Apologies in advance for another question about partitioning!

With the imminent Windows 7 end-of-support approaching, I'm looking to reorganise my desktop PC and move to Xubuntu as a primary OS (I've used it for years on numerous laptops). I also want to have a Windows 10 install as backup for those few applications for which I'm too thick/lazy to find an alternative.

The desktop PC currently has Win7 on an SSD, with a single 2TB HDD split into three partitions - Video, Music and General. My brain understands this and it's worked for me for years. Swapping out Win7 for Win10 is straightforward, too.

Installing Xubuntu to a second SSD and booting to it by default is something I can do. It's how both SSDs can access the data- storage HDD in a sensible way that has me confused, mainly about the use of '/home'.

Can I use the HDD and its three partitions as they are currently setup? For example, how could I set up '/home/me/Video' to point to the 'Videos' partition on the HDD and not the SSD? I get the feeling it's probably trivial, but is it unnecessarily awkward or ugly? Should I instead be rethinking the HDD partitioning to better account for a Linux OS being the one used most often going forward? What might I have to consider to avoid Windows complaining thereafter?

I hope the questions make sense to someone, grateful for any advice or examples anyone can provide!

Hi Repetes3fois,

I'd honestly leave the HDD as is, install Ubuntu on the 2nd SSD, configure its home directories also on the same SSD, and just share the HDD between the Windows SSD and the Ubuntu SSD as a separate, mounted data drive.

Ex.:

- SSD 1 : Windows

- 2 TB HDD : NTFS formatted (probably already is) - shared by Windows and Ubuntu systems as separate drive

- SSD 2 : Ubuntu (whole system, homes, etc ...).


Cheers.

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Windows 7 by default installs in Legacy mode with boot code in the MBR and generally a separate boot partition.
Windows 10 by default uses UEFI if you have a GPT drive. You need both systems installed in the same mode (Legacy or UEFI) or you will have to access the BIOS firmware to boot the other system.

You can install windows 10 in Legacy mode so that's a decision you will have to make. Is your computer UEFI capable?

An entry in /etc/fstab will do that. Thousands of online tutorials on creating entries for a windows partition in fstab.

You might read the Ubuntu documentation at their site below, particularly the first part.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI

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sdd vs hdd setup and use, is no different. treat it like a hdd n respect to mounting and partitioning, gpt, mbr(msdos) tables are too the same for hdd, and ssd. a stated it can be mounted in fstab

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Thanks very much for taking the time to reply all, greatly appreciated...


Since the last reinstall of W7 a few years ago, I've had it set up for UEFI too, and the W10 SSD has been prepared in the same way.


Who knew there was a simple way to do this in Linux? I have a number of sites bookmarked ready to read at leisure.


Thanks Rick - it's reassuring to know that this is a sensible and workable option to go with, better that it's one I already understand through experience. At least until I discover just how bad W10 is and banish it forever!


Cheers again, I'll let you know how it goes.

A short update - Xubuntu installed and a first attempt at editing the fstab made. The three NTFS partitions mount as hoped for, with a minor issue when trying to move files on any of these partitions ot a wastebasket, something others have experienced and solved. I'll get to fixing that once the dreaded XFCE screen tearing goes away...


Thanks again for your most helpful advice.

make sure ntfs-3g is installed