Installing Mint on separate SSD with Shared Folder. Are my steps correct? | Linux Mint Community🍵 | Page 1

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 9:56 PM

#

Hello. I'm setting up a new ASUS Laptop. I would love to install Mint Cinnamon on it. However, it's been many years since I last installed MInt, and my circumstances now are a bit different.
I would like to confirm my steps are correct.

Firstly, some background:

My Laptop has a Nvidia RTX 4070. (I hope this won't cause issues...)
I would like to create a dual boot between Linux Mint and Windows.
I am installing Linux Mint on a SECOND SSD, which I would also like to partition with a "Shared (NTFS?) folder between Linux Mint and Windows, and the installation of Linux mint itself.
I am going to install via a "Live Session" Thumb Drive of Linux.

My understanding is that normally during a Mint installation, you just click "Install Linux Mint alongside Windows Boot Manager", and that takes care of everything.

However, because my Mint installation is on a separate SSD from the Windows SSD that came with the laptop.... This complicates things.

Are my steps correct?

MY CURRENT STEPS:

After clicking "Install Linux Mint" in the live session, I click "Something Else" for installation type.
I click the dropdown at the bottom "Device for Boot Loader Installation" and change the drive to the SSD I am installing Linux Mint on? (This prevents windows update from messing up grub menu????)
I scroll down "Device List" until the SDA matching my SSD Device Name (eg. WD_Black SN850X NVMe ssd), and double click the free space.
TO CREATE THE LINUX MINT PARTITION: I input desired size. In my case I want 400gb, so I type 400000MB?, set as Primary, Location for new partition is Beginning of this space, and "Use As" Ext4 Journaling File System? And Mount Point to "/".
TO CREATE THE SHARED FOLDER PARTITION: input desired size. 600gb = 600000MB?, set as Primary, Location for new partition is Beginning of this space, and "Use As" NTFS Journaling File System?
I then click the sda for linux, and then click "Install Now"?
After computer reboots, I change boot order to prioritize my second SSD with linux on it?

QUESTIONS:

-Is my step for creating the Shared Folder Partition correct? Should I do it before the linux mint partition is created?

Is my ordering correct?
Any heads ups before I install? Eg. if it plays nice with ASUS ROG STRIX G17?

Feel free to ping me.
Thank you very much!

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 9:59 PM

#

that's what manual install ought to look like; replace anything saying sda with ur exact SSD dev name

#

note specifically the red highlights

#

if ur ssd is totally blank and unformatted, use the + button there to make those two partitions, and set their USE AS: fields accordingly

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:00 PM

#

What is an EFI?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:01 PM

#

do ur pc boot as uefi?

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:01 PM

#

I assume it does. ROG Strix G17

#

I can check later, but i am assuming

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:01 PM

#

does windows boot as uefi?

#

if its windows 11, it likely does

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:01 PM

#

a google search indicates yes. So let's assume so

#

This second SSD I am installing will be a completely fresh new SSD from the store.

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:02 PM

#

cedar fiber if ur ssd is totally blank and unformatted, use the + button there to make those...

.

#

so it will show up in installer as a dev name (free space)

#

highlight the free space line n hit +

#

repeat for 2nd partition

#

as for the shared thing, u can just make a folder in windows. dont need any special partition

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:04 PM

#

I would like to create a shared partition anyway

#

especially as this is additional space

#

Right. I'm assuming it is blank and unformatted.

So with my SSD clicked I use the + button to make two partitions and set their USE AS fields.

This is the part I don't want to mess up, since I assume I need to do it in a correct order.

The Linux one I set with Mount point / (and do I do it before or AFTER the shared partition?)

The Shared Partition I simply just Use As NTFS?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:04 PM

#

then i recommend hitting + a third time, and just make it exFAT

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:05 PM

#

Apologies I'm confused. Why am I creating a third partition?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:05 PM

#

U said u wanted it

#

for shared

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:06 PM

#

pliant hatch Right. I'm assuming it is blank and unformatted. So with my SSD clicked I use ...

same order as pictured

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:06 PM

#

But you already instructed to create a second partition, correct?
One partition is for Linux Mint, and the other is for Shared?

#

I'm obviously misunderstanding the first two partitions you suggested, my apologies

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:06 PM

#

efi (esp), linux root, shared

#

pretty much as pic

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:07 PM

#

Apologies. What is the purpose of the efi? Is that the grub menu?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:07 PM

#

it's where ur bootloader must go, eg Grand Unified Bootloader. (grub)

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:08 PM

#

So it is a partition for the grub menu?
And to confirm, I only want about 110MB dedicated to it?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:08 PM

#

yep dont need more

#

the linux root, allow plenty. as much as u can. shared partition is up to u the size

#

u got win 11?

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:11 PM

#

I think I am starting to understand. Thank you very much for the help so far.
I have a followup question but I need a few minutes for a chore.

Yes, Windows 11 (unfortunately)

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:11 PM

#

disable WFS first then. #1193345280733622272 message

#

and also fast or quick boot in BIOS

#

both.

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:13 PM

#

Thank you very much. I will look into that soon.

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:14 PM

#

if u want to be super duper triple sure u can disconnect win. drive., as the 2nd video at top there shows

#

but my pic, especially the red writing should be fine

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:32 PM

#

There's both a Windows Fast Startup AND a Fast Boot? Two things?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:39 PM

#

pliant hatch There's both a Windows Fast Startup AND a Fast Boot? Two things?

