I need to input a valid password to get back into the desktop but I do not remember giving a password and there seems no method of re-setting.
It now seems to be workable and a bit slower than MSN but not by a great deal. The keys seemed to work fine and the internet with an ethernet connection seemed OK. I imagine it will take much longer to boot up properly but when up and running seems ok.
There is my name and the name of the machine for some reason in the top left hand corner. On the right there is the correct time, an on/off switch, gb (presumably great britain) for keyboard setting and an Accessibility logo and the desktop is smart.
I do not know what the word “safe” means in this context and nor do I properly understand the need for strict anonymity in all communication.
Somebody, somewhere must have registered me somewhere and now know my details as my name is on the computer?
My broad assumption is that user names and passwords on that machine will now not be stored and that I will have to keep a record rather than have MSN keep one for me.
My broad assumption also is that activity on it will not automatically default to a Google or MSN account for storage, meaning that nobody will have any record?
Hi TC.
I am a bit overwhelmed now. From your post #18 it looks like you intend to re-install Mint. If so then you are right in saying that when asked to reboot the PC you must remove the USB before doing so. The PC will then boot from the installed Mint. You don’t need to use the USB device ever again on that machine to run Mint (except to fix any problems, as Rich says).
From your post #19:
One of the issues I face is that the tab keys on the Equium do not seem to work so that the blue Unetbootin panel which first appears giving me a number of options cannot be navigated so the computer just goes into default rather than gives me the option of choosing.I never use the tab key when using Unetbootin - I always use the mouse to highlight the appropriate box.
From your post #20:
I need to input a valid password to get back into the desktop but I do not remember giving a password and there seems no method of re-setting.It’s usual that the installation process asks you to provide a password for security, so I guess you must have entered one (or just pressed Return).
It now seems to be workable and a bit slower than MSN but not by a great deal. The keys seemed to work fine and the internet with an ethernet connection seemed OK. I imagine it will take much longer to boot up properly but when up and running seems ok.Do you mean that you can access applications like office s/w and and the internet? If so, then the system is working.
I do not know what the word "safe" means in this context and nor do I properly understand the need for strict anonymity in all communication.Where and when do you see the word "safe" and in what context?
Somebody, somewhere must have registered me somewhere and now know my details as my name is on the computer?No: all the details you entered on your computer exist [u]only[/u] on the PC - the information is quite safe.
My broad assumption is that user names and passwords on that machine will now not be stored and that I will have to keep a record rather than have MSN keep one for me.Names & passwords that you save (e.g. when registering on websites) will be stored in your browser application. MSN will know nothing about them.
My broad assumption also is that activity on it will not automatically default to a Google or MSN account for storage, meaning that nobody will have any record?That is correct. Google and MSN only know about you when you are using their services - which I don't recommend! You can set the default search engine which might be Google at installation but I recommend using DuckDuckGo for security.
I hope this helps a bit.
keith
Keith,
Much of the confusion is caused by the fact that we cannot interface either online or in person so actual real time problems can be dealt with as they happen and as I report them on here. That is what I need, really.
In the moderation of comments on this platform, is there a time distance between me posting and you publishing what I write? If, for instance, I was to reveal my identity or yours then what would happen? What does “moderation” actually mean?
What I noted about Mint was that it carried my full name on the desktop when idle and I found that rather contradictory of the anonymity rule. Why is my full name on there?
The onscreen keyboard for Mint very strangely does not seem to include a Z. Why?
I remembered my password last night and was able to log back in.
I was able to get a You Tube stream up and running, and inputted text on Office Libre on first session and got satisfaction from the fact that I appeared to have got a redundant old machine back in use. Things like SAVING and having more than one window up at one time was desperately ponderous, slow and laboured, especially as I had Windows 10 going on another computer at the same time.
Today, however, keyboard inputting does not appear to be possible (just now, some did while others did not) so I am unable to input my password and use it.
The second session last night was slow and ponderous, indicating to me that 64-bit Mint Cinamon is, indeed, too big to work smoothly on a machine with limited RAM and processor speed.
It does appear that I am back to square one but with the vital knowledge that Linux can be installed on a USB stick and can function on an old laptop, bringing it back to life for me at no cost.
Much of the confusion is caused by the fact that we cannot interface either online or in person so actual real time problems can be dealt with as they happen and as I report them on here. That is what I need, really. In the moderation of comments on this platform, is there a time distance between me posting and you publishing what I write? If, for instance, I was to reveal my identity or yours then what would happen? What does "moderation" actually mean?Any delay between you posting and your post being displayed will be a server issue - moderators have no control over displays of posts, except a member's very first post. I'm sorry but personal interaction in real time will not happen on the Forum - a local Linux club might be your answer.
