Greetings. I'm a new Linux user and I've recently purchased a Dell XPS-13 with Ubuntu. I've since learned Mint Cinnamon distro is a much better transition platform for windows users, so I'm trying to install Mint. Dell provides some tech support but they're not really linux pros either. I tried installing it myself but have too many questions and the more I read the more questions occur. I don't want to mess anything up and I need to get this machine up and running before my windows 7 machine dies completely (race against time). Any recommendation of a profession tech support service in NYC or virtual? Pretty sure this is a really simple task for a pro.

Also, my files are on a Seagate storage device "for windows and MAC". Can this be used with Linux? Appreciate it. Thanks very much.

The next session of the New York Linux Users Group won't be until Friday, February 3rd some unknown time. But you can certainly contact them now and probably get some advice long before that.

Out of curiosity what problems are you having? Which version of the Linux Mint installer image do you have (Cinnamon?) and what method are you using to try to boot it?

Edit: if the external storage is using the NTFS format, then yes it can be read by Linux Mint.

Edit: date of meetup

I might be inclined to stick with Ubuntu until you are more comfortable with Linux in general - although I also recommend Mint Mate for ex-Windows users.
Is the original Ubuntu still usable ?. Is the Mint bootable, and are you able to connect to your network and use the liveUSB to see how things work with it ?. From Mint with the external plugged in, open a terminal and run this command. Post the output here - you can copy-paste it directly if you have the network connected.

Linux Mint has a detailed installation guide at the link below. Have you seen that? If not, you might try reviewing it to see if that answers your questions.

https://linuxmint.com/documentation.php

1 members found this post helpful.

my replies arfe below

If Linux Mint is going to be the only operating system you want to run on that computer and it is ok that the data can be lost from the hard drive, then go ahead and choose erase disk and proceed with the installation.

However, if there is data you wish to save, then stop and make your backup copies first. Once you have made the backups, AND have checked your backups to make sure they're ok, AND disconnected the backup drives from the computer, then you can try the installation again.

It's just a matter of taking things one step at a time.

(During the installation, choosing a separate /home partition is considered a very good thing because you can then reinstall without losing your home directory. It's not a replacement for a backup but will save some time if no mistakes are made.)

From the little "research" I did, I feel comfortable that mint cinnamon is a good choice. The original Ubuntu is still installed and usable and yes. I haven't completed the mint installation (see my reply to turbocapitalist) I'm not even sure if you can see replies, sorry - still learning this.[COLOR="Black][/COLOR][/COLOR]

Do you mean have I creatred a liveUSB with mint? I haven't created one yet. I'm thinking I don't need that if I'm installing mint as the only OS. I'll hold on trying an external plug in command until I finish with the mint installation but I'm thinking I won't need to try it at that point. I have this to refer back to anyway. Thank you so much.

I am following an installation guide https://linuxmint-installation-guide...t/install.html

I'm still on step 1 so I don't have data to lose. I'll select erase. All my data in on the seagate storage. How do I check that format?

UOTE=Turbocapitalist;6405492]If Linux Mint is going to be the only operating system you want to run on that computer and it is ok that the data can be lost from the hard drive, then go ahead and choose erase disk and proceed with the installation.

However, if there is data you wish to save, then stop and make your backup copies first. Once you have made the backups, AND have checked your backups to make sure they're ok, AND disconnected the backup drives from the computer, then you can try the installation again.

It's just a matter of taking things one step at a time.

(During the installation, choosing a separate /home partition is considered a very good thing because you can then reinstall without losing your home directory. It's not a replacement for a backup but will save some time if no mistakes are made.)[/QUOTE]

...got detoured into a conversation about which mirror location to select. Someone said it should be one in closest geographical proximity. Ended up picking the same one I originally chose -- not particularly close, but none were. Now I'm stuck on, well I took a screenshot and thought I could paste it but can't even see any "save as" for the screenshot. Again on this download page https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=302, I'm stuck at the Integrity and authentication block which instructed that after downloading it's my responsibility to confirm the authenticity of the ISO image.

right click >"save link as" on the sha256sum.txt and sha256sum.txt.gpg buttons to save these files locally, then follow the instructions to verify your downloaded files.
sha256sum.txt sha256sum.txt.gpg

right clicking on the downloaded did not offer a "save link as" option I click on those two buttons and I have no idea what I was looking at or whether it had any relationship to my download.

Surely someone does this professionally and can do in 5 minutes what I'm spending weeks doing. Not a productive use of time.

A checksum is a way to verify the ISO file file was downloaded without errors. The checksum in the file for the download file should match the number calculated from running the sha256sum utility. If you select the verify button to the right of the sha256sum.txt.gpg link another page will be displayed that shows instructions on how to verify the iso file. The sha256sum.txt.gpg file is to validate authenticity of the sha256sum.txt file. Did you successfully download the two files?

I am not sure what you mean by downloaded?

Open a terminal window and cd to the Downloads directory. Type in the window
cd Downloads
sha256sum -b linuxmint-21.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso

Does the number displayed match 2df322f030d8ff4633360930a92d78829d10e515d2f6975b9bdfd1c0de769aca?

...btw - I'm not suggesting or soliciting help from anyone on this platform, I'm asking what's the Geek Squad for Linux... maybe it is actually Geek Squad. I don't know.

Sorry, by continuing to post and actually asking questions I assumed you were. Also as posted that would be the NYC LUG. Good luck.

@stephife
Before you even attempt to install linux on your lappy best to try it out first in a safe manner.

Option 1:- Install an easy to use hypervisor such as Virtualbox for windows. Once it is installed then install your linux OS of choice and try it out in this newly created virtual environment.
Option 2:- Following on the above, you are now familiar with linux to attempt your first installation. Boot from a "Live USB" with the distro of your choice and see if there are hurdles with your hardware components. Make notes, research and evaluate the steps.

I personally prefer Slackware or Devuan for myself but I'd recommend to look up Arch.
See the excellent documentation here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dell_XPS_13_(9370)