Linux

48316 readers

818 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

nooter692@lemmy.ml

MarcellusDrum@lemmy.ml

cypherpunks@lemmy.ml

cyclohexane@lemmy.ml

d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz

New to linux, would like some help setting up dual boot. (slrpnk.net)

submitted 2 weeks ago by BlackRoseAmongThorns@slrpnk.net to c/linux@lemmy.ml

52 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Got an old laptop from a friend I'd like to rejuvenate, the plan is to set up a light distro so it wouldn't be as slow as it is right now with windows 10.

Now, I'm aware windows updates can fuck up a dual boot system, so i have a few questions about how to minimize the threat of that happening.

What i think of doing is running a few scans to check the disk, then setting up Linux Mint, because it is beginner friendly, and (relatively) light weight.

What I'd need help with is trusted guides and also tips for setting up dual booting, I'm sure I'll need to do disk partitioning and I've done that before but I'd still want to make sure I'm doing it correctly.

Any help would be welcome.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

You probably know most of it so just some advice: Don't format the Partition table (MBR to GPT etc.) on the disk whose data you wish to keep.

Shrinking a partition or moving it carries a small risk of data loss and will take significantly longer than creating a new partition (since data needs to be cut and pasted from one area of the disk to another). If your old laptop has an empty slot for another SSD or NVME drive you can plug that in, and still dualboot and having the new drive Linux only.

Also to deal with the occasional Windows cockups, just carry a boot-repair USB, the auto repair has fixed the Windows issue for me 90% of the time (the other times are usually boot order priority or other BIOS setting)