this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
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Linux mint or zorin OS for layman beginners who just want everything to work and focuses on stability , privacy , security ? Also what to do if I switched to mint and WiFi stopped working ? (lemmy.sdf.org)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Hey, so I just put this part up first because this is the one I urgently and importantly need answered even tho I wrote that hideous text block first (sorry English isn't my first language ).

1 So the question is I have live booted mint from a USB and everything is working like I can use internet on it , play YouTube video , the sound is working etc . But I'm afraid if I wipe windows and install mint as the main OS and the WiFi stops working I'll be fucked as I don't have a second machine except a phone to even fix it . There is no repair shop near and the ones I have to travel to go to charge very high for services and all the people I know are " just phone people" . Is it guaranteed that everything that works on a live USB will also work as the main OS ? Also is there a chance that updates could break the functionalities like WiFi, sound , rendering etc ? Cause I'm a layman and idk how to go about installing the correct kernal manually or some shit . And if its something like WiFi that got fucked I'll be extra fucked as I don't have a second device and can't even do it manually . Also as I said I can't afford servicing now . Also how do I switch back to windows lol ? I'm just running mint of the USB o don't know how to go back to windows, do I just pull the USB out ? Then what ? What are the steps on BIOS ? Shit I should've probably searched all these up before bit oh well as long as I'm making a post do feel free to answer idk if I should close my lap or not .I read a post on reddit of a guy whose WiFi stopped working after he made it his primary and he said that it worked on live USB . He was running mint too I believe, same as me with no other device .

Do try and reply to 1 (1 is the most important ) , 2 and 3 importantly and 4 you can do or not according to your free time .

2 Also what is the message on mints website talking about having to do something else for newer devices ? I now use an old thinkpad and it isn't an issue but I'm planning to do an upgrade real soon

3 Also how does the process vary with RISC-V architecture ? Is it there yet ? Any laptop to lookout for or is PC the only way ? I was thinking about switching to risc-v when upgrafing if any company manufactures components or laptop which they do fully as Foss . I am open to building a PC for RISC-V if I can buy full open source parts and if the Linux support is good .

4 I was thinking about switching to Linux for a long time cause I'm paranoid as fuck and always thought I should switch to mint as I'm a layman of all layman and recently got enough time to make it . But then I came to know of zorin OS which too seems to appease to begginers and the conseus between mint and zorin online vary a lot so thought I should just ask here as Lemmy seems to be crawling with Linux users . I mainly just want the drivers or hardware or kernal and all to just work perfectly all the time and not break after updates . I have also heard of some people having kernal issues and having to do it manually in which case I'll be fucked as I'm not savy . I mainly want good privacy and security . Zorin seem to have a paid version and I'm afraid devs will cut back on other version to promote that more and I have no plan to buy premium as i'm just getting into Linux and don't wanna make a big commitment maybe if I used it and settle on it I'll buy to support devs . Also mint is more popular and here to stay kinda shit right ? I don't care much about looking like windows or running window compatible apps and games I'll be just happy with the OS I'm choosing running all Linux shit . Also which appstore is better ? I heard mints software repo holds closed and outdated apps and don't have much idea about Zorin's . fdroid is one of the reason I grew to love android a place for all the good apps with no blobs and have everything I could ever need from galleries to browser . I would also like a that kinda app store supported distro with similar focus and policies on keeping apk updated , and building without proprietary blobs (like fennec ) and only foss .etc .

Sorry for the block of words , mistake grammer etc . English isn't my first language.

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[–] pastermil@sh.itjust.works 15 points 6 months ago

Honestly, dude.

With all the time and effort in writing this ling post, you could've installed Linux. For Linux Mint (and probably Zorin OS), everything you see on the live boot (except the OS installer) should be there on the installed system as well.

If you encountered some issue that renders your system inoperable due to that Linux installation, you can simply use the live boot, which you said works well.

[–] thayer@lemmy.ca 11 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

You've already received a ton of feedback, so I just to mention that if you ever find yourself without working WiFi, you can connect your cell phone to the computer and enable USB Tethering on the phone (Android and iOS). The computer will automatically detect this as a network connection, and use it, without the need for additional software. This works for Windows and Linux (and possibly macOS, I don't know).

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 9 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

If you have another spare USB stick you can put a Windows iso onto it (I assume you know how to do this if you have a Linux Mint usb) and so if your WiFi stops working then you can boot off of that, however, I have never had any WiFi issues on Linux personally so I don't think it's a huge issue, that's just me though. Linux Mint and Zorin OS are both pretty similar for beginners other than the look of them, so I'd just go with whichever you prefer the look of. I can't really say much about the app stores though.

[–] The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I actually don't know how to make a windows USB lol . I did mints with a help of a YouTube channel and reading a fuckton of docs, guides, discussion . I also don't have another USB but I could by a cheap one .

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Making a Windows USB should be a very similar process to making a Linux Mint one, download to ISO and flash it onto a USB stick using whatever program (I recommend https://etcher.balena.io/) and if you can get another USB stick that could be pretty good or you can always flash Windows onto your Linux Mint USB once you've installed Linux Mint. Side Note: You can also Dual Boot Linux and Windows fairly easily so you can use both OSs on the same machine.

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 3 points 6 months ago
  1. rufus is way better on windows with "debloat windows" options
  2. Keep in mind windows doesnt ship many drivers in their ISO. So use their shitty media creation tool and hope this will add the needed drivers automatically, at least when creating the media on the same machine

Otherwise, ChrisTitus' "WinUtil" has "microWin" integrated. A utility that can convert that Windows ISO to a more minimal variant and also allows to include drivers.