Yes. unless ur uefi doesnt have it anywhere to be seen in boot settings or advanced/config, then leave the bios

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:47 PM

#

Thank you. I THINK I have just two more questions for now before I attempt it later tonight.

So to follow up: The ORDER of partitions on my Linux Mint SSD should be:

efi with Mount Point... ???? (Size: 110MB) <-- GRUB
Ext4 MOUNT POINT "/" (Size: 400000MB) <--- Linux Mint
NTFS with NO MOUNT POINT? (Size: Whatever is left?) <--- Shared.

Then I left click the Ext4 partition and click Install?

My second question is... When I do this order, do I select "End of this space" for each one?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:47 PM

#

beginning

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:48 PM

#

Doesn't beginning put it at the top of the list?
So if I want it in order.. efi needs to be last instead of first?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:48 PM

#

efi should be first.

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:48 PM

#

So I create efi.
Then I create second one, Ext4 and select "beginning of this space".

Doesn't that put Ext4 before efi in priority?

#

or does "beginning of this space" actually make it next on the list instead of before? (it's opposite?)

#

in other words, with Beginning of Space, plus the order mentioned above (1. efi, 2. Ext4, 3. NTFS) it'll work out?

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:51 PM

#

yeah but use exfat or dont put anything as partition 3. u can change later after install

#

eg.. say u want a 150 GB partition later on, and when u go to make the root partition (p2) just make it be the whole drive minus 150 GB in size.

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:53 PM

#

so leave partition 3 as free space and just add it in later with another tool? Does the tool come with the installation? Or do I have to download it via a software manager? eg. gparted

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 10:53 PM

#

rxactly

#

u may use the included Disks app later after all is installed and all works.

pliant hatch Feb 10, 2025, 10:55 PM

#

Thank you! I think I have most info I need to resume setup later. I look forward to it.
I miss using Linux Mint so much.
I will post if it works.

#

actually, just ONE more question for now.

I need to make the live session boot drive.

A lot of tutorials recommend this:
https://etcher.balena.io/
Is this the correct site?
Do you recommend it?

balenaEtcher - Flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives

A cross-platform tool to flash OS images onto SD cards and USB drives safely and easily. Free and open source for makers around the world.

#

Alternatively I was recommended https://rufus.ie/

Is this also correct?
I was told it is Free/Open Source too?

Rufus - The Official Website (Download, New Releases)

Rufus is a small application that creates bootable USB drives, which can then be used to install or run Microsoft Windows, Linux or DOS. In just a few minutes, and with very few clicks, Rufus can help you run a new Operating System on your computer...

cedar fiber Feb 10, 2025, 11:11 PM

#

rufus over etcher, but if it fails, then use ventoy from ventoy.net

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 6:15 PM

#

pliant hatch Alternatively I was recommended https://rufus.ie/ Is this also correct? I was t...

Hi, any updates with this?

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 6:16 PM

#

Just installed the SSD (though it damaged the back of the laptop somehow.).
And in a few hours i'll be installing linux via the USB. 🙏

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 6:25 PM

#

you'll want to make a new partition table on that thing. use gpt style

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 6:25 PM

#

what does that mean? I don't just do the instructions we confirmed above during installation?

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 6:26 PM

#

yeah but unless the drive is preformatted, it will need one

#

u can click the button in the manual installer in page 5

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 6:26 PM

#

I did not format it yet

when I checked in windows it showed a drive1(separate from drive0) with 900+GB of free space

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 6:27 PM

#

then u can right click the drive , over the drive number, in Disk Management, and do Properties, and Volumes and check its partitioning styl

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 6:36 PM

#

is that from within Linux mint live session?

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 6:36 PM

#

Windows

#

or u can look in "Disks" app in Mnt

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 6:45 PM

#

thank you will do so in a few hours.

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 6:47 PM

#

#

eg. DISKS app ^^

#

#

gparted ^^

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 7:44 PM

#

SO I just right click the drive, and change the table to gpt style?

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 7:45 PM

#

if it already is, just leave it.

#

if not, the last picture is pretty much crystal clear.

#

2nd last picture shows the relevant info one must pay attention to in red

pliant hatch Feb 11, 2025, 7:48 PM

#

oh ok so i don't need to boot into windows to create the partition table? I can just do it within linux itself?

cedar fiber Feb 11, 2025, 7:56 PM

#

yup

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:19 AM

#

cedar fiber then u can right click the drive , over the drive number, in Disk Management, an...

"You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it."
Use the follow partition style for the selected Disks: MBR, GPT
Note gpy partition style not recognized"

#

im looking in windowsso do i click any of those things?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:20 AM

#

just do it from mint live

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:21 AM

#

ok uh.. trying to figure out.. how do i uh... boot from the usb. it's plugged in

#

it's asking me to select boot device but it's not there

#

i'm hoping i did not mess it up then..

#

Wait... oh i see it now, woops

#

Okay i am booting up gparted

#

So there's a dropdown at the top right. I use that and switch to a different drive????

#

And now i see an unalloccated partition with unallocated file system? and size 931.51GiB

#

so i pick that drive.. then click "Create Partition Table..."?
And make it GPT partition type?

#

Okay I finished that step... now is the next step just "Install Linux MInt"?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:35 AM

#

pliant hatch Okay I finished that step... now is the next step just "Install Linux MInt"?

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:37 AM

#

What is the "configure secure boot" thing?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:41 AM

#

idk. u booted usb securely maybe

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:42 AM

#

it's the multimedia codecs page

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:42 AM

#

can just set it up, make a special sb password, write it on paper!

