I’m looking to finally use Linux properly and I’m planning to dual boot my laptop. There’s enough storage to go around, and while I’m comfortable messing around I’d rather not have to run and buy a new device before school while fixing my current one.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VaIgbTOvAd0
This was the general guide I was planning to follow, just with KDE Plasma (or another KDE). I was going to keep windows the default, and boot into Linux as needed when I had time to learn and practice.
I assume it should be the near similar process for KDE Plasma?
I’m ok with things going wrong with the Linux install, but I’d like to keep the Windows install as safe as possible.
Turn off secure boot and just check if anyone has ever run your device with linux before. And kde plasma is a de not a distro.
You can leave on secure boot nowadays if you install and configure the sbctl package. It can use the Windows secure boot method, and you’ll have a successful dual boot deployment.
Good to know
Do I need to turn it off initially and re-enable it after?
I’m a little unsure of when secure boot becomes a problem
For a distribution like Fedora, it’s usually not required to turn off secure boot. You’ll know if it’s needed when booting the install USB, as it’ll give a “security policy” (or similar) warning.
Other things of note when dual booting are Windows “Fast Boot” and “Hibernation” features, which can put hardware in a state where it is unusable from Linux. Turning those off in Windows can fix things like your network interface not working. Windows also stores the time in a different way than Linux, if you are in a non-utc timezone, setting up NTP (automatically syncing date and time) on both Windows and Linux can help.
This is solid advice.
Only thing I would add is if you use a different OS that doesn’t support secure boot during install, go ahead and disable it. After you install linux, then go through the sbctl setup, and it’ll tell you when you should re-enable secure boot.
Thank you!
For me this didnt do anything. You need to reboot, and when the screen is black, force kill by pressing the power button. Lol Windows.
There also is a specific shutdown command with some parameters to force that. You can create a .bat file on your Desktop and use that to really shutdown your PC.
Thank you!
Thats what I thought. Secure boot normally needs a distro signed by damn Microsoft. This only applies for official Ubuntu spins and Fedora. Maybe some others. But the distro can create its own secureboot entry once running, and then you can enable it again.
Whoops, I think what I meant was Kubuntu. I’ve been watching videos on what each thing is like and after many “GNOME vs. KDE Plasma”, that’s all I remember
edit: either that or Manjaro. Was going to try one while keeping the other in mind for when I eventually decide to start all over again
Please avoid Manjaro. I’ve had my Manjaro install break more than any other distro. If you want something arch based, you’re better off installing Arch from scratch, using the arch install script, or using EndeavorOS. All three of these options use the normal arch repositories which are far more stable than the Manjaro ones, and also offer much better compatibility with the AUR
Oh intersting, ok good to know!
Jumping in to parrot the arch install script advice. It’s easy, has a fair amount of flexibility, and gives you a rock solid base to build on.
One other thing to mention once you’ve grown comfortable is looking into systemd-boot. I got fed up with dual boot issues and moving away from grub solved for them.
Best of luck.
No manjaro never do it
Yeah, definitely would avoid. I’ve had to reinstall twice on desktop, twice on mobile due to update breakage. Mint is a great starting point. Kubuntu if you don’t mind snaps and like KDE.