How to install Linux Mint on Dell Alienware 17 R5 from USB

Here is How to install Linux Mint on Dell Alienware 17 R5 with both the methods Straight installation and Dual Booting with Windows and other OS.

About Dell Alienware 17 R5

  • Dell Alienware 17 R5 is a powerful gaming laptop that is powered by the Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU.
  • For memory and storage, it has 32GB DDR4-2666MHz with 256GB SSD.
  • Lastly, There is an overclocking option to increase gaming performance.

Full specifications

What is Linux Mint?

  • Linux Mint is a Linux community-driven operating system which is based on Ubuntu.
  • It is very easy to use with a modern and elegant design with full out-of-the-box support of multimedia
  • The development of Linux Mint started in 2006 with the release of Linux Mint 1.0 based on Kubuntu.
  • Linux Mint 2.0 is based on Ubuntu following its own codebase.

Advantages of Installing Linux Mint in your Dell Alienware 17 R5

  • Low memory usage
  • Many Useful features such as automatically fixing issues which is better than Ubuntu
  • Ease in installing themes
  • Faster, Lighter and sleeker experience with software
  • Plenty of applications available by default such as media Codecs and Flash

Requirements

  • Backup your Data
  • A Formatted USB drive of 6/8GB
  • Download the Linux Mint image file from the official website – https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php. There are three versions of Linux Mint: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. Recommended: Cinnamon

Create a Bootable USB

Download Rufus

Create Bootable using using Rufus in Dell Alienware 17 R5 to install Linux Mint

  1. After installing Rufus simply select the ISO file from the file manager and accept all settings when the popup window appears.
  2. Select the MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI  and If your laptop has UEFI bios then select the other two options.
  3. For the Filesystem select NTFS  option and select if your PC has UEFI bios then select FAT32.
  4. The default Cluster size option should be selected.
  5. Make sure all three options including Quick Format, Create a Bootable disk using and Create extended labels and icon files are selected.
  6. Finally, start the process and this software will automatically format and create a bootable USB flash drive.

To change the boot order to USB in Dell Alienware 17 R5

  • Turn your Dell laptop off
  • It is not necessary to change the Boot Order in your Dell Alienware 17 R5.
  • All you have to do is insert the Bootable USB drive in your Laptop and press F12 and boot it from there.

More information at Dell

Instructions to Install Linux Mint on Dell Alienware 17 R5

Linux Mint will be installed on your machine after a few steps:

1. Selecting Language

  • The First step is to select your desired language or the language you will be using in the operating system.
  • Also, Language can also be changed later.

2. Keyboard Selection and Proprietary Software

  • Choose your Keyboard Layout and Detect Keyboard Layout.
  • To ensure keys working properly you can use the text box provided below. Now the Screen will ask you to install proprietary software.
  • If you want to play media files like MP3 then you should select the option.

3. Target Installation

  • The Linux Mint installation Wizard provides many options for where to install Linux Mint. If you want to install Linux Mint in the entire hard drive then Select “Erase disk and install Linux Mint”.
  • The option will delete all your files permanently.
  • So in case you want to install Linux Mint by erasing method then make sure that you have made a complete backup of your all files.
  • The other two options are encrypting Linux Mint and Logical Volume Manager (a Linux system to manage data on the hard drive efficiently).
  • Something Else is the option to create partitions or Dual booting with Windows or any other operating system. So if you want a clean install without any complications select these options else to select something else.

4. Dual Boot Windows and Linux Mint on Dell Alienware 17 R5

  • If you have already installed Windows on your Laptop then start installing Linux Mint with Windows and if not then read the guide to install Windows on Dell Alienware 17 R5.
  • Select the “Something Else” option to create partitions on your machine and “Continue”.

1. Create Partitions

  • We have to create Root, swap, and home partitions
  • Firstly, You have to create a root partition.
  • Now Choose the free space option and click on +.
Create partitions to Dual Boot Kali Linux with Windows in Dell Alienware 17 R5
Src – Itsfoss
  • Choose the amount of space you want in your root partition (20GB or 21485MB recommended)
  • Option “Use as” should be “Ext4 file journaling system” and mount point as  “/” (Root)

Now you have to create the Swap Partition

  • Size of Swap partition Depends upon the size of the RAM and available disk space.
  • Since the RAM size of Dell Alienware 17 R5 is the 16GB size of Swap should be half the size of RAM.

Now you have to create the Home Partition

  • You should provide maximum size to the Home partition as this area is where you will keep all your files.
  • Finally, after creating all the partitions Home, Swap and Root, click on install now to continue the process of installing Linux Mint on your Dell Alienware 17 R5.

4. Select Timezone, Keyboard Layout, and Login Credentials

You have crossed all the hurdles after reaching this point. Now there are some easy steps left such as Selecting timezone, keyboard layout, and login credentials. Once the installation is completed two options will appear on the screen Continue testing live version or to restart the system. After restarting you will receive a beautiful Linux Operating system on your Screen.

Thanks for being patient and I hope the guide to install Linux Mint on Dell Alienware 17 R5 was helpful.

Welcome to Dell Alienware 17 R5 Linux Mint

Dell Alienware 17 R5 Linux Mint

Read also –

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top