[–] The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Hey as long as you seem to be here can I ask if it is safe to close my lap ? I never learned how to switch back to windows lol . I should've probably learned that and now I'm stuck on mint . Is just yanking the USB out gonna solve it ? And then what to do in the BIOS ? The same step as booting into mint ? Any variation ?

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

Taking out the USB should let you boot into Windows without any BIOS configuration as Linux Mint isn't installed. When you install an Operating System, it gets put onto your internal storage from the USB, but if it hasn't been installed yet from the USB it shouldn't ever touch your Windows Install. In BIOS you can change the order that different devices boot if they are present. eg: USB drive then Hard Drive then SSD then DVD. So if you unplug the USB Drive then it should go onto the next device, the one Windows is installed on so that should boot. Unplugging the USB should be totally safe but turn the computer off first, I can answer your questions, I'm happy to help.

[–] The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Thanx a lot my guy or gal or whoever you are .

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 2 points 6 months ago

np

[–] DmMacniel@feddit.de 1 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Microsoft provides a Media Creation Tool of their website. Download and run it. It's quite self explanatory.

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 2 points 6 months ago

Ah, didn't know about this, that sounds like the way to go.

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[–] merthyr1831@lemmy.world 5 points 6 months ago

I installed mint and zorin on virtual machines (theyre easy to set up in windows with virtualbox) and then just put them fullscreen and used em like my actual computer for a bit. Very useful for learning stuff without the commitment of a proper install.

[–] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 3 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Just gonna jump in and say that those are conflicting goals. „Just work“ means stick to big tech or pay someone to make it work. Nobody else has a motivation to make it work for you.

If you want to know what works best I say for laypeople its something ubuntu based like mint, ubuntu, pop_os.

You can absolutely go nuts with security and privacy but you will have to learn tons of shot before you‘re able to get this to work so dont bother for now.

Good luck though. :)

[–] Deckweiss@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

ZorinOS actually has an option where you pay them 50$ and get a special iso which is supposed to just work.

[–] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 2 points 6 months ago

Thats pretty cool! Thanks for mentioning it.

[–] The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Really ? Do I pay them online or offline and how does it work ? Does the offer still stand if I first try to do it myself and then mess up and need someone ?

[–] Deckweiss@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Thats not what I meant.

For 50$ you get a huge iso with "everything" preinstalled and they use the money to work on that and make sure it works on lots of devices and that all the software works together.

[–] The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 6 months ago (9 children)

Wdym ? One of the reason I jumped on the Linux train is because everyone on lemmy saying nowadays Linux just works, its not like the old times , mint is now more stable than W11 etc .

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Linux might "just work" but it highly depends on what you use it for, gaming is getting better but is not going to be nearly as good as on Windows and there are some proprietary software that straight up don't work such as MS Office and the Adobe Suite. However programming is very good on Linux and general office tasks and browsing the web works completely fine.

[–] The_Dark_Knight@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I don't game much if at all and I'd be happy to switch to libreoffice .

[–] DeaDvey@lemmy.ml 3 points 6 months ago

You should probably be good then, at the moment gaming seems to be the main deterrent for Linux, and yeah Libreoffice is great and works for most people, just doesn't have some of the more specialist features for some people.

[–] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 2 points 6 months ago (5 children)

well if you take the people on lemmy at face value I‘m not sure I can help you.

Of course, linux works great and for most intends and purposes, you can run it like you can run windows.

But that doesnt mean that it’s never gonna freak out on you. Games run mostly the same, except rootkit-shitware. So yes, in a very small „standard“ configuration-lane, it works flawless.

But if you start tinkering - to go all privacy nut for example - expect to see breakage. Its still community built stuff and not for profit proprietary shit that gets designed to make you use it.

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[–] biscuitswalrus@aussie.zone 3 points 6 months ago

After installing mint, and you find a problem, just live boot mint again.

You can do a lot in live boot including mount your permanent copy even the kernel. Whatever is missing you can download put onto the installed hdd or usb storage, and then install.

Ask me how I know. Lol.

[–] HubertManne@kbin.social 2 points 6 months ago

I don't know of an easier or more beginner friendly distro than zorin.

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 1 points 6 months ago

Ubuntu LTS is likely the easiest to live with for a layperson. It's got the stability, support and it's got the biggest body of information for how to do things and solve problems as well as the most users using it who can help. Ubuntu LTS derivatives would inherit a lot of that but not all. The changes made to turn Ubuntu into Kubuntu for example invalidate any info for Ubuntu related to GNOME. And so on.

[–] lemmyvore@feddit.nl 1 points 6 months ago

Grab a bunch of ISO's from some of the more well known distros. Drop them on a removable drive and try each of them live.

Best way to do this if you have a larger drive is to install Ventoy, it lets you simply drop ISO files on it and it will make a menu and let you boot any of them.

During the live run check that everything you want works. If wifi works during live it will probably work when installed. Browse the web, play youtube, see if you can access shares on your LAN, play music, movies, check if it sees all your peripherals, run a graphics benchmark etc. This is how I landed on Manjaro a few years back when looking for a new distro.

My line of reasoning is that if a distro can do all this stuff in its live version (an has put enough care in it to make it work that well) it's a strong indicator that the actual distro will be good too.

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