Is a safe transition to Linux possible?

Slavka2014-01-02 22:59:49

linux

Slavka, 2014-01-02 22:59:49

In general, they introduced me to Linux at the university and I liked it ... I decided to put it on a netbook for complete immersion, but I want to put it next to Windows. Is this possible without data loss? for example, on C: (win) put the root "/" 15GB and / home cut off from D: 70GB (is this enough? If it is used purely for teaching programming). What are the chances that I will lose data on C and D? the teacher and friends say that they calmly do it with regular means, but on the Internet they write that this is a big risk? I myself have only installed Linux Mint 15 on a virtual machine, but you yourself understand this perversion on a netbook.

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12 answer(s)

Vladlen Grachev, 2014-01-03
@gwer

The whole point is to “cut off” a piece from the existing partitions, on which Linux will be placed. Using a utility like Acronis, you can painlessly reduce the size of existing logical partitions, the cut off part will go to an unallocated area, with which you can then do whatever you want. All these operations have been debugged for a long time, and problems, if they arise, are in the case when the disk or file system is already on the verge of death.
The problem may arise if you want to cut off pieces from different logical partitions and merge these pieces into one. But since such a task is not worth it, there is nothing to be afraid of.
And yes, data loss is a scenario that can occur at any time. Just make backups.

seniorivn, 2014-01-02
@seniorivn

Indeed, there is a risk, but it is theoretical, I have not met a single sad case, provided that everything is done correctly.

Maxim Kotov, 2014-01-02
@Kotov

It's already funny.
There are a lot of tutorials on the Internet on the topic of installing Linux in all poses.

Mandor, 2014-01-02
@Mandor

The chance that the OS (any of them) will overwrite some data on a disk partition unknown to it is extremely small. This should never happen, unless there are some bugs from which no one is immune.
The only bottleneck is the bootloader, it is logical that it should be able to load both Windows and Linux, be located and have access to both sections. In general, after starting the operating system, you don’t have to worry about another partition, especially if you don’t mount it.
PS At one time, both Linux and Windows lived on my laptop at the same time, everything seemed to be fine.

Vlad Zhivotnev, 2014-01-03
@inkvizitor68sl

"Cut off" from the section all the softs are quite lousy (due to the design of modern FS). On ssd, such an operation could be painless, if not .. Well, let's not talk about sad things.
I advise you to backup disk D entirely, cut the necessary partitions from it (for example, / for 30 GB to start with and the rest in ntfs). Separating /home doesn't make much sense in your case. It will be possible to store large data on ntfs (and there will be access to them from under the booths).

MrFrizzy, 2014-01-03
@MrFrizzy

I met craftsmen who formatted the disk completely for themselves ...
In modern distributions there is a normal graphical installation, at the disk selection stage, select manual partitioning or an acceptable option "move the main partition with Windows", but in no case not the entire disk.
Now regarding the partitions:
you don’t touch the C drive with Windows if you want to use it. You cut off the desired space from the D drive: for / I have enough 3 GB in excess, + for /home as much as you think is necessary (the approximate weight of your files).
Loading Linux and Windows in turn organizes the grub2 bootloader, it is installed from Linux. If you then reinstall Windows, it will overwrite it and you will need to restore it using livecd.
If it's scary for the first time - virtual box to help.

Puma Thailand, 2014-01-03
@opium

Any operation with disks is a risk, make backups and live in peace

link_irk, 2014-01-03
@link_irk

Alternatively, you can try en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wubi
This utility allows you to install/uninstall Ubuntu like a normal Windows application.
But, the latest version of Ubuntu supported by this utility is 3 releases older than the current one. Although, IMHO, installing LTS releases is a good start to Linux practice.

Ilya Evseev, 2014-01-03
@IlyaEvseev

Step 1. Boot Acronis Disk Director from USB-stick, reduce existing partitions:
rutracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3939918
Step 2. Install Ubuntu and be sure to select manual disk partitioning:
massimomusante.blogspot.ru/2013/06 /back-to-ubuntu-...
Step 3. Create three additional partitions: swap (1-2 gigs), / (8-20 gigs) and /home (everything else minus 10 gigs in reserve).
If you are afraid, first work out all the steps in VirtualBox - install Windows on the entire virtual disk, compress with Acronis, install Ubuntu, check booting into Ubuntu and Windows.

afiskon, 2014-01-03
@afiskon

Try Cygwin + to work exclusively with software that is available for both Linux and Windows (see for example, tynts and tynts ). When you notice that all the programs you use are also under Linux, just demolish Windows and install Ubuntu. If ssykatno, then first try under the virtual machine.

Slavka, 2014-01-06
@Slavka_online

Is 10-15GB enough to install prog in excess? for example, if all multimedia is on ntfs, then 20GB is enough for /home (books, documents)

Snow Dimon, 2014-01-09
@Snowdimon

In general, they introduced me to Linux at the university and I liked it ..

Are you talking about drugs?