Test Drive Mint Or ?

[gazz]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some tips / guidance for dual-booting my machine. I would like to take a look at Mint to see if I can get by without Windows and Windows dependent applications. If so, I will install it as my primary OS on the SSD and use the HDD strictly for data.

As it stands:
64GB SSD (12 GB free) holding OS (Win7 Pro 64-bit) and misc. applications
1TB HDD (320 GB free) for data
8GB RAM
CPU is i5 2500K (moderately overclocked)

My backup device is a Buffalo 500GB ext. drive with OS support for Windows and Mac.

I have been looking at partitioning for various installations and gather that LVM is not yet supported in most distributions. That said, I'm not familiar with Linux so it's all a bit academic at this point...it's just that I like the idea of complete control over available disk space. The idea of subsequent (read: post installation) incremental expansion or reduction of allocated partitions or adding additional drives is appealing to me. Also, because I lack a proper understanding of effective partitioning.

That aspect aside...
Is it possible to shrink the NTFS partition on the HDD (without compromising the existing data) in order to install Mint? Can Mint then interact with these files?
Would it not be reasonable to just run Mint from a live DVD or USB device? I can't imagine this being a method that would allow for a fair evaluation.
If I choose to go with a Linux install as my sole OS, would that external drive really be rendered useless or is there some work around to be able to read the contents?

I've been sitting on the fence here for quite some time. I don't have any real issues with Win7; seems to work fine...most times. I'm intrigued with Linux and would like to take it out for test drive.

Comments, suggestions and advice are welcome.

[Tywais]

One way to play around with it is to use VMWare or Virtualbox virtual machine software. Then you can install Mint on the virtual machine and do any experimenting you like including partitioning, applications etc and it will not affect the windows environment in any way. I do that regularly when I want to test out a linux distribution but prefer not using a Live CD in order to keep the linux environment when restarting same as if it were booting directly.

[urandom]

I have been looking at partitioning for various installations and gather that LVM is not yet supported in most distributions.

Not quite sure where you got this from but LVM is like super basic. IIRC it's even default on a Fedora install...

Is it possible to shrink the NTFS partition on the HDD (without compromising the existing data) in order to install Mint? Can Mint then interact with these files?

Yes and yes.

[thaimite]

Mint will work happily alongside Windows.

It can read and write NTFS partitions so no problem with your existing data or external drives.

I would recommend 2 partitions 1 for Home and 1 for Root. Typically I allow 25GB for root (I know 4GB is supposed to be enough, but it can grow with applications installed). Normally you data will go in your home partition but I am always cautious about letting windows have access to my Ubuntu Home hence the extra partition.

Format the Root partition as ext3 or ext4 to keep it safe from Windows.

Apart from speed and the ability to save settings a live CD /DVD is a good way to check to see if you like Linux. as is a virtual machine running under windows.

Good luck and if you have any other questions or issues I am sure there will be lots of people here willing to help you with the learning curve.

There are always a few annoying apps that do not run under Linux that you must have (usually specialist things like Phone software) but I find I boot Windows about 2 or 3 times a year the rest of the time I use Wine or VMware, but again that is rare. Currently my only need for a real windows is firmware update of the BIOS!! and one specialist application that needs better control of the USB port than I can get under Wine or a Virtual machine.

[keeniau96]

Mint is very good about working with about any type of file system. Suggest you install it on ext3 (ext4 is the newer one but still some hesitations). You only have to choose the file system for actual installation, the Live will just work with what you have. Note that Live will be using the CD/DVD very much so don't judge the speed by what you see on Live, Mint is very fast once installed. I have been using Linux exclusively for about six years now, and the past 3 years have been on Mint. Virtual Box takes good care of any Windows programs that may be needed after you go Linux.

[aarn]

This is what i would do with your system, for a dual-boot.

First, google LinuxBSDos.com,

and search for 'dual boot windows linux',

just in case my following advice is absolute <deleted>.

In windows, turn that 12GB free space into an 'unallocated' space.

I think to do this, go to Start button (bottom left of screen), click.

In the search box that pops up, type 'disk' or 'disc'.

I think something like Windows disc/k Management should appear as an option, L-side of sreen.

Get into that, then you want to use the 'shrink disc size [or somesuch] option'. A Rclick or two on your Cdrive.

That way, you should be able to free up your 12 or so Gb as 'unallocated space'.

You will get heaps of warnings "this operation has the potential to lose data" blahblahblah.

Takes a while for the machine to do this, but you can regain the space very fast, later, if Peed-off by linux

Next, get an .iso image of your preferred linux distro via www.distrowatch.com.

Mint is wholesome. Lubuntu and Xubuntu are faster! I have Lub 13.04 booting on my rig (similar spec.s to yours) in 11 sec!

Load your preferred linux/mint distro onto a 4+Gb usb stick using www.unetbootin, downloaded from www.sourceforge.com.

Now you are ready to 'test' your linux.

First you gotta tell your machine that you wanna boot from the usb.

So you'll have to go into your BIOS - generally (but not exclusively) hitting F2 key just after startup.

If you have UEFI in your BIOS, can be a lot of mucking around.

Just change one thing at a time in BIOS, press F10 to save and exit, getback into BIOS.

Assuming you can get the usb to boot, an option should come up 'Try linux/ubuntu/mint without installing'.

