Description

Linux Mint 8 (Helena) was released on November 28, 2009, it was preceded by version 7, and was available for desktop computers. The X64 edition was released on December 14, 2009, KDE on February 6, 2010, KDE x64 and Fluxbox on February 12, 2010, and Xfce / LXDE on March 31, 2010. The Main, Universal, Fluxbox, LXDE and X64 editions are based on Ubuntu 9.10, KDE and KDE X64 based on Kubuntu 9.10, and Xfce based on Xubuntu 9.10. 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86-64) versions are available to Linux Mint 8. Compared to previous releases, this Linux Mint version contains some new features and changes, such as Linux Kernel 2.6.31, Gnome 2.28, Xorg 7.4, Configurable menu, New Lock Screen button, Software Manager's new layout, new Upload Manager etc.

General information from Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a free and open source Linux distribution (or operating system) based on Ubuntu and Debian. The operating system is fully focused on desktop computers (instead of server), even no server version exists. Linux Mint comes with a beautiful and modern graphical user interface, which has the default Cinnamon desktop environment currently, while more desktop environments like Matte and KDE are supported, and are available in different installation ISO files. Like the Ubuntu Desktop, it was bundled with a wide range of useful software applications such as LibreOffice (Office software), Thunderbird (email client), Firefox (web browser), VLC media player, Backup tool, Media Player, etc. While more software is available through package manager.

Specification

System requirements

Minimum (for all editions):

• x86 processor.
• 512 MB of RAM.
• 5 GB of free space.
• DVD drive or USB port.

Installation instructions

Starting installer in PC (via USB)

Follow the steps given below:

1. Download the Linux Mint 8 ISO image file from the download section.
2. Install a USB bootable creation software (such as Rufus) on your Windows PC.
3. Plug in a USB flash drive (at least 8 GB of free space available) with your PC.
4. Open the USB bootable creation software, and select the ISO image file of Linux Mint 8, and start the process.
5. As soon as done, plug the bootable USB into a system where you want to install Linux Mint 8.
6. Restart the target computer.
7. Press the boot device menu key and select USB to boot first.
8. Select USB device and start the Linux Mint 8 installer.

Starting installer in VMware

1. Download the Linux Mint 8 ISO image file from the download section.
2. Launch the VMware Player, and start creating a new virtual machine.
3. Select the ISO image file of Linux Mint 8, and use the default settings for the virtual machine.
4. Start the virtual machine and go to the Linux Mint 8 installer.

Starting installer in VirtualBox

1. Download the Linux Mint 8 ISO image file from the download section.
2. Launch the Virtualbox application on your computer, and start creating a new virtual machine.
3. Select Ubuntu and use defualt settings for the virtual machine.
4. Start VM and when it asks to select the Host Drive, then select the downloaded Linux Mint 8 ISO file in step 1.

Last step

As soon as you go to the Linux Mint Live session, follow the steps given below:

• Click on the 'install' icon on the desktop.
• Select language and proceed.
• Choose your region, keyboard layout, and more
• Create a partition, or format the entire hard disk. (Warning - backup your old data from the hard disk)
• Create a user, and start the installation process.
• As soon as it's done, click the 'Restart Now' button.
• Finally, login and enjoy the Linux Mint. Do not forget to remove the installation medium from the computer (for example, USB, CD / DVD).

For more information, read the official document of Linux Mint 8.