Dual Boot with Linux

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Hello!

I have currently windows 10 installed on an SSD. I want to add another SSD and install linux on it and end up with a dual boot. Is this possible or do i need to do a fresh install of both the OS to get the MBR right?


Motherboard : GA-Z170XP-SLI

Storage Interface
Chipset:
  1. 1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA & PCIe x4/x2/x1 SSD support)
  2. 3 x SATA Express connectors
  3. 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  4. Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
    * Refer to "1-8 Internal Connectors," for the supported configurations with the M.2, SATA Express, and SATA connectors.

I am guessing i cannot add another SSD due to the interface. Can some one confirm please?

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
You only have one M2 connection, so you cannot add any more disks that need an M2 connection, but you have multiple SATA connectors, so - assuming you're not using all 6 already - you could add a SATA SSD.

As for having to reinstall OSs, that would only be a problem if you were installing Linux/Unix type OS and Windows to the same disk. Even then, you don't always have to reinstall Windows, but I can't remember the specifics off the top of my head. A quick Google would bring up multiple guides on it. Anyway, you're in luck; because you're planning on installing to separate disks, you shouldn't have any problem whatsoever. After installation you should simply be able to select a disk to boot from and it'll just work.
 
Install Windows first, Install Linux distro second.

Linux will set up GRUB and you can choose which OS to load on boot up. Although, I've never done it over 2 disks only on the same hdd/SSD.

Another option would be to run Linux from within Windows. I know Win10 was adding this as a native option or something like VMWare :)
 
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