#

will use later on reboot

#

also write ur username and user password on paper for later. very important to know

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:44 AM

#

this screen

#

i could unclick secure boot

#

clicking Continue. Intend to click "Something Else" on next page once it finishes "preparing ubuntu-drivers".

How can I make the taskbar not combine windows into icons? it's been a while

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:48 AM

#

ungroup

#

it's a setting in the window-list applet

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:51 AM

#

trying to find it in system settings. There's the "Windows" setting

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:52 AM

#

nah, u go to applets

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:52 AM

#

Configure is greyed out. Is that because it is live session?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:53 AM

#

find 'grouping window list' edit prefs, can ungroup and use with buttons

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:53 AM

#

pliant hatch Configure is greyed out. Is that because it is live session?

probably

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:53 AM

#

ok going to move onto Something Else now

#

#

this is what i see

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 12:55 AM

#

yeah dont confuse the device names. be precise

#

then refer to the chat above. click free space under the new drive's device name

#

and dont forget my first picture, red important text

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 12:57 AM

#

Seems to be the /dev/nvme1n1 with 1TB unallocated is the empty SSD?

#

#1338629807168159765 message

So I click the Unallocated.. And click the "+"

#

and the first thing I do is set up 110mb for GRUB with "Primary" as type of partition, and "USe As" is efi.

Mount Point stays empty?

#

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:02 AM

#

for efi mount stays empty

#

yes next

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:13 AM

#

So I click "_" on Free Space again to create partition.
This one I "Use As" Ext4 and Mount Point "/"

Keep it set to "beginning of the space" for location

And i uh.. just set my size.
300gb = 300000MB...

I'm just going to think a moment how much space to put

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:14 AM

#

pliant hatch So I click "_" on Free Space again to create partition. This one I "Use As" Ext4...

yes. 300 is plenty and then u will have like perhaps 100 GB left as empty spare right?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:14 AM

#

600gb or so leftover.

I want to use that remaining space to create the shared folder. that'll be next step

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:15 AM

#

damn. so u have a big f'n drive

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:16 AM

#

#

seems correct?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:16 AM

#

yep next

#

do you want a separate home partition?

#

it's handy if u plan to distrohop

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:17 AM

#

I'm not sure what a home partition is?
I want a shared folder for windows and linux using my remaining space

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:18 AM

#

it's where linux keeps all user files and user program settings and cache

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:18 AM

#

does it need to be a separate partition?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:18 AM

#

I think it would be wise to make

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:18 AM

#

it isn't just part of the ext4 /?

#

then I have to take away 300gb from the ext4 since i assumed that contains / and home and all that

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:19 AM

#

yes it can be. but if u need to reinstall for whatever reason, a separate home partition means u can reinstall (manually as so) and not lose ur home files/settings

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:20 AM

#

pliant hatch then I have to take away 300gb from the ext4 since i assumed that contains / and...

250 for root

#

home can be 3-400 GB

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:20 AM

#

I can just backup my files onto an HDD right?
The home is by default inside the ext4 /?
Or.. it isn't?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:21 AM

#

pliant hatch I can just backup my files onto an HDD right? The home is by default inside the ...

Yes and yes

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:21 AM

#

So I don't need a separate partition for Home?
It will be inside the 300gb I allocated here?

#

eg "My Documents" folder and stuff

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:21 AM

#

technically u dont need a sep. home

#

it's just an option and i explained the benefits

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:22 AM

#

I see.. so it helps if we swap to a new distro

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:22 AM

#

mhm

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:22 AM

#

Okay then I will take your advice. How much space is needed then? I would have to revert my exr4 /

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:22 AM

#

or need a reinstall of mint for whatever reason

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:23 AM

#

cedar fiber 250 for root

my advice sizing

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:23 AM

#

250gb or 250mb?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:23 AM

#

GB

#

root is important. cant be too shy/small

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:24 AM

#

Oh.. I'm going to pass then 😅
I only have a 300gb on my budget for my linux partition, and the shared partition for remaining space.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:24 AM

#

or leavr as 300

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:24 AM

#

making a separate folder means I need to take away space from my intended shared folder

#

So I will just leave it be for now.

Now I just make the shared folder partition out of the free space?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:25 AM

#

if ur beeing so conservative, then 150/150

#

but i would stick to my recommendation of 250/400

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:26 AM

#

is it okay to proceed without a separate home partition?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:26 AM

#

yep

#

set bootloader location now

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:27 AM

#

So what remains is just the shared partition.
So.. you mentioned use something not ntfs. Trying to find its type... Scrolling up in chat

#

the boot loader is what i have in the screenshots.

It's the drive of the ssd.

Do I use the nvme1n1p1 efi instead?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:28 AM

#

leave that space untouched

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:29 AM

#

#

Did I do it correct or I should change it?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:29 AM

#

put bootloader to nvme1n1p1

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:30 AM

#

so the efi

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:30 AM

#

the bottom dropdown menu

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:31 AM

#

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:31 AM

#

yep next

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:31 AM

#

So leave unallocated and do next part in gparted once installed?

You said format it as exfat

#

I just click Install Now?

