Trying linux on windows with ventoy

[tonyg_s]

Hi All,

This question is about Ventoy, and the reason I put it under "User Projects" is because it seems to be a project for me to just get started. If it should go in another forum, let me know and I'll repost.

My question is really basic. When I look at the page, not seeing the proper path. It's a me thing because it's been so long since I've played with stuff.

Anyway, I have a laptop running Win7 and I want to test some Linux distros to see how they work. Do I want the linux download or the windows download? I'm confused because they talk about testing windows distros as well, which is not what I want to do. Hoping to have at least one computer on linux by the time summer arrives.

And I'm going to be gone a lot this week, so, no reply means I haven't had time to test, not I'm ignoring anyone.

Thanks in advance.

Tony

[nan60]

If we're looking on the Ventoy download page, we want the download for the host OS. So if the laptop is running Win7, get the Windows Download. Ventoy allows you put multiple ISOs (including Windows) on one USB, so that's probably what you're seeing in regards to "windows distros". You'll install Ventoy and then copy the ISOs onto the USB partition the installer makes.

[glenn]

I destroyed a 32 Gig USB stick with Ventoy. It would no longer recognize it as a USB stick. Bummer.

--glenn

[nan60]

I destroyed a 32 Gig USB stick with Ventoy. It would no longer recognize it as a USB stick.

I've had Ventoy sort of destroy USB sticks but never permanently, I could always fix them with diskpart or something of the sort. Strange.

[glenn]

Yeah, Gparted couldn't do anything with it.

[tonyg_s]

Yeah, Gparted couldn't do anything with it.

Good to know. Um, I'll pick a stick I don't like just in case.

Tony

---

If we're looking on the Ventoy download page, we want the download for the host OS. So if the laptop is running Win7, get the Windows Download. Ventoy allows you put multiple ISOs (including Windows) on one USB, so that's probably what you're seeing in regards to "windows distros". You'll install Ventoy and then copy the ISOs onto the USB partition the installer makes.

Thanks.

I'm not looking at Windows, as the laptop is having some issues since I last applied updates. While it still works, I can plug into my network and it works fine, but it won't see my WiFi even though it used to. Other devices in the house are all fine, just not this one. And I don't think it's the laptop as I can connect to other WiFi networks. Just not mine.

My best guess is a registry entry got dorked up, and rather than try to hunt it down, I just figured time to do something different.

It's getting long in the tooth, but, I think it will work better with a different OS.

It's been a long time since I've worked with Linux, and this seems like a good opportunity to get back into it and have a little fun.

Tony

[steve]

As Christian mentioned, if you are creating the stick from Windows 7, use the Windows download of Ventoy.  I've not had any problems installing Ventoy on a USB drive.  If it is not a drive from a reputable company it could be a faulty stick.  Cheap USB sticks are notorious for not providing the reported capacity and early failure (see https://www.grc.com/validrive.htm for more info).  Often installing something to a part of the drive that does not 'exist' will 'destroy' it.  If it is just a broken install (corrupt download maybe?) it should be recoverable.

Bring you laptop to a meeting and we will help install Linux on it!

-Steve

[tonyg_s]

As Christian mentioned, if you are creating the stick from Windows 7, use the Windows download of Ventoy.  I've not had any problems installing Ventoy on a USB drive.  If it is not a drive from a reputable company it could be a faulty stick.  Cheap USB sticks are notorious for not providing the reported capacity and early failure (see https://www.grc.com/validrive.htm for more info).  Often installing something to a part of the drive that does not 'exist' will 'destroy' it.  If it is just a broken install (corrupt download maybe?) it should be recoverable.

Bring you laptop to a meeting and we will help install Linux on it!

-Steve

Thanks Steve. Unfortunately I won't be able to make the meeting this month, hoping I can get there in June.

By then I will have hopefully had so free time to play a bit and see what works and doesn't.

Tony