks ass. I read about it even breaking usb sticks, I’ve had it fail the flashing too multiple times. in mint I use the preinstalled usb flashing tool, in other distros popsicle and in windows rufus.

        • CheeseNoodle@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          16·
          18 hours ago

          Reporting back, rufus fucked it up even more, laptop is now bricked. I know y’all are gonna say it has nothign to do with Linux but it was working perfectly for years right up until today when I tried to install Mint.

          (Bricked as in boots up but won’t boot to the Linux preview OR windows, possibly salvagable with a windows boot stick but currently a paperweight)

          • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
            4·
            16 hours ago

            This sounds like a hardware issue. Did you get to the installer phase? Linux don’t touch your disk until you hit install and then confirm.

      • Emotional (he/him)@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        2·
        17 hours ago

        I’ve tried Etcher many times and I feel like I’ve had issues every time, unfortunately. I don’t remember the exact issues, but I recall both having problems with writing ISOs and with booting them. I would highly recommend Rufus instead, which has been much more consistent for me.