Why So Difficult to install Zorin?

Hi Guys, I am a Newbie.
I have been wanting to Escape Windows 10 and Install Zorin to Trial in view of Converting my whole family away from the Evil OS systems.
Unfortunately this is the
6th time I have had to DL Zorin OS 64.
I DL Using an ADSL Cable.
Have DL UNetbootin.
Have changed Boot Sequence in BIOS.
Have tried Formatting 32 GIG flash drive in both NTFS and Fat 32.
I have Purchased a New Dell 64 Laptop for the Purpose of Installing Zorin.
I DO NOT want to Dual Boot I wish to use Zorin as a Stand Alone OS.
I an DL Zorin using my Other Dell Laptop a Latitude E 6400 32 BIT OS x64-based processor.
I then Copy iso to Flash Drive.......Takes Hours!!!
My New Laptop has No CD Drive only USB.
Gotta Say I am Getting a Bit Fried, why is this so difficult. The Kid on you tube makes it look so Easy.
What am I doing incorrectly, if anything, and how can I do this thing and get rid of Windows 10?
Many Thanks in Advance
Boadicea.

It seems you have troubles writing the ISO not with the install.

Have you tried etcher as described in the installation instructions here: http://zorinos.com/help/install-zorin-os/

Thank You for your response- No I haven't tried that but I shall and see if it works. Thank You!

Hi, As you have Windows 10 you will need to delete all Partitions but before you do that you need to try Zorin in 'Live Mode' from your flash/usb. You should ALWAYS format to FAT32! I would advise you to use Rufus and NOT unetbootin.

If your other machine is running Windows, use 'winmd5free' from winmd5.com to check the md5sum against what Zorin have provided to check the download has not become corrupted.

Rufus: http://rufus.akeo.ie/

winmd5free: http://winmd5.com/ - tutorial video: http://www.veoh.com/watch/v28335038JpeNGXzP

The key to the solution is in your statement of doing the install on a new Dell laptop. Any laptop that came pre-installed with Win 8 or Win 10 needs to have UEFI disabled in the the BIOS before an install of another OS will succeed. UEFI is designed to prevent the install of any other OS and seems to be working well...

Yes but there is an option on Dells at work (XPS Notebooks) which has the option to enable 'legacy' mode.

What would we do without you Swarf lol

OK so ALL of this is New to me and I am learning on the run.
Checksum and BIOS UEFI disabling I can Braille my way around....I Think!
Why can the Download be Corrupted in the First Place if I am DL from the Zorin Site?
I have DL Zorin OS Eight Times now and None of them are Bootable.
I shall now try Swarfendors Guide and see how I go.
AAAaaaaaarrrgggh!
Cranky Grrl in Oz!

Downloads can be corrupted for any number of reasons - one can be if you use a download accelerator - and sometimes breaks in the download due to high demand might cause an issue. I have had downloads for other isos 'fail' but then on selecting 're-start/resume' it has carried on where it has finished off. I use FireFox. I have never installed an .iso from usb, always a DVD and for kit that does not have one I have a now old Medion external DVD/RW drive (Medion branded LG external drive) - and even though it has two usb connections you only need the one that has two wires in to power up and use.

You could speed up your flash drive card by partitioning it to be only 8 Gb and place the .iso there, that is make sure you have 'unpacked' the iso and you are not just simply copying the .iso to the flash drive.

Hi, As you have Windows 10 you will need to delete all Partitions but before you do that you need to try Zorin in 'Live Mode' from your flash/usb. You should ALWAYS format to FAT32! I would advise you to use Rufus and NOT unetbootin.

If your other machine is running Windows, use 'winmd5free' from winmd5.com to check the md5sum against what Zorin have provided to check the download has not become corrupted.

Rufus: http://rufus.akeo.ie/

winmd5free: http://winmd5.com/ - tutorial video: http://www.veoh.com/watch/v28335038JpeNGXzP

Swarf, got an important question for you regarding this topic. What if you didn't have a windows machine and were running Linux on your computer. Is there a program like rufus that works under Linux to put the ISO onto a USB stick?

In Linux you can use gnome disk utility to write bootable live usb media.