#

to confirm?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:33 AM

#

read, understand, and approve the final summary box popup

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:33 AM

#

#

huh.... ESP

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:34 AM

#

yep next

#

esp is the efi system partition. important for the drive to boot any modern OS

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:39 AM

#

Installing now 🙂

#

I'm going to write a step by step guide for myself in the future

#

Restarting~

#

Broadcast message
The system will reboot now

Failed to idle channel 16 [Xorg 2101]
stalled at ffffffffffffffffffffff

#

Is this normal? 😬

#

it's not rebooting

#

So what is up with this black screen?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:46 AM

#

did the computer restart?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:46 AM

#

nope

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:47 AM

#

u chose the 'restart' button after the install right?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:47 AM

#

yep

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:47 AM

#

and now it's just lingering a bit

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:47 AM

#

Now there's a second message:
INFO: task plymouthd:45778 blocked for more than 122 seconds
tainted: G W 6.8.0-51-generic #52 Ubuntu
"echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel?hung_task_timeout_secs" disables this message

#

Do I just do a hard reboot of my laptop?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:47 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:48 AM

#

Hard closed laptop
pulling out the USB and now restarting

#

I am in Grub menu but i don't see windows

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:49 AM

#

s-ok

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:49 AM

#

Shouldn't Windows be at the bottom of grub menu?

#

There is a Windows Boot Manager

#

Doing Windows Boot Manager... opens up Bitlocker Recovery

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:50 AM

#

oh well that's bitlocker shenanigans

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:50 AM

#

🤦‍♂️
Luckily I took a picture of my key before starting. so i'll put that

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:50 AM

#

perhaps secure boot was disabled that's why

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:51 AM

#

i assume once i get into windows 11, if i remove bitlocker, then windows will appear in grub menu???

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:51 AM

#

u dont have to remove bitlocker since each OS has separate drives.

#

u can if u want though

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:51 AM

#

How do I add windows to Grub then?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:52 AM

#

i think grub will need a simple update

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:52 AM

#

So is this issue fixable? (adding windows to the grub menu)

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:52 AM

#

of course

#

the linux installer couldn't detect Windows as an OS because the other drive was fully encrypted. Thus it could not make any guess or attempt as to what was on there.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:54 AM

#

My key worked. Booting into windows (ugh) and seeing if i can remove bitlocker

#

device encryption:: turn off device encryption

#

restarting...

#

windows hasn't appeared yet in grub. However I did disable bitlocker

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:56 AM

#

neat.

#

boot up linux mint

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:57 AM

#

I CAN boot into windows but the name is odd

#

It's called "Windows Boot Manager". But it's annoying because it's 3rd option> is that normal?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:57 AM

#

yes that's normal

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:57 AM

#

Can I move it and rename it somehow?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:57 AM

#

sure.

#

can't rename it though.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:58 AM

#

But i can move it?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:58 AM

#

with enough research 😛

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:58 AM

#

alright thanks

#

OH one more thing

#

i need to make the shared folder

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:59 AM

#

u probably have a 10 second timer in GRUB.

#

if u want it to start Windows automatically when the timer runs out, u can adjust that via grub file edit

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 1:59 AM

#

I still need to make the shared partition. But gparted it gone

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 1:59 AM

#

but for now it should launch linux Mint automatically at end of countdown

#

u can use DISKS app

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:00 AM

#

I assume i use software manager

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:00 AM

#

nah

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:00 AM

#

launching disks

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:00 AM

#

it's on the live ISO but not needed

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:00 AM

#

700gb of free space on it

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:00 AM

#

show a pic of the NEW nvme in DISKS

#

if possible. u may log in to Discord from firefox browser.. and use alt+printscreen to make a windowed screenshot

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:01 AM

#

#

i never used DISKS tool before. How do I make the shared folder?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:02 AM

#

very nice

#

If u can spare about 200 GB out of the 700 GB for Timeshift Snapshots, that would be very wise.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:03 AM

#

Why do I need timeshift snapshots?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:03 AM

#

Timeshift snapshots are like backups that can help u restore your linux to a working state if anything seriously screws up

#

handy for a newb person

#

or even for an experienced person who tinkers with the OS a bit too much

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:04 AM

#

I'm open to it but do I need 100gb for timeshift?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:04 AM

#

yeah

#

i'd say 200 GB if u can spare it

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:05 AM

#

What is minimum recommended size for timeshift? I really don't want to spend much space on it

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:05 AM

#

because it clones ur working system. so if u have like a lott of big programs on linux, plus the OS itself, it needs that space to make the clone

#

bare bare minimum I'd advise 100 GB

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:06 AM

#

😔

#

I will do 100gb then

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:06 AM

#

alright.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:06 AM

#

So, I've never done this before.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:06 AM

#

so click in the free space in the diagram in DISKS

#

then click the + button near the left bottom of diagram

#

then choose ext4 type filesystem. and give it a label, such as TS_BACK

#

for "timeshift backups"

#

choose 100 GB.. note it will appear as less than 100 metric GB when viewed by binary gigabytes

#

everything shown in DISKS app is in Metric Gigabytes / metric prefixes

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:10 AM

#

Well it's now "create partition".
I set it to 100 GB then click Next...

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:10 AM

#

yep

#

you know what, dont make the shared volume as exFAT if u think you may need to resize it later

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:13 AM

#

Why is that?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:13 AM

#

it doesnt support resize

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:14 AM

#

can i not erase and reformat the exfat partition?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:14 AM

#

you could.

#

but if u had 600 GB of data on it. or so, and wanted to grow it by an extra 100 GB.. u'd have to back all 600 GB of data up to somewhere else then

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:15 AM

#

Well I have to Sacrifice 100gb to make the TIMESHIFT_BACKUP 😦

#

So I'll commit to that and live with 600gb

#

Volume Name: TIMESHIFT_BACKUP

Do I click Erase?

