It is weird, and I am not sure why it works or not. I noticed it years ago and I only remembered when my attempts were frustrated this time. I wish I knew what caused it or not. Basically what happens is when you try to boot from the USB, it shows the menu and all that, but it just doesn’t proceed. Like when I used my cheap-ass USB that I got from a dollar store (they no longer sell USBs there) it stalled at the linux mint start up logo. I gave it all the time it needed, but it just froze. When I used my brand new fancy Sandisk, it only took a few seconds to move past it. I will be using THAT USB for my desktop, but I have some backups to make before doing so.

And yes, I am writing this comment from my linux mint laptop. I finally will have more privacy on my comp.

I just installed Linux mint on my laptop… and fuck me, it is easy as all hell to use. Made me wonder why the hell I took so long to do it! I’m doing some backups on my desktop in order not to lose anything important (and save time) while installing it on my PC… I intend to format my old drive as I move on. So-long Windows!

SUCCESS!

As of writing this comment, I have installed Linux Mint (cinnamon, latest version) on my laptop. I am in the process of updating stuff and figuring stuff out. I will need to make sure I can play all my games and do all the stuff I do before moving onto the big one: My ultra fancy desktop machine that I paid thousands upon thousands of dollars for.

The problem was the USB. A long time ago I had issues with my computer and I needed to reinstall windows from a USB drive. I learned that you can’t use any old USB and it has to be a decent USB. I ordered a new one (not expensive. It was very cheap, but it was a Sandisk) and it worked brilliantly. Now it is time to actually learn to use it properly!

I tried. I had a problem. It wouldn’t boot from my flash drive. I remember having a problem to similar to this previously… I might need a new flash drive…

Edit: long answer… I am actually hauling my ass to do it now.

I am going to mint.

It is taking me forever and a day to transition… but I hope this weekend I will finally install Linux mint on my laptop… get the hang of it. Then transition to using it on my big ass desktop.