Can I use an SD Card instead of a USB stick

Sure, SD card readers attach to the USB bus so they are the same

Of course you can, you could even use your camera to plug the SD card to the pc if you dont have a card reader :-)

cheers.

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.

... Actually you both answered the question ... so you both get a biscuit! Thanksfor the lightning responses!!

I'll no doubt be back with more questions - should I get stuck ... I better warn you that I am a serious non-techno ... but I can paint a pretty mean picture ...

Thanks again.
Ablot

Tasty biscuits
=D

OK ... I have now downloaded the ISO ... I have my SDCard ... do I simply copy the ISO onto the card?

No, use this in windows:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/downloads/Universal-USB-Installer/Universal-USB-Installer-1.8.1.2.exe

Make sure you MD5 test the ISO first:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

Thanks actionparsnip,
pendrive usb installer has worked ... after md5 gave the green light. So I'm raring to go.

I was hoping to just re-start and have a look at mint ... but windows opened as normal. I checked the bios to do with start-ups and all I have is one for the main driveand one for the CD ... there is an FDD and a USB Memory (and something else) but only the CD and the hard drive appear to have start up capability. Can I have a look at mint working or do I have to install it using the pendrive SD card?

Did you check your motherboard can boot from SD card ?

Hi delance,
No. How do I do that? Its not in Biosis it?

Yes. The bios will give the options it can boot from. If sd card isn't explicitly given then choose usb storage.

Ah ... the bios only mentions USB memory - which I do not think is appropriate.

I think I'll get myself a DVD and put it on there - because the bios does specify the cd drive.

Unfortunately I have another problem (although I am hoping that by putting mint onto DVD will sort it out). The sd card has mint on it so I thought I would open it up from windows seeing as the card says "mint installer" ... but when I press to install I get an error message "cannot unpack mint" ... any ideas?