want to upgrade to 17 BUT...

[wiab4355]

I've got a notebook dualbooting W8.1 and LM16. I installed Zorin, just to try it out, but it took over the bootloader (or something - I'm no techie) and when I deleted the partition it was on, the bootloader went as well and I couldn't boot into anything. Somebody on a forum suggested boot-repair and all went back to normal (I think, touch wood). Now I want to upgrade to Qiana but I don't want to make the same mistake and have to use boot-repair again (it wasn't exactly painless).

[Mark Phelps]

Word of caution -- if you try to replace an existing Linux version with Mint 17, the option in the installer to do that will end up erasing your ENTIRE drive! This is a known problem that is documented in the LM 17 release notes, which unfortunately, very few folks bother to take the time to read.

Instead, the safer approach is to delete any existing Linux distro and use the Something Else option of the installer to do a clean install of LM 17.

[Reorx]

If you need to boot 16 to get the data off, install Mint 17 in the unallocated space that was crated when you removed the partition that Zorin was on. The option in the installer is to install mint alongside (or side-by-side with) the other OSs on the disk...

IF you don't need to boot 16 as you already have the data, AND you want to replace 16, THEN remove the partition (with Gparted) that 16 is on. Then start the installer... If you only have one contiguous unallocated space, when you do the install, do the alongside option (assuming you don't want to do your own partition scheme)... if you want a custom partition scheme, choose something else and create your own partitions...

During the installation process, the installer will scan the disk for OSs and put them all in the Grub menu (like they were before you wiped out Grub)...

[wiab4355]

Mark - thanks for the warning

Reorx - is the sequence 1. boot off the usb live 2. use gparted to delete the lm16 partition 3. use the installer

and I should still be able to get into windows after?

[Reorx]

Yes, during the installation the install routine detects other OSs on the HD and configures the grub menu correctly. The new installation will be first on the menu. BE SURE to choose alongside or side-by-side with the other OSs when asked. Since Mint 16 will be gone before the installation, the installer should not ask if you want to replace Mint 16... if it does DO NOT choose replace anything - Mint or otherwise.

P.S.: I always recommend backing up your data before manipulating partitions... FYI...

[wiab4355]

Thanks to all - installation went swimmingly and enjoying cinnamon for the first time

[Reorx]

Thanks to all - installation went swimmingly and enjoying cinnamon for the first time

Congratulations - I'm glad all is well...

Something a bit unique with Cinnamon is "spices"... applets, themes, desklets, & extensions... They can be found in System Settings but you can also visit the Cinnamon website here > http://cinnamon.linuxmint.com/ for quick overview...

Good luck and, as always, enjoy the Mint!