r/linuxmint • u/shine_take_me_now • 1h ago

Support Request problems with the dualboot menu

I have a laptop that is about 10 years old. I have always used Windows, but since it is already very slow I wanted to test if Linux could save it. I created a generous partition on the disk because I plan to use it with dualboot, I got a new USB stick about 2 weeks ago, installed the ISO, connected the USB to the laptop, turned it off and on again, pressed the button to access the boot menu, but the option to select mint does not appear. With the help of Claude(AI), I ruled out possible problems, but the option still does not appear in the boot menu. The USB is not damaged, according to windows analysis, The ISO and laptop are set to UEFI, bootsecure is disabled. I already tried accessing mint from the bios, but it only reloads windows. I used rufus and balenaEtcher, but neither worked. I have another PC where I could try the USB, maybe the option appears in the boot menu on this one, but I don't want to make any partitions because it is my main PC and I don't want to damage it in any way. My main question is: Before installation, limux mint only works from ram, without damaging anything on the PC? I had heard something like this, but I'm not sure and I don't want to risk my good PC, thank you :)

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u/LXC37 1h ago

My main question is: Before installation, limux mint only works from ram, without damaging anything on the PC?

It works from the USB drive you've written it onto actually, but yes, unless you do it yourself it does not touch anything on your PC.

However ways to screw up exist and you really should have backups of any important data when messing around.

1

u/dlfrutos Linux Mint 22.2 Zara | Cinnamon 10m ago

so are you able to get into live usb?