Disabling one of the SSDs on a laptop
Disabling one of the SSDs on a laptop
Hello,
I own an MSI Katana GF76 11UE laptop equipped with two M.2 SSDs. I wish to configure a dual-boot setup, where after installing the first OS on the first drive, the second OS should be installed on the second drive without enabling the first during the process. Since physically removing the first drive on a laptop can be challenging and isn’t clearly supported in BIOS, I’m unsure about the best method. Could anyone suggest an alternative approach or confirm the recommended steps?
Also, feel free to share any further details if needed.
Thanks.
Certainly, the most effective method is to physically remove the initial drive and then install the second operating system on the second drive. After that, reinstall the first drive. This process may require some effort, but it might be less troublesome than dealing with a conflicting dual-boot configuration where you can't easily disconnect the drives to fix problems. The idea is to keep one OS drive as the primary boot device and use the BIOS menu to switch to the other OS drive when needed. If you plan to use a boot loader, the situation becomes more complex, depending on the operating systems involved, and may require both drives to be available together during installation in a specific sequence. Windows often complicates matters further because Microsoft generally doesn't support dual-booting.
The responses from the two posters indicate that the simplest and most comfortable approach is outlined previously.
Here’s the rewritten version at the same length and structure:
So, you’re thinking about how everything should be arranged.
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m picturing, but now the question is how to get it done.
Well, Windows is already installed on one disk, and I’d like to add another operating system on the other one.
I get that this is the preferred method, but since it’s next to it, I was searching for a better alternative, as mentioned in a thread (though without full details).
For example, in post #5, it suggests—(my emphasis)—whether there’s a way to do this, or another approach to set things up while keeping the first drive available.
Also, just a note before I’m asked: I’m not installing Linux Mint, but I stumbled upon that discussion while looking for information.
It might not be easier because I want to install the second OS only on part of the second drive at the moment, rather than everything. But this seems like a different issue, and I might ask it later.
Feel free to let me know if I should mention it now. Thanks again for your help.
It would depend on the amount of external storage available. You could set up the initial system on the first drive, generate a snapshot of that drive using Macrium Reflect software that would be kept on an external drive, then erase the first drive. Next, install the second system on the second drive. Finally, restore the previously created image back to the first drive.
You haven't defined the second operating system, so we can simply assume it's a variant of Linux. Being able to select the boot device via the BIOS simplifies the process, at least. Also, understanding that you only need a portion of the second drive for the second OS is crucial.
To achieve your desired setup, obtain your second OS installer on a bootable USB and start the laptop from that device. Instruct the installer to format the second drive according to your preferences, then install the operating system into the designated partition, ensuring it correctly places the bootloader on that drive.
This discussion (focused on Mint) highlights an issue where the installer mistakenly inserts the bootloader into the first EFI partition instead of the one you specified. It's important to verify whether the installer has such a flaw. The fourth post explains how to use gparted to override the EFI/Boot settings on the Windows drive—this isn't the same as physically disconnecting it, since software can still access the drive but the software is designed to avoid placing the bootloader incorrectly. After installation, you must re-enable those flags.
Physically removing the other drive acts as a precaution: it stops unintended changes to the Windows drive. While not mandatory, it's highly recommended for safety. Be extremely cautious throughout the process—imagine climbing a rock face: you can ascend with or without a rope, and a rope is far more convenient than attempting free climbing. Always back up your data on the Windows drive (which you should already do) and keep a copy of the license key handy before proceeding.
It's hard to imagine a software solution that truly disconnects a drive completely. If it could, then all software would lose visibility of the drive even after the program has stopped, making reconnection impossible.
(Also noted in the conversation is the recommendation for an EFI partition size of less than 512 MB, but a larger size—such as 2-4 GB—is preferable unless your drive is very small. You won't miss the extra 3.5 GB, and you'll be well protected in the future regardless.) Resizing the EFI can be quite challenging.)
Again, thanks for the replies.
That, I guess, is an option too, but maybe I'd try the other way first. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion.
In fact, yes - it is a flavour of Linux, namely, CashyOS, which is said to use the Calamares installer. Mint, on the other hand, as per, e.g.,
this thread
(post #3) is said to use an installer called Ubiquity, I am not sure how related the two are. Also, it speaks of Grub bootloader, I mean to use rEFInd (for completeness of information - with a BTRFS filesystem), I am not sure how much of a difference this would make regarding installation.
As per the CachyOS
Wiki
(Manual Partitioning subsection, the systemd-boot&rEFInd&Limine tab) there should be one boot partition with a 2048 MiB size (I take it, this is the same as the EFI partition you mention?) and one root with at least 20000 MiB - then, all the rest of the free space could go here? I suppose I would go with this setup for the type of installation I am after?
Which also brings us to the question of partition layout, which is probably a separate topic, but briefly - I have come across opinions that for an SSD and 16 or more GB of RAM a swap partition is not necessary, and I have both, so I suppose I don't need to set one up? Also, it is said that since BTRFS creates subvolumes, similar to partitioning, there would be no need for, e. g., a separate home partition, either? Especially keeping in mind possible furure resizing (I might want to give Linux more space later), it is maybe better to have fewer partitions?
I think I will stop here for now, thanks for any info.
Discussions about bootloader selection and partitioning should ideally be directed to the Open Source section (whether it gets relocated or a new topic is opened), as this topic is moving away from its original focus. Those most qualified to address these issues will avoid encountering them here. I won't provide any suggestions on how to proceed, since removing the Win drive could lead to confusion and potentially corrupt the system.
Sure, to summarize, you wouldn't have to turn off the drive. Instead, you could free up space—perhaps by reducing the partition size within Windows—and then start from the live USB, installing there as though it were the sole drive available.