[conspire] (forw) Re: Question about installing linux

[Scott DuBois]

On 07/10/2014 07:09 PM, Rick Moen wrote:
> ----- Forwarded message from Chris Mason <harrymason845 at gmail.com> -----
> 
> Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2014 10:45:32 -0700
> From: Chris Mason <harrymason845 at gmail.com>
> To: installers at linuxmafia.com
> Subject: Question about installing linux
> 
> Dear Linux Mafia:
> 
> I have a desktop computer with two hard disks.
> I don't have the knowledge to figure out how to dual boot
> with the UEFI Bios setup and Windows 8.1 which is currently
> on one hard disk.  I flubbed an install of fedora, and I am thinking of
> trying to put ubuntu on the second disk.
> I'm reluctant to try since I don't know what I'm doing.
> Last time I tried with fedora I got the grub command line
> and had to reinstall windows...
> Can you recommend someone with a linux background could help me?
> Thanks,
> Chris Mason.
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> ----- Forwarded message from Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com> -----
> 
> Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 19:08:40 -0700
> From: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
> To: Chris Mason <harrymason845 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Question about installing linux
> Organization: If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
> 
> Quoting Chris Mason (harrymason845 at gmail.com):
> 
>> Dear Linux Mafia:
>>
>> I have a desktop computer with two hard disks.
>> I don't have the knowledge to figure out how to dual boot
>> with the UEFI Bios setup and Windows 8.1 which is currently
>> on one hard disk.  I flubbed an install of fedora, and I am thinking of
>> trying to put ubuntu on the second disk.
>> I'm reluctant to try since I don't know what I'm doing.
>> Last time I tried with fedora I got the grub command line
>> and had to reinstall windows...
>> Can you recommend someone with a linux background could help me?
> 
> You've encountered one of the pitfalls with dual-booting; the potential
> to mess up the bootloader configuration and interfere with your ability
> to boot anything at all.  I mention this in order to point out that 
> dual-boot isn't the only way to have the use of multiple operating
> systems.  You might prefer to leave the main OS (Windows 8.1) alone and
> install other OSes in virtual machine environments - which has many
> advantages including concurrent use of the installed OSes and avoiding
> the need to shutdown and reboot to switch.
> 
> So, bear that thought in mind.  Meanwhile, back to your task as you
> described it:
> 
> I've just now done some quick reading, and it seems like a real mess.
> You're advised to study one or more of these:
> http://amidstsky.com/tech/install-ubuntu-or-fedora-in-dual-boot-with-windows-8-1-uefi/
> http://askubuntu.com/questions/400602/uefi-dual-boot-ubuntu-12-04-3-windows-8-1-one-gpt-hdd
> http://itsfoss.com/install-ubuntu-1404-dual-boot-mode-windows-8-81-uefi/
> http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/05/install-ubuntu-1404-alongside-windows.html
> 
> Sure, we'll walk you through the matter during the CABAL gathering, but
> we'll very likely be reading the page(s) too.  ;->
> 
> 
> Anyway, as I said, one compelling alternative is to install Linux in a
> VM, something like VirtualBox.  Much simpler, no fussing with
> bootloaders.
> 
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> 
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Hi Chris,

Rick's right (as usual) that a really good alternative is to run
VirtualBox (or chosen vendor) inside your choice of core operating
system. I've read the articles on overcoming the UEFI and while it's not
exceptionally hard, there is a significant amount of prep work involved
before embarking on a dual boot in comparison to what it used to be
before UEFI. The links he provided should serve well until you can
attend a location and get some live on-on-one with someone who has done
a number of installs before.

When I first started using Linux, I did the dual boot while still being
afraid to let go of the comforting hand of Windows but soon realized the
situation was more annoying having to leave one OS to utilize the other
for a short trivial operation then back again. With Windows in a VM and
utilizing shared folders between the systems one can be working away in
their Linux distro then simply start the VM like any other program,
start the Windows OS and simply move files between the two seamlessly
then shut down the VM like any other program without ever having to log
out or deal with chopped up drives. Regardless of what many may claim
there's a lot to be said for a dedicated installed OS.

Just something to think about. : )

-- 
Scott DuBois
President EBLUG
BSIT Software Engineering
Freenode: Roguehorse