“Moderation” is simply keeping an eye on the content of posts, ensuring that Forum Rules are obeyed (bad language, advertising, etc) and weeding out scam merchants who try to join the Forum.
Revealing one’s full name on the Forum is not forbidden but is discouraged and revelation of personal details might result in being banned.
If Mint is displaying your full name then you must have entered it at some point during the installation. This is not regarded as a security issue unless you give others access to your computer.
The onscreen keyboard for Mint very strangely does not seem to include a Z. Why?I bet it does!
I remembered my password last night and was able to log back in.What can I say!!
The remainder of your post does seem to indicate some serious problems other than Mint being rather large for the machine.
It does appear that I am back to square one but with the vital knowledge that Linux can be installed on a USB stick and can function on an old laptop, bringing it back to life for me at no cost.Yes; this is a valuable function, and a skill that will prove very useful. You’ve done well.
Keith
Keith,
I am mystified by your comment on the lack of a “Z” on the Mint onscreen keyboard.
I don’t understand “I bet”.
I don’t have a Mint computer working, but I would be very surprised if the on-screen keyboard didn’t have a complete alphabet.
The Linux Mint on-screen keyboard does have a “z”, but not where you would expect. It’s on the top row, i.e. qwertz, and the “y” is bottom left where you would normally expect the “z” to be. Why on earth they’ve swapped over the “y” and “z” I’ve no idea, perhaps it’s the layout in another country? Other than that I’m baffled.
Have a look at The Ultimate Guide To Computer Keyboards Around the World (eg Croatia and Czech layouts).
and
Linux Mint: How to Change Your Keyboard Layout - Technipages
If the latter does not help, try as a search term “linux mint change keyboard layout” and you’ll find some more links.
Keith
Do I now need to delete completely all the live installs on my USB stick before going back into Unetbootin to hopefully download onto it a live bootable distro which is smaller and more manageable for an older machine with limited memory and processor speed?
I now need to boot from the USB again on the Equium to delete Mint altogether then replace it with something smaller.
1, Could I, alternatively, keep the live version on the stick to use whenever I wanted to on other, bigger machines? It’s a PNY 64GB 3.1 usb stick.
2, Could anyone recommend a suitable distro which would give me the option of surfing the 'net, writing e-mails, playing DVDs, writing documents on a word processor package which I could store on my Toshiba Equium L300-146?
3, How do I convert stored files on a Linux operating system to be transferable to a Windows system?
Do I now need to delete completely all the live installs on my USB stick before going back into Unetbootin to hopefully download onto it a live bootable distro which is smaller and more manageable for an older machine with limited memory and processor speed?You can do, but if you intend to install one of the live OSs on a newer machine you might as well keep them and buy a new USB for trying out a lighter version of Linux.
1, Could I, alternatively, keep the live version on the stick to use whenever I wanted to on other, bigger machines? It's a PNY 64GB 3.1 usb stick.As above, really.
2, Could anyone recommend a suitable distro which would give me the option of surfing the 'net, writing e-mails, playing DVDs, writing documents on a word processor package which I could store on my Toshiba Equium L300-146?All versions of Linux offer these functions, it's just a question of finding a light version (light on required resources) that you like. Other Members will offer suggestions that they favour, but you can do a web search for a list. Here's one site that looks at ten small Linux systems: https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-lightweight-linux-distro and there are plenty more that offer their own views. Antix is one that crops up here occasionally, and I like Kubuntu. There's also Linux Lite and Lubuntu.
3, How do I convert stored files on a Linux operating system to be transferable to a Windows system?No need for any conversions. From Windows version 10, Windows will read Open Document files favoured by Linux, so all your Linux-created office files should be OK on Windows, and all other file types (photos, music, videos, PDFs etc) are readable by all common operating systems.
Keith
I have downloaded Absolute Linux onto my hard drive then copied it onto a USB stick and run it through Unetbootin to make it live to try that operating system (DISTRO is that the word for operating system?) but it will not boot on my Toshiba Equium as it says
“ERROR: No configuration file found
No default or UI configuration directive found
Boot:”
What do I do now?
Hi TC,
Almost there. This what you ought to do…
Delete everything on your USB (by highlighting all the files and using Shift+Delete - that’s important) then use Unetbootin to create a live USB like this:
Click the Radio Button “Diskimage” and search for your ISO file on the hard drive.
Click on the “Drive” window down-arrow and select your USB stick.
Click on “OK” and await your new live USB!
Keith