Yes, @Tacodogg helped me with the bios issue I was encountering earlier today, Many thanks to you all for getting me to this point. The multimedia codecs did not get installed but can’t recall about the secure boot. I was able to sign in to Linux so think all is good for now. Will need to get familiar with it and learn how to get a few apps installed but feel encouraged to be at this stage ( thanks to you all:clap:
Enjoybyour evening.
Good job!!!
Remember, if you have any issues with secure boot they can be fixed.
Look for you “software manager” and you will find a LOT of programs that can be installed using the software manager. That is the easiest way for you right now. Later using the command line to install what you want is usually quicker.
1 Like
Wonderful, thanks! I am currently updating/ downloading package files as recommended in the top 10 tips on the Linux mint forum. Once that is done I will work on adding a few items needed.
Feels like progress 
yay!
Hi there, decided to cancel the updates as it showed it could take as long as nine hours? These updates are suggested (10 things to do first in Linux mint cinnamon) when you go to the forum in the Linux mint. Says to install updates, there are quite a lot of them and wonder what your opinion is whether this is necessary or not? Or just certain ones? Or will I be fine without them? Thanks! Have a wonderful day
Do you have a port on your laptop for an ethernet cable?
Yes, I just discovered that I do.
Ok. Try plugging into the router. That should increase your internet speed.
OK, confirming I should install ALL of the updates?
All of the system updates. You can choose which app updates you want to install.
Great, thanks for the confirmation👍 Have a blessed day
1 Like
Sorry it took so long to respond. My phone was acting up.
1 Like
You too! 
I am putting this in because I have to type 20 characters.
1 Like
Yes, I have run into that also with the 20 character thing. No problem, I understand about the phone thing where I live we get frequent dropped calls and Internet on/off/ slow🥴 so it’s just some thing I’m learning to live with. Thank you for all your help I really appreciate it. This is such a fabulous group and I know working with someone that is so techy challenged is probably not easy for you all but thanks for your patience
2 Likes
Hi everyone. Looks like this party is about over. On HP…start smackin that f-9 key right after pressing the power button. That’s boot menu.
1 Like
Hello, Newbie here. Not sure if it was appropriate to add onto the same topic since there are similarities. I have a newer 2021 HP Pavillion with Window 11 and want to convert it to Linux. However, there is nothing saved in it, as I purchased it as a back-up for remote work that I do, in case my MacBook Pro expired and I figured I have nothing to lose to practice on it. It’s not important to me to save Windows 11 and some of the other posts here that discussed keeping the Windows and splitting the hard drive (not sure if am representing that right). But I don’t necessarily need to do that and can part with whatever is on the HP to start over with Linux, especially if Mint offers a similar OTS Windows-like system. I am feeling brave and ready to learn after having already converted a pixel GoogleOS phone to GrapheneOS successfully thanks to Jeff.pro. I tried to post a question today on the Telegram chat, but someone in admin must have banned me sometime in the past couple of years of being on there (I have never communicated on there before as I am new to all of this, but I have been reading a lot of the posts in order to learn and get brave to take the next steps to free myself from Big Brother). I am now ready for FOSS/Linux. Posting here instead: How do I go about removing Windows from my 2021 HP Pavillion to take the next step and install Linux Mint (seems like a good beginners platform)? Thanks for your help in advance!
You should certainly start your own thread to make getting through it easier as this one has over 130 messages in it, as well as bookmarking.
The first step, if you have a USB thumb drive available at least 8GB, is to download the Linux Mint ISO from there website.
You will also need a program such as Balena Etcher or Rufus to create a bootable thumb drive using the downloaded ISO.
Next you will need to know how to boot from that USB, this is usually info that can be obtained with a quick search and the model of your laptop. Typical things can very from model and manufacturer but the consist of either ESC, F2, F9, F10, F12 or sometimes even just the ENTER key.
These do one of 2 things, bring you to the BIOS or bring up a boot menu. The boot menu is just a temporary option to be able to “test drive” your selection with your hardware before you actually install. I suggest using wired Ethernet if at all possible but this is not a necessity.
You may also need to disable “Secure Boot” which is in the BIOS prior to an actual install.
If you cannot get back in to JP Chat by rejoining, you can jump over to a smaller channel that many of hang out in as well called Bones Tech Garage and Bones Tech Garage Chat. JPs is a good channel, but it’s “big” and gets off topic a lot which makes it hard to follow.
My username is the same there as it is here.
2 Likes
Thank you. I wasn’t sure whether to start a new thread or tag on to one that was similar. I can use my other computer to go back and forth here and I will check the other site you mentioned. In the meantime I’ll pick up an 8 GB drive and find the other software you mentioned. This is all really new to me. Appreciate the help. I should have time to work on some of this tomorrow. 
I did it!!! 1a this morning I had a little celebration. I successfully downloaded Etcher and flashed Linux Mint Cinnamon on a thumb drive and then installed it to a 2019 HP Pavillion that I completely wiped the Windows OS off of. I am so excited!!! Excited to keep learning! Thank you @MrDeplorableUSA !!
2 Likes