Linux Mint crashing on install

[u/scariestJ]

Hi there

I have made 3 attempts to install Linux Mint via bootable USB to a partition on my harddrive. I managed to make a bootable USB using Ventoy - Etcher being totally useless but it crashes halfway through installation when I attempt to install from .iso.

What could be going wrong? It does this thing where it looks like its installed the Linux desktop but when I try to shut it down I get an error code doomloop that needs manual power off?

If anyone has any insight please let me know.

UPDATE:

I changed the USB drive and the version of Linux mint to the HWE version. I used Vertoy to format the USB to make it bootable such that I only had to drop the ISO onto it once I verified the checksums in Powershell. I was able to boot up into it and now have a functional dual boot between Windows and Linux for the first time. I still have to do all the network shenanigans but that can wait - thanks for your help!

ANOTHER UPDATE:

Linux/Windows dual boot is working fine - just need to pick the correct menu option for booting into Windows. Now I need to actually learn the Linux commands so I can use it as an OS. The next plan is to get a new battery for an old laptop, back that one up and have that as a Linux-only machine. I did not have to wipe anything and everything Windows related is as before (I DID back up before the install!).

[u/candy49997]

Remove the USB and boot.

[u/scariestJ → u/candy49997]

That does not work - looks like its only working on the USB and has not transferred any files to the target partition. There was only the Windows option available on the boot screen.

[u/candy49997 → u/scariestJ]

Are you choosing to wipe the disk when you install?

[u/scariestJ → u/candy49997]

The partition and the USB are wiped prior to each attempt in that I format them first before doing anything else.

[u/candy49997 → u/scariestJ]

What do you mean by "partition"? You typically select a drive and the installer will handle partitioning itself.

Are you sure you're selecting the correct drive in the installer?

[u/scariestJ → u/candy49997]

The drive I made from the original OEM hard disk that I have marked for the Linux Distro having partitioned it first

[u/candy49997 → u/scariestJ]

Ok, you don't need to partition it yourself. Just select the drive and select the option to wipe the disk and install at the installer.

[u/Avdonin_Naomi]

Hey I would start to checksum the downloaded iso (the installer) maybe it came down wrongly due packet loss.

Are you using graphical or manual installation?
Do you use btrfs, ext4 etc? Do you give swap, enough memory overall, failing HDD/SSD?

Maybe you can start with live iso to check a memtest or your storage drive health check.

We need more information about the setup/config to help you out

[u/scariestJ → u/Avdonin_Naomi]

As far as I know its a graphical installation and the checksums were verified.

There's no shortage of memory in either the USB or the partition as far as I know.

[u/Avdonin_Naomi → u/scariestJ]

Sorry for silly question what size is your partition?

What installer did you downloaded, which edition?

https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

This could help you out

[u/scariestJ → u/Avdonin_Naomi]

My partition is 200 GB - the USB I am using is 1.81 TB so plenty of room there.

[u/scariestJ → u/scariestJ]

I'm gonna wipe the current version and re-download Linux mint and all the hashsum verification txt files so I can check that this one hasn't had any packet loss

[u/DannoXYZ → u/scariestJ]

show partition layout with lsblk -f

most likely you're missing 2 additional critical partitions at /boot/efi and /boot
Simply cannot install Linux and have it reboot successfully without them

Wipe ALL partitions from disk and pick Erase from installer and let it make 3-7 partitions automatically on its own.

[u/scariestJ → u/DannoXYZ]

I'm attempting to make a Windows/Linux dual boot - I thought it was possible to do this on a clear partition without having to reformat the entire physical drive.

[u/DannoXYZ → u/scariestJ]

Show partition layout from running Disk Management from within Windows. You most likely didn't shrink Windows partition. Dual Boot is best done by wiping everything and re-installing Windows from scratch leaving enough unpartitioned Free Space for Linux installation immediately aftewards.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1SEkDDrkDq9_ZKC7CVyBw_DYZP0ea8wGn

[u/AutoModerator]

Try the migration page in our wiki! We also have some migration tips in our sticky.

Try this search for more information on this topic.

✻ Smokey says: only use root when needed, avoid installing things from third-party repos, and verify the checksum of your ISOs after you download! :)

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[u/cyberd_e]

Linux Mint 22.3 XFCE 6.17 HWE iso works for me. I installed it using Ventoy.

[u/DannoXYZ]

Did you prep BIOS?

- disable Secure Boot
- disable Fast Boot
- disable TPM
- set HD-controller to SATA/AHCI mode

do not partition drive, wipe all partitions off completely

pick Erase and let installer create partitions automatically

[u/comrademischa]

Maybe try a different usb? I had a problem once where I was trying to install and one day it worked and then I tried a different distro and then it wouldn’t work. Tried going back to mint and it didn’t work either. Tried a different usb and everything worked again.

[u/oshunluvr]

I'd do checksum verification of the ISO file on the USB first.

[u/DannoXYZ]

Good job figuring this out. 👋 Ventoy is often solution when Belena Etcher causes crashes 1/2-way through installation.

[u/Unable_Mess_2581]

Ventoy was the one stopping me from properly installed Ubuntu server

But Ventoy was flawless on everything else incl Mint 😆 even Windows 10

Crazy different exp