For Type I keep it Ext4?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:15 AM

#

anyway. NTFS can be resized, but occasionally needs Windows to filesystem error-check it.

#

leave the timeshift partition alone as it is. and ext4

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:16 AM

#

exfat is more stable if i dont anticipate resizing it?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:16 AM

#

correct

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:16 AM

#

#

good?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:16 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:17 AM

#

ok done. Next is the actual shared one? 600gb left

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:17 AM

#

yep same method

#

and choose Other

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:18 AM

#

I will have to select Other

#

exFAT

#

and now i just Create...

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

ERROR FORMATTING VOLUME

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

give it a label

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

I did. odd

#

label for exFAT filesystem is too long (disks-error-quark, 0)

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

yeh

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

the name was too long i guess

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

keep it to 8 characters

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:19 AM

#

so now i click minus?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:20 AM

#

well check the diagram. it probably didnt make anything

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:20 AM

#

it did

#

Partition 4
600 GB unknown

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:20 AM

#

so just adjust the label if it shows

#

oh ok, select it and hit the red minus to delete

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:21 AM

#

Got it. Created it as Shared_P

#

how do I save the changes?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:21 AM

#

nice

#

alright have a nice day. play around.. read all what is guided for u in the Welcome menu. (u can type-search welcome in the start menu if u need to re launch it)

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:22 AM

#

It's all done?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:22 AM

#

do u want Windows to boot first always, not Linux?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:23 AM

#

ideally (due to annoying windows updates)

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:23 AM

#

ah

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:23 AM

#

at the end I also want to create a checklist/step by step guide of everything

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:23 AM

#

how much time do u want on the grub timer?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:24 AM

#

i'm okay with current settings

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:24 AM

#

I find 5 seconds nice for me

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:24 AM

#

It's more that I want Windows to be top of list

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:24 AM

#

ok so open a terminal now. it is pinned

#

idk how to change the visual order

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:25 AM

#

(btw the applets thing is still locked)

#

terminal opened

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:26 AM

#

alright so you're gonna launch the included text editor called xed. (you're on cinnamon desktop right?)

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:26 AM

#

yep!

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:26 AM

#

sudo xed /etc/default/grub

#

you said u only saw three entries in GRUB before right? Mint, Mint Advanced, and Windows boot mgr, right?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:27 AM

#

i think it was 4 entries

#

bottom was some UEFI or something

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:28 AM

#

ok well top three were in order i said right?

#

i think that's how it goes

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:28 AM

#

yep

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:28 AM

#

ok so in the file u opened,. find the line saying GRUB DEFAULT

#

it's probably saying 0

#

put it to 2

#

if ur fine with the timeout amount, then just save the file after changes

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:30 AM

#

oh I see. so I just change GRUB_DEFAULT to 2

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:30 AM

#

yep

#

this will pick the third entry as the default thing to bootup with no user intervention

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:30 AM

#

thank you very much.
I wanted to know how to do this for future.

I have two more things I gotta do before I finally enjoy Linux again.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:30 AM

#

oh wait now

#

did u see in that file.. it said near top.. u must do update grub after any edits

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:31 AM

#

What do you mean?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:31 AM

#

so sudo update-grub in terminal

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:31 AM

#

Ohhh so after editing anything i must input sudo update-grub command into terminal

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:32 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:32 AM

#

thanks!

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:32 AM

#

otherwise it wont touch the magic spicy area n commit changes

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:33 AM

#

So now the complicated stuff is over. I have quick question about Applets now.

Changing the taskbar things to never combine.
That is Window List in Applets.
But it still has a lock icon and cant edit it

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:33 AM

#

I may have forgotten if u mentioned it.. you're returning to Linux?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:33 AM

#

OH WAIT timeshift wasnt setup yet

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:33 AM

#

that can wait a moment

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:34 AM

#

cedar fiber I may have forgotten if u mentioned it.. you're *returning* to Linux?

Yes, I used Linux Mint a decade or so ago and LOVED it. It was my main OS.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:34 AM

#

but I can help u set it up

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:34 AM

#

sure

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:35 AM

#

pliant hatch Yes, I used Linux Mint a decade or so ago and LOVED it. It was my main OS.

oh neat. I'm a casual user and use Linux for fun and daily simple stuff. 8 years now

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:35 AM

#

Noticed an issue. The 995 GB of Windows Partition is listed as Encrypted, and I cannot access it from Linux Mint.
How might I fix that?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:36 AM

#

alright, im not super familiar with the latest Cinnamon features, so please show a pic of the full Applets window with the "grouping window list" item selected

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:36 AM

#

#

i thought I disabled bitlocker 🤔

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:36 AM

#

pliant hatch Noticed an issue. The 995 GB of Windows Partition is listed as Encrypted, and I ...

yeah I noticed u exited bitlocker in a great hurry. may have to go back n do a proper decryption of the drive.

