Partitioning a SSD for dual boot Windows + Linux

[oldcarguy]

Hi , I just got a small 240gb SSD to throw in an old netbook ,

I might want to put Linux on it someday so want to leave an empty partition to install Linux.

Plus run windows 7 for now.

 

So what is the best way to do this ?

 

And should I also leave room for Windows 10 if I want to have both W7 and W10 on the same machine ?

 

I am not a gamer , the most I would be doing is an older version of Adobe Illustrator , and that would be simple graphics.

 

Thanks for your ideas

 

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

[killerbeez]

https://opensource.com/article/18/5/dual-boot-linux

[killerbeez]

Using the link above and a 240 GB SSD drive (and assuming that you may want to upgrade the Windows 7 to Windows 10) I would install Windows and choose about 150 GBs of the drive for Windows and the remainder for Linux. Linux runs light and doesn't need all that much space.

[Rice_King]

Skip dual booting. Install Windows and run the Linux in virtual machine.  Or vice verse if you prefer.

[oldcarguy]

Ok , how do I do that ?
Do I still need to partition the SSD ?

Thanks

Skip dual booting. Install Windows and run the Linux in virtual machine.  Or vice verse if you prefer.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[killerbeez]

33 minutes ago, oldcarguy said:

Ok , how do I do that ?

https://itsfoss.com/install-linux-in-virtualbox/

 

Linux is limited but you get to see how it works.

Edited May 5, 2019 by killerbeez

[userabcd]

Try running Linux off a bootable USB first. You can set up persistance with some Linux distros such as Ubuntu and mint.

Edited May 5, 2019 by userabcd

[Pattaya46]

@oldcarguy: 

You don't say why you want Linux or what for, but just for information Windows 10 allows to install a Linux very easily that will be running while you are on Windows. 

See Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 

I use a Debian console to run scripts in Php that manage some of my Windows 10 files. Works nice and easy.

[doctormann]

31 minutes ago, userabcd said:

Try running Linux off a bootable USB first. You can set up persistance with some Linux distros such as Ubuntu and mint.

Good advice.  

 

Don't expect Linux to give you the full experience when running from a USB stick - it will be slow - but it will enable you to check if your wifi and ethernet work correctly.  There probably won't be a problem - I once had a HP desktop machine that needed a kernel update before Ethernet would work.

 

Linux can be a bit picky with printers - some makes are easier than others and HP seems to be the best.  You can usually get them working under CUPS but the driver options may be restricted.  If you can find a fully compatible Linux driver then so much the better.  This link <http://www.openprinting.org/printers> may help.

 

Most scanners will work under XSANE - fully featured - or you can use Simple Scan that comes with most if not all Linux distributions.  Pretty basic but works.  Combo printer/scanners may be a bit more of a problem - never had one myself.

 

 

[JSixpack]

On 5/5/2019 at 6:47 AM, Rice_King said:

Skip dual booting. Install Windows and run the Linux in virtual machine.  Or vice verse if you prefer.

Skip dual booting. Install Linux (w/ a light DE, no heavier than Xfce) and run Illustrator CS6 under Wine. https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=20.

 

No WiFi, buy a cheap adapter that works w/ Linux.

 

Old netbook likely lacks horsepower to run VM satisfactorily. Dual booting, following exact instructions, looks like it will work just fine, and maybe it will, until the first time you boot and find only a blinking cursor or no option for Windows. ???? Hence, if you're going that route then do it right away before you invest a lot of time in configuring your Windows and installing stuff.

 

USB stick, the "live w/ persistence" option will be too slow; upgrading and space will become an issue; true, you can test your WiFi and whatever, but you don't need persistence for that. In fact you can install Linux fully to a USB stick (faster is better) using this guide: Simple method to create a UEFI-bootable USB drive, and it'll be good for both BIOS or UEFI--and run pretty fast. I have one and like it a lot, got it fully upgraded and beautifully pimped. However, a flashdrive Linux install is really best only for light use, given the wear issues.

 

So let us know how that goes. 

 

Edited May 6, 2019 by JSixpack

[killerbeez]

37 minutes ago, JSixpack said:

Old netbook likely lacks horsepower to run VM satisfactorily.

Good point.