Linux Mint Forums

i just got a mate usb stick off osdisc.com and have not the slightest clue how to use it without deleting my current OS (windows). iv'e never tried any linux ever, and just wanted to check it out on the fly. i figured i'd just pop in the usb stick and it would start working immediately but all i see are hundreds of folders/files that look chinese to me. what the ? where do i go to simply boot it ? is linux in general only for ultra computer nerds, i've a bad feeling about this...

The manual for your machine will tell you how to boot from the flash drive. Some machines use F8, some F10, still others F12.

.....or F2

i get 4 options:

-start linux mint
-start Linux Mint (compatibility mode)
-check the integrity of the medium
-test memory

if i hit enter on any one of them, all i get is a black screen. nothing else.

whats up ?