#

ok in pic, click the gear icon

#

the lock just means it cant be easily removed

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:37 AM

#

i'm clicking the gear but it does nothing

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:37 AM

#

oh my

#

hover over those bottom icons near + -

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:38 AM

#

Add, Remove, Uninstall, Reset All, About

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:39 AM

#

hmmm this is a shock to me about the configuration icon not being clickable

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:39 AM

#

oh... i had to click the plus on it

#

it becomes clickable after doing that

#

this is just weird unintuitive design. Someone on the Mint team should consider rephrasing this thing

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:39 AM

#

oh. well that may have been a different applet.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:39 AM

#

most of the time MInt is really easy to use. (I taught seniors to use my old mint desktop)

#

well that's resolved... next is the timeshift?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:40 AM

#

scroll that whole applets list for GROUPING WINDOW LIST

#

cuz it doesnt make sense that u had to add it first

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:40 AM

#

eh that's fine. Timeshift is priority.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:40 AM

#

u may have added Window List in addition to GROUPING Window List shrugs

#

yep start timeshift up

#

click setup in it

#

or it may already open setup

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:42 AM

#

opening Timeshift app

#

it's asking me to select snapshot type.
RSYNC
BTRFS

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:42 AM

#

you will need to pick RSYNC

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:42 AM

#

clicked next

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:42 AM

#

this is the way it clones ext4

#

what is next?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:43 AM

#

#

hope this is enough

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:43 AM

#

yes select that ur ts back partition

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:43 AM

#

select snapshot levels...

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:43 AM

#

see how lovely things are with drive labels?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:44 AM

#

uh... So this is how often a snapshot is made

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:44 AM

#

alright I would recommed leaving dailies out,

#

and leaving the rest out too.. just put weekly and save 3

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:45 AM

#

alright, next

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:45 AM

#

this will do a backup once a week on schedule, and preserve two older ones just incase u have to rollback further

#

what is next?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:45 AM

#

User Home Directories

#

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:46 AM

#

ah ok. generally you can exclude home stuff (at least for scheduled snapshots)

#

but I will mention, that if u create a manual one (or even auto) and want to save particular desktop customizations and program settings, u will need to tick "only hidden files" in user home

#

dont worry about root home, just leave as is

#

root is the name of the administrator in this context

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:47 AM

#

Do I leave both as is?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:48 AM

#

u may

#

just note what i wrote

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:48 AM

#

I have both home/user and /root as "Exclude all files"

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:48 AM

#

alright

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:49 AM

#

but you recommend including hidden?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:49 AM

#

this will preserve and backup just the core system files/ programs/ deep system stuff

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:50 AM

#

pliant hatch but you recommend including hidden?

u may wish to or not..

#

i'll give u an example

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:50 AM

#

I'm just confused. I don't want to make a mistake here

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:50 AM

#

one user seriously screwed up how the taskbar was

#

they did a timeshift restore, and nothing regarding the taskbar was fixed

#

this is cuz desktop changes apply on a per-user basis, and like all program configs and other customizations that user made, they are hidden in /home

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:52 AM

#

cedar fiber they did a timeshift restore, and nothing regarding the taskbar was fixed

to make sure i am backing up the correct thing, which option do I click?

IInclude Only Hidden Files for /home/user?

#

and /root is Exclude All Files?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:52 AM

#

ultimately it's up to u. and u can always do a manual timeshift save with any settings u wish by going back into this setup screen, then hitting the CREATE button

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:52 AM

#

pliant hatch and /root is Exclude All Files?

yeah no one uses root

#

so best leave that one as is

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:53 AM

#

Okay so it looks like:

              exclude  hidden  all files
/home/username   ()    (√)    (  )
/ROOT            (√)   ( )    ( )

#

this is correct?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:54 AM

#

mkay sure

#

good to go I think

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:55 AM

#

Finish

#

Now timeshift-gtk opened.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:55 AM

#

probably it will make the first save.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:55 AM

#

i assume this is a background process creating backups without me having to open the program?

But for now I can click create top left?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:56 AM

#

yeah i think it shows activity in system tray

#

u dont have to click create

#

if it's already auto-creating the very first one

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:56 AM

#

snapshot created. great

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:56 AM

#

u can comment it too

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:57 AM

#

oh that's neat

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:57 AM

#

so like if ur gonna do something potentially harmful, (try not do go deep in the weeds eh, unless ur expert) u can always make a manual save

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:58 AM

#

anything else?

Leftover things:

Unencrypting the windows drive??? (googling reveals to run a command in windows command prompt)
I'm Making a step-by-step checklist of EVERYTHING we went over the past few days so I can idiot-proof myself in the future (and possibly help others)

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:58 AM

#

and label it wiht comment (TS before F-ing Sound messing)

#

^ as an example

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:59 AM

#

should the partition be unmounted?

#

or mounted

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 2:59 AM

#

it should be mounted in order to be written to or read from

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 2:59 AM

#

So I passively keep it mounted. alright

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:00 AM

#

idk if it will automount next boot

#

if not, u can edit mount options for it in the DISKS app, gear menu

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:00 AM

#

right now the TIMESHIFT_BACKUP partition is on my Devices list and that makes it annoying. Same with windows' own RESTORE.

Any way to hide those 2 things so I have my windows folder nd my Shared_P folder?

#

i assume maybe better to.. just create a shortcut?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:00 AM

#

yes open DISKS app now

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:01 AM

#

🤔
Maybe best not to mess with it in that way?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:01 AM

#

u can hide the RESTORE partition at least

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:01 AM

#

sure

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:01 AM

#

it's, I think half decent to see the timeshift backup partition in case u wanna explore it ever

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:01 AM

#

well this is just to hide it from file browser

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:01 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:02 AM

#

or rather

#

can i like.. create a new category that will mount my partitions for windows and shared_P?

