Install another distro over Mint

[kendall.a]

Maybe I should start a new thread with this question, but it does pertain to Mint....

I've been thinking about trying out other Linux distro's; like Puppy Linux, but I currently have a dual-boot with Mint 10. I'd like to use something different than Mint 10, but I'm not sure how to install a different distro in place of Mint?

The laptop that I have Mint on is ancient. It has no video card and I think has 1 GB of ram. What distro would you recommend for a bare bones laptop?

Back to my original question, how do I install a different distro to replace my Mint 10?

[wdhpr]

Just install right over your mint 10 partition.
As far as Puppy goes, you can make it as a bootable USB stick in persistent mode (writes changes back to your USB drive) and then use it on any computer that has the ability to boot off a USB drive. (not all do)
Look here it will also show you how to test if your computer can boot from a USB drive.

Cheers

[kendall.a]

Couple questions wdphr--
one, what size flash drive is minimum?
two, do you have to download the iso in order to install it on the flash drive?
three, when you say install over your mint partition, do you mean to run the installation and install in the same partition as mint?

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by kendall

Couple questions wdphr--
one, what size flash drive is minimum?
two, do you have to download the iso in order to install it on the flash drive?
three, when you say install over your mint partition, do you mean to run the installation and install in the same partition as mint?

It might be good to have a 1,2,3 guide for this posted here because I always get confused when switching to advanced partitioning during install. I managed PCLinux OK because I found a PDF guide for it. Kororaa actually offers to "replace your existing Linux installation" which is dead easy, but not usual for installers.

[wdhpr]

Originally Posted by kendall

Couple questions wdphr--
one, what size flash drive is minimum?

I run puppy on a 1 gig USB drive. (in persistent mode) I still have more than 250 mb left. I mostly use puppy to help friends access their C drive or I just use it to show off Linux.

Originally Posted by kendall

two, do you have to download the iso in order to install it on the flash drive?

I burned the image to a CD then used it to set up my USB drive. Read here for more info.

Originally Posted by kendall

three, when you say install over your mint partition, do you mean to run the installation and install in the same partition as mint?

Yes.... that is if your going to replace Mint. (If not you will need to create a new partition and new swap file partition) During the install you can select which partition to install the linux distro. In my case I just used the same partition as my old linux distro.

[garth]

Originally Posted by wdhpr

I run puppy on a 1 gig USB drive.

I'll be trying that later on today as i continue my Linux adventure

[Anupam]

I have moved Kendall's post, and the replies to it in this new thread, because although, it seems related to Mint, but the basic question is of installing a Linux distro over existing one. Also, the topic is deviating from Linux Mint, and going to other distros, from the original topic of Mint, on which this was first posted.

[wdhpr]

Originally Posted by MidnightCowboy

It might be good to have a 1,2,3 guide for this posted here because I always get confused when switching to advanced partitioning during install. I managed PCLinux OK because I found a PDF guide for it. Kororaa actually offers to "replace your existing Linux installation" which is dead easy, but not usual for installers.

I hope these pics will help.
I used Virtual Box for this demonstration I chose Mint as my install over Ubuntu. Even though I used VB it should help guide people through the process.

[MidnightCowboy]

Thanks. I might have a go at this later

[kendall.a]

Me, as well. Any recommendations for a relative Linux newbie (been using Mint some over the past 6 months or so) on an old laptop? I'm thinking Puppy.