So I was doing a little research while waiting for Swarf to confirm. Turns out, Unetbootin is supposed to be compatible with Linux. I don't just need to make the USB stick bootable, but it needs to unpack the ISO properly onto the stick. Back when I had Windows on this machine, I used the Universal USB installer app, and it worked perfectly! Right now I am going to create a Linux bootable live DVD because my notebook only has 1 extra USB 3.0 port on it. I'm pretty sure you can't boot into Linux live on a USB stick, and then in the same session, wipe the USB stick with a new install onto the same USB stick without a computer crash lol.

Hi, As you have Windows 10 you will need to delete all Partitions but before you do that you need to try Zorin in 'Live Mode' from your flash/usb. You should ALWAYS format to FAT32! I would advise you to use Rufus and NOT unetbootin.

If your other machine is running Windows, use 'winmd5free' from winmd5.com to check the md5sum against what Zorin have provided to check the download has not become corrupted.

Rufus: http://rufus.akeo.ie/

winmd5free: http://winmd5.com/ - tutorial video: http://www.veoh.com/watch/v28335038JpeNGXzP

Swarf, got an important question for you regarding this topic. What if you didn't have a windows machine and were running Linux on your computer. Is there a program like rufus that works under Linux to put the ISO onto a USB stick?

Yes, and it only works on GNU/Linux - MultiSystem - I uploaded the now defunct one from Softpedia here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8933&hilit=multisystem+multisystem.tar.gz#p43425

With Linux I just do a dd directly onto the USB
Warning: Carefully check that you really have the correct /dev/sdX as output (of)

Here's what I do:
dd bs=4M if=zorin12.iso of=/dev/sdh

The correct name I get with lsblk -f. Both commands (lsblk and dd) have to be run as root.

MultiSystem is GUI driven and you just drag and drop the isolated. I currently have numerous issues on a 32 - b stick. After you have added the isolation you can test it in qemu on the stick. I feel a video coming on!

Is it at all possible to speak in your video's? I was trying to follow along on one of your video's you posted and I just got lost in it lol. The only requirement I have is you speak in English, cause thats the only language I know LMAO!

Hi Guys, I have Given Up! I have employed a Techie to come around this morning and help.
He hasn't installed Linux before but I have all of your advice to show.
Hope it doesn't take long as he's paid by6 the Hour.
As I have said, my purpose bought Laptop is a Dell 64 bit running windows 10 (Hate it!)
I also will install Zorin on my 2 x 32 bit Dell laptops if I can sort this dl/Install Mess out.
All these other Apps that are required to assist does not make for a Simple Boot Redirect.
And assuming Newbies understand Tech Jargon or how to use assist apps can be doubly confusing.
I get the Dynamic of it all but it's Not Plug and Pray is it?
Thanks again for all of your help.
I'll let you know if I have success.
Boadicea

Hello boadicea,
I am replying a bit late but perhaps the techie could be happy to find some information (just in case). If you follow the installation guide, you are almost done.
The most important part (creating the bootable USB key), is to get sure to have downloaded the installation image without errors (reason why it is asked to check the sha256 signature of the archive before to unzip it).

If the signature is correct than you won't need to download again and again. Just unzip using 7zip and the provided password. It could take a while, you are correct. This comes from Windows part.
Ok, now when it is unzipped, you get an ISO image file that you will burn to your USB key. I have used Rufus many times on Windows (don't just copy, use the software to make it). It works slowly because of the weight of the ISO ; let it do its job if you get no error (take a coffee or go out for a walk). OF COURSE, you will have to check the option to make the USB bootable, but I am sure you already know.

Well, now that you have your bootable USB key, just plug it in, reboot and just after the Dell's logo is displayed, press F12 and choose to boot from the USB key if listed. If not, you would have to check if you don't have options (on the same screen when you choose from which device to boot from), option to choose the boot mode (UEFI on, secure boot off). If that option is available, choose it and reboot. The PC should boot from the USB key that time.

Now, you should be able to test Zorin in live mode or install it directly. If you choose to install, than you have an option to erase the content of the HD and install Zorin on it or blablabla... (the option is discribed on the installation page).

If I wanted to reply is because I already made installation on the model you have bought (and others). Good luck

Thank You so Much Zapz. will use Rufus and hopefully DL it before Techie arrives so I am Not paying for that time.
Cheers
Boadicea in Oz

Don't forget to use winmd5free from winmd5.com to check the md5sum that it matches what Zorin states:

http://winmd5.com/

Tutorial here:

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v28335038JpeNGXzP