#

like, right now i have Devices. But what if i just want a thing with my windows and shared_p partitions

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:02 AM

#

i would leave Windows to simply remain shown in Devices Section

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:02 AM

#

i can't edit what is under My Computer, can I?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:03 AM

#

and even the shared one leave it visible in the devices section. u may create a bookmark however as well

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:03 AM

#

yeah I think a bookmark would work best. Sometimes it's best not to fix what isn't brok, and just bandaid a solution

#

but let's say, I want my bookmark below "Home", above "Desktop" in file browser

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:04 AM

#

no u cant edit icons shown in My Computer, shy of maybe using the DISKS app perhaps

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:04 AM

#

pliant hatch but let's say, I want my bookmark below "Home", above "Desktop" in file browser

just drag the folder to that spot then

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:04 AM

#

oh i see it now. Thank you.

#

oh damn. I need to mount it before i can access the folder

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:05 AM

#

do u want to hide RESTORE ?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:05 AM

#

nah. But i'm wondering if there's a way to automatically mount my Shared_P

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:05 AM

#

yes

#

go to DISKS

#

click that partition, then the gear

#

edit mount options

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:06 AM

#

Uncheck user Session defaults.. and Mount At System Startup

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:06 AM

#

turn off user defaults toggle, make sure it says mountpoint is somewhere in /media

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:06 AM

#

i intend to install some steam games to this partition. So it is important steam plays nice with it

#

hopefully Proton will work nicely too

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:07 AM

#

oh so in that case, mount point should be in /mnt

#

i think u need to create a mount folder in mnt first

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:07 AM

#

uh..... it's mnt/E7AC-15B5

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:07 AM

#

ah alright

#

i guess it will create it for u

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:07 AM

#

that is its default.

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:08 AM

#

yeah it is using the volume's UUID

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:08 AM

#

user sessiond efault has mount at system startup already checked... i think.. alright, now i know

#

so i assume installing steam games here things will be fine and dandy

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:08 AM

#

yeah if it's in /mnt

#

u'll tell steam where u keep ur library of games

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:09 AM

#

next i gotta unencrypt windows so i can use it as a directory for steam games too...

I do wonder... If I install a game via Steam on Windows, then want to play it on Steam on Linux... how that is going to work without installing two copies of the same game :S

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:09 AM

#

i think there's issues. i think the official Steam docs say dont do that

#

like sharing across filesystems

#

but u may research or ask gamers

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:10 AM

#

Thank you very much. All that remains.. i gotta make a flowchart of this convo for future reference~

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:10 AM

#

kek

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:11 AM

#

Gotta idiot-proof myself for the future

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:11 AM

#

see the #1295728709306683482 channel for 'putting software on Linux' and other decent stuff.

#

btw, what flasher did u use for the Mint USB?

#

rufus, was it?

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:12 AM

#

Rufus

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:12 AM

#

cool. i think rufus makes a general purpose partition so u can use for whatever stuff

#

keep it safe, in case u need emergency boot environment

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:13 AM

#

By the way, I hope it's not a bad idea to use my windows Partition to store some Linux Steam installation, as long as i don't launch it from Windows

It sounds stupid, but it's spare SSD space 🤷‍♂️

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:14 AM

#

alright

#

just beware ntfs isnt exactly bulletproof when written to by linux.

#

may need to chkdsk it from Windows occasionally

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:15 AM

#

oh... that... yikes. So I guess that means I should be careful editing files of windows while in linux or they can corrupt

#

eg. a text document or a .PSD file

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:16 AM

#

i'm not a pro analyst on the matter, but it seems moving many files/ folders or big writing to NTFS from linux can cause fs errors

#

small little tweaks may be passable

#

there's an article in #1295728709306683482 about ntfs. including a small issue a lot of ppl have when it refuses to mount on linux the first time.

#

seems a simple fix. or may perhaps have been cured in Mint 22.1 idk

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:18 AM

#

But if I edit like a text document here or there, or if I copy files over, will it freak out? I don't know how windows 11 behaves and I am afraid to find out

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 3:19 AM

#

it shouldnt freak out, but try to edit stuff in the native environment/ filesystem. especially if it is very important to you. copy it across to ext4.

#

and ofc backup critical stuff to external storage.

#

and disable fast startup in windows for troublefree dualbooting. see #1193345280733622272 message

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 3:29 AM

#

writing my guide. give me a bit longer

#

GUIDE: INSTALLING LINUX ON SEPARATE SSD AND DUAL BOOT.

STEP 1. WITHIN WINDOWS:

FIND WINDOWS RECOVERY KEY FOR BITLOCKER!!!!!!!!!!
DISABLE BITLOCKER!!!!!!! (Unencrypt it too.)
Disable Windows Fast Boot (Secure Boot??)
Disable Fast Start etc.. in BIOS. (Along with sfx)
Download and Install Rufus (from reputable site) along with linux ISO to create USB.
Mash ESC on bootup to access boot menu
=============
LIVE SESSION: PARTITION TABLE
Boot up Gparted. Select the second SSD.
"Create Partition Table"
Make the SSD partition "GPT Partition type"