Go that path, after a few sec of colour/movement you should be in the testing stage.

First thing to do is get online, by putting in your wifi password etc.

If happy after mucking around for a bit, you wanna install.

So go to the desktop of the usb, and double click on the icon to install.

There will be a few dialogue boxes, one may say 'multiple operating systems have been detected';

will ask 'how do you want install linux/mint'.

Choose the option 'Install Linux/mint/ubuntu alongside windows'.

That way windows will stay where it is, your linux will sit happily in the 12Gb freed-up space,

and every time you reboot, you get the option to use either linux or 'doze.

Your linux can see everything in your 'doze partition too, you'll figure it out.

Good luck, AA

[gazz]

Thanks to all for your input. I ended up going with a virtual machine install and have begun messing around a bit. Getting the VMware tools manually installed was not exactly straightforward so took a few tries. I can't say I'm overly impressed with Mate; is there an elegant solution to swapping that out for Cinnamon or would it be better to create another vm for a side by side comparison? Finally, I have yet to discover how to make use of the media contained outside the virtual machine...any quick tips on that score?

[innerspace]

Cant comment on vmware I use virtualbox. (Free on both windows and linux...I use it to run windows on linux not linux on windows)

But if you use virtualbox sharing outside media is easy. Need thw virtual machine shutdown. Then go into settings. Then set up shared drives/folders.

This works for hard drives, usb drives and dvd drives.

Connected usb devices can be more complicated or impossible depending on device.

[thaimite]

I use VmWare Player to run Windows inside Ubuntu.I Stopped using Virtualbox about a year ago. Vmware has improved a lot recently.

For network shares the procedure is very similar to the one descibred above.

Make sure the network configuration is set as Bridged and enable folder sharing.

USB devices can be more complex, but I have ad no issues with webcams or drives, but some other hardware has proved difficult and I have given up trying to get my Samsung phone to work through Kies,

[gazz]

I gather from the above, I need to configure Windows properly before Linux will see more than the 27 GB drive virtual machine drive that it is installed within. Would I also then have to set up shared folders within Mint? Trying to add the hard drive via VMware player does not work; Mint won't boot up in that case I think because a new .vmdx (?) file is created for the new hdd configuation and that appears to prevent the vm from recognizing it's own hdd. I may well dump the whole thing and try another install with Cinnamon...just for the fun of it;)

[aarn]

Methinks you are making life difficult for yourself.

You can get Mint 13 Cinnamon 64 bit, supported until 2017.

Full option listing here:

http://www.linuxmint.com/release.php?id=18

In my experience, virtual machines were trickier than usb or dual-boot.

Might even be easier to get another small ssd (true, not cheap in Thailand)

and swap drives (very easy, depending on your comp - youtube for instructions)

when you feel like a mint. AA

[thaimite]

I gather from the above, I need to configure Windows properly before Linux will see more than the 27 GB drive virtual machine drive that it is installed within. Would I also then have to set up shared folders within Mint? Trying to add the hard drive via VMware player does not work; Mint won't boot up in that case I think because a new .vmdx (?) file is created for the new hdd configuation and that appears to prevent the vm from recognizing it's own hdd. I may well dump the whole thing and try another install with Cinnamon...just for the fun of it;)

First some clarifications.

I use Ubuntu, and not Mint so I am unable to advise about Mint specific issues. Second I use VMWare in Ubuntu to host Winodws 7 not the other way around.

Having clarified the above, I am sure you do not need to create extra Virtual Machines or disks

First in VMware, before starting your machine go to "Edit Virtual Machine settings"

Ensure the network connection is set to Bridged, this will put your Mint Virtual machine on the same subnet as the host so as you access external network drives.

Ensure that USB sharing is enabled.

If the external drives are network shares, so long as you have made sure

the VmWare network connection is set to "Bridged" it should be a matter of simply connecting external drives using the Mint Network settings.

.

If you are trying to access remote USB drives then you must have VMware extensions installed, and once your Mint session is running, you should be able to go to the VMware menu and see the various USB devices and select which ones you want to access.

With regard to accessing other partitions and drives of your machine (which is probably the most critical for you) I have not had to do this, so a little googling is required.

[keeniau96]

To change from Mint Mate to Cinnamon (I much prefer that one) the option is on the login, just open it before you enter your name, then choose Cinnamon.

Per my previous, I find Virtual Box inside Mint to be simple solution for running WinXP and Win 7 (have both in my VB install. I have had double-, triple- and quad-boot setups and turned away from them. A beauty of VB in Mint is that both are active and the data exchange is simple via the shared folder/s; cannot do that with dual-boot.

[gazz]

Well guys / gals, it's all getting a bit messy. Bridged network setting means I lose NAT (host ip address) and thus the wireless connection to internet. Config to 'host only' gains access to the rest of my hd but the wait times for opening folders (and being bugged each time to enter password) are beyond acceptable.

Keeniau96:

Logon is automated along with the setup procedure through VMware so no opportunity to switch to Cinnamon. Another iso install me thinks is the answer.

A few more days and many hours tweaking this and that and I may stumble on a workable solution...meantime must attend to more pressing concerns. Thanks to all for help and suggetions (which I'll continue to monitor. If time permits, I'll get on the linux community forums for further information.)