Setting up Linux Mint from scratch is easy. Follow these steps to get started.
Setting up Linux Mint from scratch is easy. Follow these steps to get started.
I was trying to set up Linux Mint on my Windows 11 PC. This was my first time using Linux and I wanted to move away from Windows after many failed attempts with OneDrive. I followed online instructions and everything worked fine. I made a USB drive to start the installation and adjusted BIOS settings, which allowed it to boot into Linux. When I opened the installer on the desktop, it kept showing errors and asked me to quit. I looked up solutions and tried disabling Secure Boot and Fast Boot. Now my computer only boots via BIOS and when I change the boot sequence it says something is wrong, then it shuts off after a short time. I’m not very technical and don’t understand what’s happening. I’m a bit of a tinkerer with general knowledge but no confidence in BIOS settings. My goal is to run Linux Mint directly from the SSD without Windows anymore. I’m using a 3070 processor with an Intel chip (I can’t remember the exact model) and a 1TB SSD with an MSI motherboard. I have 32GB of RAM. P.S. I think this problem might be my own, but I hope more people would consider switching if Windows gets too frustrating. Fingers crossed it works better next time. Edited May 4, 2025 by DirtyBirdX typo
Secure boot poses challenges with Linux despite modern distributions supporting it. It’s advisable to disable it unless necessary for security. It would have been helpful to know the specific error message. Keeping secure disabled should have resolved the issue on Linux Mint. Please avoid navigating through the boot menu and selecting a USB drive to start.
I disabled secure boot and fast boot, then reconfigured it. The error messages you received indicate issues with the boot process. It seems something is seriously wrong—important files are missing or not found. You attempted to boot from it but it no longer works properly. Other than accessing the BIOS, nothing else appears functional. Your current setup may be unstable, and any changes to boot drive order could affect stability. If this impacts your system, consider resetting the boot sequence to the correct configuration.
Are you setting up Linux on a fresh hard drive, swapping out the existing system, or using dual boot? If you have more than one physical storage device, it's usually safest to clear them out so the installation targets the right one. If not, double-check that you're installing on the correct drive—errors can repeat for others. Before starting, enter BIOS and disable secure boot if needed, since some Linux releases don’t support it. When dual booting, the installer should automatically locate the proper drive, assess available space, and handle the process without further input. You still retain control to adjust settings as you see fit, though most changes are unnecessary. Just follow the on-screen prompts and enjoy a coffee while the setup completes. If online, updates will download automatically. Some installations may require a reboot; if not, wait until you restart. When you power off, remove the USB stick—it might get stuck in BIOS. If it remains unresponsive, extract the stick, restart, and try again using the correct key sequence. If that doesn’t work, reinstall from a fresh ISO by replacing the stick and following the instructions carefully.
I finally resolved the issue by deleting the CMOS and rebuilding everything from the ground up. I’m still trying to understand what exactly broke the system, but it’s now working smoothly. It was a steep learning process, which explains why many people avoid Linux despite its current popularity. The experience wasn’t easy—simple tasks feel more like work, especially when figuring out how to place frequently used apps in the start menu. I plan to keep going and dive deeper into it so it becomes more natural over time.
I’ve set up Linux on more than 200 machines, supporting dual-boot configurations. It runs exclusively on both fresh drives and has only occasionally caused issues—mainly with corrupted ISO files or early wireless driver complications.
I've completed roughly half the tasks Thomas53 did but have some hands-on experience. Turn TPM OFF. What model is this desktop? I usually add a few more apps via the Software Manager—Audacious for sound, Audacity for editing audio/music files, GThumb for quick picture tweaks like cropping and adjusting contrast, B&W, etc. VLC handles video playback. Most settings changed from Celluloid to Audacious for sound, and VLC for video. On the right side of the panel or task bar, adjust the date and time display to British format—day, month, time in hours, minutes, seconds. A helpful Linux Mint discussion forum: https://forums.linuxmint.com/