Dual Boot with Linux

[nine_tails]

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!

 

[Zefan]

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.

 

[AHarvey]

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

 

[nine_tails]

Cheers guys!