Tweet
Hi there, can anyone help me how to set up Dual Boot Ubuntu and Windows With an SSD and an HDD
-
-
Configuring a dual-boot system with two or more operating systems is often perceived as challenging for those unfamiliar with OS installations. However, the process is relatively straightforward, especially for dual-booting on separate hard drives.
If you intend to set up a dual boot on a system with two disks, you might need clarification about the appropriate location for installing Linux.
You have three alternatives:- Install Linux exclusively on the SSD. This provides the full benefit of SSD speed but is limited by the available disk space. This option is suitable for larger SSDs, such as 180 GB or 200 GB, but may not be viable for a 120 GB SSD.
- Install Linux exclusively on the HDD. This offers ample disk space, but the boot time will be slower, and the advantages of an SSD won't be realized.
- A compromise between SSD and HDD. Place the root (including swap and boot) on the SSD while locating your Home directory on the HDD. This ensures faster Linux boot times, and you still have abundant disk space for personal documents and downloads.
As you'll be working with disk partitions, creating a backup of your crucial files on an external disk is prudent. While this step is optional, having a backup is a wise precaution.
Utilize an external HDD (slower but more economical) or SSD (faster but costlier) to copy essential files and folders onto it.
Step 2: Create Disk Partition for Ubuntu Installation
Navigate to 'Create and format hard disk partitions' via the Windows menu. Shrink SSD and HDD sizes individually to create free space for Ubuntu. Right-click on SSD, choose "Shrink Volume," allocate 30 GB (or preferred) for root. Repeat for HDD (allocated 200 G
. Current system config: 29.3 GB free on SSD, 195.3 GB on HDD.
Step 3: Download Ubuntu
Visit the Ubuntu website and download the ISO file. If you prefer downloading Ubuntu via torrents, locate it in the 'alternative downloads' section.
Step 4: Generate a Bootable Ubuntu USB
Create a bootable Ubuntu USB on Windows using tools like Rufus or Etcher. Download Rufus from its website, plug in your USB (ensure it has no essential data as it will be formatted), run Rufus, and select the downloaded ISO image, ensuring it uses the GPT partitioning scheme and UEFI target system.
Click the start button and patiently wait for the process to finish. After creating the live Ubuntu USB, please proceed to the next step: booting from it.
Step 5: Boot from the Live USB
You can access the UEFI settings during system startup by pressing the F2/F10/F12 button, or alternatively, go through Windows for a more reliable method.
In the Windows menu, search for UEFI, & then click on 'Change advanced startup options.'
Within the Advanced Startup option, click the "Restart now" button.
On the subsequent screen, select 'Use a device'.
Identify the USB disk by its name and size, and it may also appear as a "UEFI USB Device."
The system will power off and reboot into your selected disk, which should be the live USB disk.
Step 6: Installing Ubuntu Linux
You can initiate the installation by successfully booting from the live USB. The initial steps involve selecting the language and keyboard preferences.
On the next screen, opt for Normal installation. There's no need to download updates or install third-party software now; you can do so after installation.
After a while, you'll encounter the Installation type screen. Choose the 'Something else' option.
On the following screen, you should observe the free space you previously created. Choose the free space on the SSD (you can estimate it by its size if necessary) and click on the "+" sign to utilize this free space.
By default, it will occupy the entire free space, which is desirable. Maintain the partition type as primary.
The modifications required are changing the file system type to Ext4 and setting the mount point to / (where / denotes the root directory in Linux).
Now, choose the other free space on the HDD and click the "+" sign.
This time, select Home as the mount point. Keep the partition as primary and the file type as ext4.
There's no need to concern yourself with the 'Device for boot loader installation.' With a pre-installed Windows UEFI system, you should already have an EFI partition (ESP) (typically a 100 MB partition with type efi). The Ubuntu installer is adept at automatically detecting and using this partition for the Grub bootloader.
This is the final partitioning scheme for the system. If everything appears good, click the Install Now button.
Things are straightforward from here. Choose a timezone.
Enter a username, computer name (hostname), and a password that is easy to recall.
Now, patiently wait approximately 7-8 minutes until the installation is complete.
You will receive a prompt to eject the USB disk. Please take out the disk and press "Enter."
If everything goes as planned, you should encounter the Grub screen in either black or purple, offering you the option to boot into Ubuntu or Windows.
That concludes the process. You can now experience both Windows and Linux coexisting on the same system, utilizing SSD and HDD.
Comment