Optimized storage layout for dual operating system setup
Optimized storage layout for dual operating system setup
For your dual-boot setup, create partitions as follows:
- Boot1: ext2 (swap)
- Boot2: ext2 (swap)
- Linux1: ext4 (home)
- Linux2: ext4 (home)
Swap can be exchanged among distributions. The rest appears okay. /boot can use ext4 just like the others, though it's not crucial. Each installation should have its own /boot and partitions, while /home and swap can be shared. Be aware of compatibility issues for locally installed software if you're switching between very different distros. Dual boot is typically for running multiple operating systems together. For testing, you can simply live boot.
Hello @tikker, thanks for your response. I'm using the same distribution. The second one is just a backup in case something goes wrong. Now I have: ext2 /boot primary, ext2 /boot primary, ext4 logical swap, ext4 logical /home, and ext4 logical. When I click "install now," which partition will be used? I don't want two partitions and the installer is throwing an error!
Consider a more straightforward approach. Refer to my previous discussion. The method seems overly complicated.
You don't create all partitions from one setup. Just make partitions for the distribution you plan to use first, leaving space open, and add partitions later when installing the second one. Some installers let you create partitions individually and then set mount points. Be careful not to reformat /home unless necessary, as it could cause problems. Remember tikkers' warnings about sharing /home; it might lead to unexpected issues like different Firefox versions or desktop environments breaking things. Also, ensure the UIDs and GIDs for users match if you want to share the home directory. Using different user names can still help share files between distributions.