How do I down load Linux Mint?

[I Shooter]

I down loaded Linux Mint to a DVD and I can't get it to work. What did I do wrong? The computer I am using has Windows Vista. It was my understanding that after I down loaded it I could use it on my computer to check it out before I loaded it. I click on the disk and it asks what I want to open it with. I turn off the computer and restart it with the disk in the drive, like you would if you were installing Windows, and it still won't work. I need help. I am trying to put new life in an older computer. Besides I thought was time I learned some thing about Linux.

[BC_Programmer]

What is on the disc? what file?

if the ISO file is on the disk, you burned it incorrectly- the file is an image of the disc to be burnt.

use something like imgburn to burn the image to disc.

[soybean]

Do you have computer set to look at CD-ROM as the first boot device?  If your computer is choosing hard drive as the first device to look to for an OS, it will load Windows as usual.

You can change this by accessing the BIOS settings during startup.  If you're not familiar with this procedure, this reference should help: http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm.  Or, post back with questions on doing this.

By the way, I've looked at Mint by running in Live CD mode.  It took much longer to launch than Linux Ubuntu running in Live CD mode.  So, be patient when you get this figured out  and get to the point of successfully starting Mint from the Live CD.  Once started, it will be as responsive as Ubuntu.  It just takes longer for it to initially start; at least, that was my experience with it.  But, I encourage you to proceed with this.  I think you'll find it interesting.  You might also want to try some other Linux “distro” such as Ubuntu or one of the derivatives of it, such as Kubuntu.  Actually, I'm just referring to ones I'm a bit familiar with; as you may know, there are numerous other Linux OS. 

[I Shooter]

What I did was down load the file ( Linux Mint-8.ISO) and try to use it like I would a windows DVD or CD. I down loaded the Express Burn as you said then tried to convert it to a file. I did some thing wrong because when I went to put the file back on to a DVD it said I was short 120MB of space. I know that Linux Mint isn't over 4.7 GB. So I think I made an ISO of an ISO. How do I change the Linux ISO file to a usable file using Express Burn?

[soybean]

Your download file should been about 688MB.  Was it?  And, that would fit on a CD.  Of course, DVD could be used but CD can also be used.  So, if you tried to burn the ISO to DVD and got a error message saying "short 120MB of space", you made some mistake somewhere in this whole process.

Again, do you have an ISO file of about 688MB?  If so, I would try burning again. I like the ImgBurn program that BC_Programmer mentioned.  It's freeware and works well for creating bootable discs. 

[I Shooter]

Yes the file is 688MB. How do I get it to a usable file?

[soybean]

As previously, stated, get ImgBurn and burn it.

[I Shooter]

Yes I have it. As asked before, how do you use it. I tried to use it and it didn't work. I have the program and must be using it wrong. Can you explain how to use it. I am not being rude. I don't know how to do what you are asking me to do. Please explain.

[soybean]

If you have ImgBurn installed and you right click on the .iso file you downloaded, you should see an option to "Burn using ImgBurn".  Select that and proceed.

Note: I'll be away from my computer for some hours before returning. 

[I Shooter]

Thank you much for your time. I got it I used ISO image burner. It made it much easier. I just got finished using it. It works fine now. I like Mint. I think I could use this in place of Windows.

[soybean]

I think I could use this in place of Windows.

You could, indeed, unless you need to use certain software that's available only for Microsoft Windows.

[Geek-9pm]

There are a number of mirror sites for Linux Mint. But in  the day many are busy. Linux Mint is really hot. Everybody must be downloading it. There is a MD5 file to  check to see if it was a good download.
I am quite sure you must burn it to a CD only.
The splash screen should come up right away.

[soybean]

I am quite sure you must burn it to a CD only.

He's done; he has it installed.   

[Cityscape]

There are a number of mirror sites for Linux Mint. But in  the day many are busy. Linux Mint is really hot. Everybody must be downloading it.

Where do you get that info from?

[Geek-9pm]

Google "LINUX MINT MIRRORS"
Results 1 - 10 of about 5,630 for "LINUX MINT MIRRORS". (0.32 seconds)
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_helena_whatsnew.php
http://www.linuxmint.com/mirrors.php
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=163&t=39438&p=227178
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint
http://www.n97geeks.com/Site-news-and-feedback/64354-Linux-Mint-Download-Mirror.html

Just five above that look good. But I also went to many others till I found a mirror that was not busy. Either it is very popular or they have lousy mirrors.