Making bootable linux installation media

In this post I will write about how you can install linux(learn about linux from here) on your pc.Some points that should be kept in mind are:

• If you are gonna use the Windows also with linux it is recommended to install Windows first and install the linux afterwards as the dual boot option.(This is because most people face grub problem if installing linux first and windows later on).
• Backup your data (just to be on the safer side) and know the exact partition size and drive letter in which your windows is installed.

The prerequisites for making a bootable USB for linux are :

1. The installation media (USB ) .
2. The bootable ISO file(You can download ubuntu from here.Just select the bit size then click on download.On the next page select Not now take me to the download.For MINT click here).
3. The software to make the bootable USB.I recommend using Universal USB installer(UUI).         Download from here

We are all set to make the bootable linux installation media.Lets start.

1. Open the Universal Usb installer .exe file that you downloaded.
2. Click on I agree.
3. Select the version of linux which you wish to install.
4. Browse to the iso file that you downloaded 
5. Select the drive letter of the USB which you want to make bootable.
6. Then click on Create .The process may take 5-20 minutes depending on the type of USB you have.
   

Thats all ,you have a bootable media..Now insert the bootable USB  and restart the pc and press the F8 or ,Delete  or F2 key(depending on your bios) to open the boot device menu and select USB  and follow the steps that come.

Read More

How to make a bootable USB or DVD in less than half an hour

Its quite easy to make a bootable USB or DVD.The prerequisites for making a bootable media(USB or DVD) is:

1. A USB (size>4GB) or a DVD depending on what you want to use as the installation media.
2. A bootable ISO image file (Download it from torrent or www.getintopc.com).
3. The software to burn ISO to USB or DVD.I recommend using UltraIso as it is quite easy to use.                                                                                                                         

If you have all the above stuff then we are good to go-

• First of all open the iso file with UltraIso.If it is not the default program Right click on file and use Open With and select UltraIso as the chosen option.

• Then click on the bootable menu.

• Click on Write Disk Image  option.

• A dropdown menu will open.Select your desired drive letter the DVD drive or USB drive form the Disk Drive option.(Make sure your DVD or USB is empty otherwise all the data might be lost).

• In the write method select USB-HDD as the chosen option.

• Click on Format and it will open the format dialog box

• Then click on Write .For writing Windows 7,8.1 or 10 it may take 20 minutes for a standard USB 2.0 pen drive and about 6 minutes for USB 3.0 pen drive. 

• Wait till the Burn succesful message is displayed.

Thats all you have a bootable media.Restart your PC .Now insert the bootable USB or DVD and restart the pc and press the F8 or ,Delete  or F2 key(depending on your bios) to open the boot device menu and select USB if you chose the USB option or DVD drive if you chose DVD in the  boot device selection menu.

Read More

Windows 10 Full Guide - How to upgrade your PC?

I have mentioned in the earlier post that you should go for windows 10. Here is how you should go  about to make it possible.First of all For original windows 8.1 users-

• Its best to use windows 10 reservation app.Reserve your Windows 10 and it will automatically be downloaded when you are connected to the internet.You can see the progress by opening Windows update in control panel or search menu.(You can also see if your update is downloading or not by the presence of $Windows.~BT folderin your C: drive).When downloaded it will automatically prompt to begin installation.

• If you failed to upgrade through the reservation app then use the Windows media creation tool Windows .Media creation Tool.  

Using Windows media creation tool-

1. First of all you must know the version of Windows you have(32 bit or 64 bit).To check this open File explorer or This PC.Then right click and open properties
2. 
   
   
3. 
   
4. Download the requisite Tool according to 64 or 32 bit by clicking on the appropriate Download Tool now button.
5. Once downloaded open it and go for Upgrade This Pc Now and follow the  steps.It will download the updates and install them and ask you to restart the pc.(Save your work before starting the Media creation tool).
6. It will update the drivers and optimize apps and programs for use in Windows 10.
7. This step is time consuming .It can take 1hr for some and might take 4-5 hours for others.
8. Once completed you are ready to go on a new adventure of Windows 10.

If you are using pirated copy of windows 8.1  use Upgrade this pc now option as mentioned above  if it is not working go for Create installation disc for another pc in the media creation tool.

In creating installation disc for another pc you can use windows 10 as dual boot with your previous windows by choosing custom or you can choose  upgrade so as you get your settings and programs of previous version (But you will have to download and update the drivers .)

For Creating installation disc for another pc- 

-Use download the ISO file option so that you can use it again in other pcs.

-Use the USB option if you want to make a bootable USB directly and just click on setup.exe file from USB.

• For Windows 7 users my experience tells that dont go for Upgrade your PC, now but instead use the Create installation disc for another pc and then use ISO or USB according to your requirement .Now if you chose the ISO option ,it wil give you an option to open DVD burner then insert your dvd and click on burn (your bootable disc is ready)If you want to make a bootable USB  (How to make a bootable USB)

Now insert the bootable USB or DVD and restart the pc and press the F8 or ,Delete  or F2 key (depending on your bios) to open the boot device menu and select USB if you chose the USB option or DVD drive if you chose DVD in the  boot device selection menu. 

(Another method to download the ISO just search on torrents or goto http://www.getintopc.com/ and search your requisite  build and download the ISO and make the bootable drive as mentioned above.)

Read More

Should I upgrade to Windows 10? The answer is here..

Yes the latest version of windows is here .Windows 10 is simply one of the best Microsoft(MS) has delivered in the past few years.Its the successor to Windows 8.1(not windows 9 which i guess Microsoft people forgot the maths) .It was officialy launched on 29th July and it has witnessed quite a good response till now.According to a report from BGR, the number has just pushed past the 27 million mark.

Its definitely much better than windows 8.1 which was Microsoft's vague attempt to have a common touch and pc interface with the company failing to please most of the pc users.Here are the various reasons why you should go go for the upgrade:

• Much better interface for non touch users.A simple and concise start menu layout reminds one of Windows 7(the most popular  OS presently ).

• Touch users can utilize the tablet mode to get the windows 8.1 like touch friendly interface.

• The Edge browser ,Microsoft's response to Chrome and Firefox is very user friendly.Gives you better appearance quality and is quite responsive then the traditional IE .Internet explorer is also provided in the Edge browser more actions menu.

• The ability to have multiple desktops (copying from linux and mac) is a new feature in the windows family.
• A much better and easier way to switch between tabs and desktops using Win+tab key.

• Your personal voice assistant Cortana(this is a clumsy feature since for the desktop users one has to attach extra microphone and the response with inbuilt microphone of laptop is not the finest).So microphone is also a requirement if you want to make most of the Cortana.But still it makes Windows 10 more happening.

• It also boots much faster than windows 7 and 8.1.
• The personalisation menu has been changed. 

• You can also use Microsoft's onedrive for the cloud storage to backup your data to the cloud.
  

Intel,Nvidia and ATI have released their latest drivers so that the users can enjoy the best graphical interface and there will be no driver issues.
Who should upgrade??
I  hated Windows 8 because of its huge start menu and used windows 7 but I am pleased with Windows 10 . Windows 10 is definitely a must for the desktop non touch users. Not only this the tablet mode in Windows 10 is more powerful than the touch interface of windows 8.1.So go for it. Read more about upgrading by clicking here.

Read More