Hello, apparently hanging out in Lemmy inadvertently makes you thinking about using Linux. I am planning to install Linux Mint cinnamon on an older laptop, which I want to bring to LAN Parties. From what I read I can just format my C:\ windows disk, install Linux via bootable drive and from what I understand, proton is basically included when installing steam after setting up my new Linux OS? Thanks for your comments:)
Yup! Install Steam (with your package manager!) and play. Nothing to it.
Enjoy!
Thanks! I make sure to use the package manager, even, as of now, I’m not 100% what that means but I will find out
Just as a note, I believe you still need to tick the “Enable Steam Play for all titles” in Steam settings to allow it to be used with non-verified games.
Thanks!
There is a GUI, but I prefer the terminal:
sudo apt update sudo apt install steam“Update” fetches the latest package information, and “install steam” does exactly what you think it does :)
I will probably use your approach, because the windows like gui should only help me transition. Getting to know how to use the terminal is my next step. Thanks!
Careful here. Absolutely start learning bash, but one of the points of Mint is that everything a normal user needs to do can be done through a settings gui. Don’t feel bad for reaching for the gui if you need to get something done and don’t have time right then and there to learn. Have fun!
In the program menu (“Start” menu), search for Software Manager. It’s basically an app store.
It’s called Software Manager in Mint. It’s in the start menu. It’s basically like an app store, but without the surveillance and ads. Just type steam in the search field and click install. Really couldn’t be easier.
Excellent choice of a starter distro. I hope you have fun
Since you have LAN parties in mind, be sure to check this list to know what games are (or are not) well supported by Proton under Linux.
Proton is the compatibility layer that allows Seam games developed for Windows to run under Linux. Some games, unfortunately, may have problems that cause you to be left out.
Yes, you flash the installation system onto the USB stick, boot the laptop from this USB and then it should be a simple graphical installation wizard. There are plenty of tutorials online and even if all computers can be slightly different it is basically the same scheme.
Once Steam is installed Proton is automatically downloaded for games that by default use it. Games that are not officially using Proton can have it enabled in Steam’s game properties. Most would point you to https://protondb.com, site showing what games you can suspect to work.
Yes, via your package manager install Steam. You’ll have to go into Steam settings to activate compatibility with proton if I remember well
You don’t need to worry about formatting. The installer can do that for you as part of the process. Just make sure you merge all of the existing Windows partitions into one, then let the installer partition as needed. I’m not 100% sure about the Steam question, but I think I remember reading somewhere that this is the case.
Keep in mind, Linux isn’t magic. If the hardware sucks, the hardware sucks. Games can take a lot of resources. Just make sure your old LAN party laptop can handle the games you want to play on it.
Side note: Mint Cinnamon is a perfect choice for a starter distro.
I made sure that only the OS is on C. That’s my MO since I had some bad experiences concerning windows installations (my first PC was running Windows ME)
That’s a good MO to have. I was talking about the partitions that Windows does on its own, depending on the version, of course, and the ones that the manufacturer does. For example, Lenovo has a recovery partition with a (supposedly) untouched installer for the Lenovo bloatwared OOTB Windows installation. Since you never plan on using that laptop for that version of windows again, you can just merge all partitions on that drive, and let the Mint installer use the whole drive for its purpose.
You love to see it. Linux Mint was my daily driver for a long time, it’s a great choice.
Sounds like you’ve gotten good answers about your formatting question. For the steam proton question, the answer is that yes, steam installs it automatically. You might have to mess with the proton version for specific games, so check https://www.protondb.com/ for your game if it doesn’t work immediately.
Congrats on trying out Linux! I hope you enjoy it! I’ve never used Mint myself (I don’t like ubuntu-type package management), nor the Cinnamon desktop (although I’ve heard good things), but that’s part of the beauty of linux, there’s so much to try! Mint is definitely a good starter distro, but if you find you enjoy messing around with it, you might consider a bit of distro-hopping.
Oh and one additional question, is it recommended to uninstall all programs I had under Windows, so I won’t have to deal with "ghost files "? As to use windows helping me remove installation data? I have my laptop partitioned into C and D, where in D I have all my documents plus installed programs, C is solely for the OS.
nope, don’t even format it. just plug in the usb and pick the option that wipes your drive.
That’s even easier than I imagined, thanks
no problem, good luck with mint!
Good practice is to backup your D drive, before installing to C drive.
In case something goes wrong, etc.
Assuming I’m understanding you correctly (I think I am: “ghost files” would be files of the old filesystem read and kept by the new one?) No, that’s unnecessary unless you have data you specifically want unrecoverable, in which case you’ll want a ‘file shredder’ or srm type tool to handle that. Other than that you’ll probably not be using any filesystem format Windows offers, so it also won’t be recognizing any Windows files even if such a thing would otherwise be possible.
As for your main post, you seem to have the right idea. Steam recognizes that Windows games won’t run natively on a Linux system and will either “automatically run with a compatibility tool (Steam Play)” (or something like that) or refuse to launch/install the thing until you configure it to run everything non-native with Proton by default (which is a checkbox in the normal settings menu, not anything weird or buried).
…Also sometimes it just launches Wine? At least for me? That’s kinda weird, honestly, but I set up my systems in weird ways so that may just be a me problem 😅
Simply put: I think you’ll be fine just not worrying about anything and going directly to your “boot from install/live media” step and not worrying about anything else unless there’s a problem… at which point you come yell at us and we help you fix it ;P
Thank you for your extensive answer, I feel confident now to do the “leap of faith”
I wouldn’t worry about wiping anything, files remaining on the second disk aren’t going to affect you.
Great choice. Definitely Linux Mint.
Or you could try Zorin.
You could but it often updates much later than others, and is way too white everywhere
true. but it does have a Dark Mode.
Lol I’m going through the same thing, I’m choosing the distro that helps my needs, but I’m not sure how to use the vst bridge and wine for my audio plug ins.
I don’t know whether I have gotten some settings wrong in Steam, but I have to open the Properties window of every freshly installed game, and set it to launch using Proton GE, otherwise it just defaults to nothing. So if a game doesn’t work for you, always check if it is configured to launch using at least some kind of Proton thingy.
Have a look at Linux mint: Debian edition (LMDE)