=============
LIVE SESSION: LINUX INSTALLATION

Click Install Linux Mint
Install Codecs Package
On Installation Type, Click "Other" instead of Dual Boot
Look for /dev/nvme1n1 (name may vary) with empty SSD
GRUB MENU PARTITION: Click "+" with Free Space and set up 110mb with "Primary" as Type of partition, Location as "Beginning of this space", and s Use As is "EFI".
LINUX PARTITION: 300gb = 300000MB. Similar to above, but Use As is "Ext4", and Mount Point is "/"
SHARED FOLDER: Keep unallocated for now. (Note: 100gb later to Timeshift backups)
BOOTLOADER: Set it to the efi partition (eg. /dev/nvme1n1p1), NOT the root partition!
Install now
=========
PARTITIONS: SETTING UP TIMESHIFT PARTITION
Open DISKS app
Click Unallocated and press the "+"
Choose "ext4" type filesystem.
Give it a name. MUST BE UNDER 8 CHARACTERS!!!!!!!
Choose 100 GB MINIMUM!!!!
Create

=========
PARTITIONS: SHARED PARTITION

Open DISKS app
Click Unallocated and press the "+"
Choose "exFAT" type filesystem. (Note: Can be edited by both Linux and Windows)
Give it a name. MUST BE UNDER 8 CHARACTERS!!!!!!!
Use Whatever space remains
Create
=========
PARTITIONS: TIMESHIFT BACKUPS
Open Timeshift
Select Snapshot Tpe. CHOOSE "RSYNC"
Choose the partition (nvme1n1p3? with label) as our snapshot location
Choose 3 weekly snapshots
For home/username: choose to keep hidden files
for /ROOT: choose to exclude all files
When timeshift-gtk opens, click Create, and simply create a timeshift backup.

=========
BOOT MENU DEFAULT OPTION

Open terminal
sudo xed /etc/default/grub
edit "GRUB_DEFAULT" to 2 (or whichever position windows is in)
sudo update-grub
NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAVE CHANGES VIA sudo update-grub TO COMMIT THEM!!!!!!

DONE!

#

Hope I didn't miss anything major. Thanks again for the help! 😅

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 5:18 AM

#

uh oh.. follow up issue

#

i can't modify anything on the shared directory

#

can't delete files, can't create folders, anything

#

the options are greyed out

#

hmm.. it seems this was caused by DISKS -> enable on systekm startup.
Odd this would happen

#

I am having a slew of steam issues right now. Namely that games do not want to start up unless i installed them to my linux partition.
But not the shared partition

#

Games INSTALLED to my main linux partition work.
Games INSTALLED to the Shared partition do not work. And do not work even if MOVED to the original linux partition

#

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/1gmfai0/latest_steam_update_breaks_exfat_support/

According to comments here, exFAT is not recommended for gaming and most definitively NOT recommended for Steam....

From the linux_gaming community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the linux_gaming community

#

https://www.reddit.com/r/finalcutpro/comments/pnf2f1/psa_never_use_exfat_formatted_external_drives/

This is also saying the format is bad for production work too

From the finalcutpro community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the finalcutpro community

#

@cedar fiber One more question, related to earlier.
Can I delete the Shared Partition and retroactively add more space to the Linux Partition filesystem?
Or is it too late because the Timeshift Partition came "after"?

#

would it be possible to delete/unallocate Shared_P and add that space back to Partition 2?

#

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 5:50 AM

#

yep. u can delete the shared partition, then move the TS one to the far right

#

however...

#

first undo any automounting you set up in DISKS. else more ugly issues next boot

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 5:52 AM

#

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 5:53 AM

#

u'd use gparted for moving n stuff

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 5:53 AM

#

so I take it i have to uncheck user session defaults and disable mount at startup

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 5:53 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 5:53 AM

#

so.. in other words I would have to boot back into the live session USB, and use that to allocate the free space?

.. and it won't mess up the timeshift?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 5:54 AM

#

u can just install gparted in the install

#

u can work with non-system (starred) partitions from within the running OS

#

and it's fine to move the timeshift one.. offsetting it by several trillion sectors.

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 5:56 AM

#

offsetting it by trillion sectors

.. should i worry about that?

#

i'm assuming this works as some kind of stack... in that case shouldn't I also delete the timeshift too?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 5:59 AM

#

no just move it to the far right as I mentioned, using gparted

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 6:01 AM

#

can I use DISK to delete the exFAT partition at least? (or supposedly shrink it)

#

apologies for so many late questions. I just want to go to bed too 😅

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 6:03 AM

#

u can delete it from there. remember it doesn't support shrink/grow

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

It does seem like this could get really messy because timeshift partition is immediately after in the stack. No? So there's no free space preceding or following

#

so it seems I have to delete timeshift too??? Is that correct?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 6:14 AM

#

nope just move it

#

it's UUID will stay as is, and so will its dev name

#

Timeshift program should not have any issue at all finding it

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 6:21 AM

#

What again is the drawback to having this SSD with an NTFS file format?
I recall the issue was that Windows 'freaks out' if it detects changes.
But since this partition is on a different SSD from windows, will windows still freak out?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 6:22 AM

#

not windows, but it could incur errors

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 6:23 AM

#

If not windows, then what about it could incur errors?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 6:25 AM

#

if you use ntfs actively in linux, for writing big data to it, it will start doing weird stuff, as it is not native to Linux

#

read-operations are fine

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 6:25 AM

#

So copy-pasting files to it from Linux is not a good idea?

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 6:26 AM

#

yep

pliant hatch Feb 12, 2025, 6:26 AM

#

because i also read ExFat has issues too.. so I don't know which poison to choose

cedar fiber Feb 12, 2025, 6:26 AM

#

BTRFS may be an option

#

but Windows needs a BTRFS driver installed

#Installing Mint on separate SSD with Shared Folder. Are my steps correct?