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Linux Mint announced the LMDE 6 “Faye” beta on September 13, 2023. The original ISO was later replaced with beta2 after a critical installer regression that could, under particular conditions, format the wrong device. The beta is a historical testing release; for a new installation, use Linux Mint’s stable release or a supported successor rather than an old beta image.
What LMDE 6 “Faye” beta was
Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) is the project’s Debian-based edition, intended to provide a Mint-like experience without using Ubuntu as its package base. LMDE 6 is based on Debian 12 “Bookworm.” Linux Mint’s September 13, 2023 announcement identified the download as a beta, not a finished stable release: Linux Mint’s LMDE 6 beta announcement.
The beta is not the current choice for a routine installation. Linux Mint published the stable LMDE 6 release on September 27, 2023. Its announcement includes stable downloads and verification files: Linux Mint’s stable LMDE 6 announcement.
Why the first beta ISO was withdrawn
After the initial images were published, Linux Mint replaced them with files labeled “beta2.” The project reported a critical installer regression that could cause the installer, under particular conditions, to format the wrong device. The warning applied to the original ISO, not to an installed operating system. Linux Mint told users who had downloaded the original image to delete it.
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- Intel Core i5-1335U Processor (12M Cache, 12 Threads, up to 4.6 GHz) - 256GB Solid State Drive - 16GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Non-Touch Anti-Glare Display - Intel UHD 620 Integrated Graphics - Stereo Speakers
- 720p HD Webcam with Privacy Shutter. Integrated Microphone - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC (2x2) 8265, Bluetooth Version 4.2
- I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C 3.1, Headphone/Mic Combo Port, 4-in-1 Card Reader, HDMI, Kensington Mini-Lock Slot
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Keyboard with Full NumberPad - Fast Charging
This is why an old beta download is a poor choice for installing a working system: the initial image was withdrawn, and a newer stable release followed shortly afterward. Do not assume an ISO found on a third-party download site is the corrected image.
Where to download and how to verify an ISO
The 2023 beta announcement linked to a 64-bit Cinnamon torrent, regional mirrors, and a 32-bit torrent. Because this is a historical beta and its original files were replaced, use Linux Mint’s official announcement and download infrastructure rather than relying on a copied or third-party ISO link. Linux Mint warns that fake ISO images can be produced and makes checking authenticity the downloader’s responsibility.
Rank #2
- Intel Core i5-10210U (up to 4.2GHz) - 1TB PCIe NVMe + 1TB HDD - 32GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 17.3" HD+ (1600x900) Display, Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Built in HD 720p Webcam with Microphone - Bluetooth Version4.2
- I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.1 (Data Only), 1x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
- Linux Mint Cinnamon 64-Bit - 6-Row Keyboard w/ Full Numberpad
- Choose the official Linux Mint announcement or download page for the release you intend to install. For a new installation, prefer the stable release or a supported successor.
- Download the ISO and its published SHA-256 sums and signed sums from Linux Mint’s official path. A checksum downloaded from an unrelated site does not establish that the ISO is authentic.
- Follow Linux Mint’s ISO verification guide to check the checksum and signed sums before writing the image to a USB flash drive.
- Write the verified ISO to a USB flash drive using an image-writing utility, then boot the target computer from that drive. Confirm the selected disk carefully before starting installation.
The beta announcement linked checksums and signed sums, but it does not establish a single beta2 checksum value in the information presented here. Do not treat an unverified checksum copied elsewhere as authoritative; obtain the release’s checksum files from Linux Mint’s official download path.
Published system requirements
Linux Mint’s 2023 requirements for LMDE 6 were:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB for comfortable use |
| Disk space | 20GB | 100GB |
| Display resolution | 1024×768 | Not stated |
These are the published requirements, not a guarantee that every application or workload will run smoothly at the minimum. The project did not specify a recommended display resolution in the requirements listed for this release.
Rank #3
- Intel Quad Core i7-8565U Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz) - 1TB NVMe-PCIe Solid State Drive (SSD) -32GB DDR4 RAM
- 13.3” FHD (1920x1080) IPS, Anti-Glare Non-touch Display - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 With Bluetooth 5.0 - Intel UHD Graphics
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Dolby Audio with Harman Speakers - Best-in-class 6-row backlit keyboard - Full Aluminum Body (in Mineral Gray)
- Integrated 720p HD Webcam with dual array noise-cancelling microphones with ThinkShutter Camera Privacy Feature - I/O: 2x USB 3.1 Ports (one always on), 1x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen2 (Supports Audio, Video and Data Transfer), Headphone/Mic Combo Jack, HDMI 1.4b
- Enhanced Security Features include: Hardware & Software Trusted Platform Module ( dTPM 2.0) Security Chip - Lightweight at 2.95 lbs and 16mm Thin so it is Easy to Slip Under Your Arm or Into Your Backpack
Beta-to-stable upgrade path
Linux Mint’s September 27, 2023 stable announcement said beta users did not need to reinstall to move to stable LMDE 6. That guidance applied to users moving from the LMDE 6 beta to the corresponding stable release. Consult the stable announcement for its official update information and download links; do not assume the same path applies to a different release or to an installation that has since changed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Documented beta-release issues and workarounds
The release notes covered several installation and usage details. These notes are useful context for understanding the beta, but they are not a reason to choose it over the stable release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Live Boot: Simply plug the USB drive into your computer, select the USB drive as your boot device, and experience Linux Mint without installation. This allows you to test the OS and its features before making any changes to your system.
- Install Option: Once you've tested and decided to keep Linux Mint, you can easily install it on your computer directly from the USB drive.
- Pre-installed software like LibreOffice for office tasks, a capable web browser (Firefox), email client (Thunderbird), and multimedia tools. This minimizes the need for additional downloads, saving you time and effort.
- Resource Efficiency: Designed to run efficiently on a variety of hardware configurations. It demands fewer system resources compared to some other operating systems, making it an excellent choice for older computers or devices with limited hardware specifications.
- Compatible with PC/Laptop/Desktop brands - Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, Toshiba & more. Minimum system requirements 4 GB RAM Dual-Core Processor (2 GHz) 20 GB of free disk space
Rank #4
- Intel Core i7-1065G7 (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz) - 1TB Hard Disk Drive - 20GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 15.6" HD Non-Touch Display - Intel UHD 620 Integrated Graphics - Stereo Speakers
- Built in HD 720p Webcam with Microphone - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC (2x2) 8265, Bluetooth Version 4.1
- I/O Ports: 1x USB 2.0 / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 / 1x HDMI 1.4b / 1x Card reader / 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm) / 1x Power connector
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Keyboard with Full NumberPad
- Installer expert mode: The release notes document launching expert mode with
sudo live-installer-expert-mode. - Partitioning and LVM: Manual partitioning and LVM had caveats documented in the release notes; users choosing those layouts should consult the notes rather than assume every configuration behaves like the standard automatic installation.
- Swap and root account: The notes mention automatic swap mounting and a locked root account.
- VirtualBox: The release notes provide steps for installing VirtualBox Guest Additions.
- DVD playback: For VLC DVD playback, the notes point to the device path
/dev/sr0. - Small-resolution displays: If a window cannot be moved normally at low resolution, hold ALT while dragging it.
- 32-bit hardware: The notes distinguish non-PAE and PAE kernel instructions. Check the release notes for the applicable path before attempting to install on 32-bit hardware.
- Live-session login: The live-session username is
mint; the password is empty.
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