Two things that one of my mates got stuck on when installing Linux recently. Thought they might help somebody out here possibly.
- "I tried writing my Distro to a bootable USB with insert gui tool here. But it either wont boot, or is failing to finish making the Disk"
You might have a corrupt .iso file, but before downloading an entire Distro again try this.
Step 1. Windows + R
Step 2. cmd
Step 3. diskpart
Step 4. list disk
Step 5. Determine what disk is your desired flash drive(Remember that the flash drive will formatted/wiped) and remember what number it is referenced as.
Step 6. select disk insert disk number here
Step 7. clean
Step 8. Then you want to insert the following commands separate from each other.
- create partition primary
- select partition 1
- active
- format quick fs=fat32
- assign
- exit
Step 9. Open Windows explorer and find your .iso file that you wish to write. Right click and hit mount on the selected .iso.
Step 10. Select all of the files in the mounted folder and copy them to your flash drive.
- "I successfully installed Ubuntu for examples sake alongside windows, but my computer still boots to windows and doesn't show grub."
Assuming you have disabled secure boot the next thing to do is to re-register GRUB.
Step 1. Open an Administrator CMD window. You can do this by opening your start menu and typing cmd. you then right click the result and run as administrator.
Note that the process will look slightly different on Windows 8/Windows 8.1, but will work the same.
Step 2. Once again assuming that most beginners will be using Ubuntu or Mint. writing out the following command word for word. bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi
Step 3. Once step 2 is completed you can restart your computer and if the planets are aligned GRUB should now pop up on boot :)
Remember to smash the forums if you ever get stuck.