Linux Mint Forums

I thought I'd give Linux Mint a go because I used Ubuntu before and had few issues with it. I downloaded the 64bit ISO today for Mate and created the disc. I've had three problems with using Mint over Ubuntu.

The first was that I already have Windows 7 installed and there seemed no method of resizing the current parition easily to install it alongside. I had to download Paragon Partition manager and create a new partition, then load the installer again for Mint. Then a new option appeared in the installer to install alongside Windows, why not before?

Secondly once selecting the alongside windows option the installer just went ahead and started copying files. Wait a minute, what's going on? I hope it's not installing a WUBI install or destroying my windows installation with this. It just did its own thing without confirmations which was really wreckless.

Lastly (current problem) is that during install it asked for a username and password. I thought I new these but it won't let me in. There is no reset password feature or other method of getting in to the OS. Consequently I can't even use Mint to try it out. These are fundamental issues which have just left me feeling frustrated and angry with the OS. I really think Linux Mint have to work with new users to establish what's easiest for them because I think many of them wouldn't persevere and just carry on with Windows.

Please could someone tell me how to get into it now?

The best I can say is that there is something DESPERATELY wrong with you installation medium.
The mint installer is EXACTLY the same as the Ubuntu installer therefore if you have used Ubuntu before then installing Mint is no different.

The first was that I already have Windows 7 installed and there seemed no method of resizing the current parition easily to install it alongside

Although I have never in my life used the 'alongside' option I can assure you that there is a slider to allocate the amount of space you want for each installation.

Secondly once selecting the alongside windows option the installer just went ahead and started copying files

Well like I already said, I have never used this option. but imho such behaviour is precisely what most newbies would want.

Lastly (current problem) is that during install it asked for a username and password

No it doesn't. It asks you to CREATE a username and password of your choosing, that is all. How are you going to log in otherwise?

This post is so perplexing that I doubt I have answered your questions, but your assumption that there is something wrong with the Mint installer is just wrong, it works exactly the same way that Ubuntu does, and has been made as simple as it is possible to make it - too simple imho.

Feedback goes here, so moving your topic.

As to the support request on how to reset your password, you can follow this guide: http://linuxers.org/howto/recover-lost-root-password. Needs to be modified a bit though.
- Follow the first section, the "From the Grub or Grub2" steps.
- Instead of adding "single" to the boot parameters, use the second option described in the guide, "init=/bin/bash".
- Instead of finally running "passwd", run "passwd username" instead. Where you replace username with your username.

Note that this will only work if you didn't encrypt your home folder. You can not change your password this way (or any way, except once successfully logged in) if you have an encrypted home folder. Doing so will make all your files inaccessible (the desired effect, you don't want anybody to be able to access your encrypted files this easily).

xenopeek wrote:Feedback goes here, so moving your topic.

As to the support request on how to reset your password, you can follow this guide: http://linuxers.org/howto/recover-lost-root-password. Needs to be modified a bit though.
- Follow the first section, the "From the Grub or Grub2" steps.
- Instead of adding "single" to the boot parameters, use the second option described in the guide, "init=/bin/bash".
- Instead of finally running "passwd", run "passwd username" instead. Where you replace username with your username.

Note that this will only work if you didn't encrypt your home folder. You can not change your password this way (or any way, except once successfully logged in) if you have an encrypted home folder. Doing so will make all your files inaccessible (the desired effect, you don't want anybody to be able to access your encrypted files this easily).

Thanks for the instructions. I didn't tell it to encrypt the home folder so I assume it isn't. I don't know why there isn't a password reset feature but I should be able to handle it myself.

I just wish there was the attitude in the Linux community of making software that your grandmother could handle. I really doubt non-technical people would handle this stuff at the moment. Why not just give everything a gui? It just makes things easier for everyone.

Here is a classic new user's experience with a Linux OS. Ubuntu in this case but I just think that some Linux devs need to get involved with real people more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltE_ekc8 ... ure=relmfu Some of you guys will probably hate me because I don't conform to the nerdy image but I don't care.

Nope as a mid sixties oldster who has successfully used Linux for years I don't hate you because you "don't conform to the nerdy image" (whatever that is) I just feel a little annoyed at getting lumped into some mystical group of computer illiterates just because of my age.
My suggestion is don't worry about the lack of easy buttons, instead learn how to use the provided tools that are already available which includes the provided tutorials, man pages, IRC chat as well as the forum. Mint has a nice helpful community that really goes out of its way for folks so hang in there. Enjoy