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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.

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

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

If the laptop supports dual drives (not unheard of but not the norm) it's way safer to dual boot from different physical drives.

Whatever OS you choose make sure they have a guide for dual-booting. Any Linux OS should be capable of dual-boot but not all will support that configuration equally.

As a failsafe I would also make a rescue USB, especially SystemRescue because of the findroot option.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

I dual booted a machine and I had to even unplug my windows drive to get it to install a Linux distro on the other drive. Windows really does not like playing nice with dual boot systems so it is always best to keep Windows on its own drive.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I'd really like to not open up the device and mess with it, kinda need it for use soon, so i cant afford the time.

Also, i agree, but just disabling the ability to boot through windows should be enough for now, by the time I'd need more control, i can safely say the old files aren't needed, and can ditch the windows partition.