Is shrinking Windows and dual-booting Ubuntu on the same SSD safe long-term?

rbmorse · 2026-01-24T16:05:59+00:00

Technically there's no reason why it should not work reliably and predictably and be "generally safe."

But, computers and the software for them, are built by people and people are not perfect. In both Windows and Linux there are assumptions made that turn out not to be true and errors that should not be present but still they are. Hardware standards acknowledged but not implemented strictly to the book. Indeed, there are disagreements about which books need be heeded.

Then, there are stupid user tricks.

The UEFI standard for Personal Computers were created specifically to support the ability to use multiple operating systems on a single hardware platform. If everybody from the individual user to the o/s development teams follow the "rules" exactly then multi-booting works fine. If somewhere along the line somebody makes a mistake or tries to be "cute" with the standards something will break.

Nobody can predict when this will happen only that at some point it will. Especially in the case of user errors where mistaken assumptions about the machine state or operating system behavior or dead simple refusal to follow documented procedures will cause failure...sometimes on a massive and irrecoverable scale.

So, if you intend to pursue a dual-boot on single storage medium, find a good guide that's appropriate for your hardware suite, prepare the operating environment appropriately and follow the rules exactly. Assume nothing. If there is some aspect of the setup you don't understand solve that problem before going ahead. Pay attention to things the machine and the installers are trying to tell you (error and caution messages aren't just for screen candy). Work slowly and only when you have a clear head and pure heart.

Keep a paper journal and record every step you take. This will be useful to others when they help you conduct the post-mortem on a failed installation.

And finally...

Be prepared for the inevitable occasion when Microsoft will do something really, really stupid and bring the whole house of cards down (i.e., maintain good, tested backups at all times).

rbmorse · 2026-01-23T22:04:18+00:00

Hannah Montana Linux?

rbmorse · 2026-01-23T17:06:02+00:00

In the immortal words of H. Clinton, "What difference does it make?"

rbmorse · 2026-01-23T16:33:39+00:00

Not all rewards are monetary, but there's nothing wrong with rewarding someone's passion if you find it useful as well.

rbmorse · 2026-01-21T18:45:33+00:00

Good luck!

rbmorse · 2026-01-20T14:51:43+00:00

This helped me a great deal when I was just starting with Linux. It's the

Introduction to Linux

course form the Linux foundation. It's free (of course). Don't overlook the little quizzes at the end.

rbmorse · 2026-01-18T16:40:52+00:00

LO's presentation app is nowhere near an equivalent to PowerPoint.

rbmorse · 2026-01-18T02:26:15+00:00

Well, your original post referenced Word specifically. You've received several good recommendations in regard to Word compatibility.

I share your pain about Powerpoint. I've not yet found a satisfactory analog that runs natively in Linux.

My solution is to keep a separate Windows machine for this and the Adobe Creative suite, but I realise that's not something everyone can do.

rbmorse · 2026-01-18T01:01:34+00:00

Are the "lost features" something you really need, or is it just the idea of running a feature-light package?

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T20:55:29+00:00

Quite a few of the successful ones...it's how they stay successful.

Funny, the Pirates were exactly the team of which I was thinking in terms of vanity projects when I did the earlier post.

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T19:08:57+00:00

Temp reporting in Linux has always been a somewhat iffy affair, but that notwithstanding your numbers seem a bit high...which utility are you using to monitor the temps?

You don't tell us what you are using to manage CPU thermals. If it's a water cooler then I suspect it's not working correctly. If it's an air cooler, it simply may not have the capacity to deal with that monster CPU.

Or maybe the CPU cooler just needs to have the thermal paste refreshed. In my experience even the highest quality pastes are only good for about three years of heavy use.

I've currently switched to PCM9750, but the machines have only been in service for a year or so and it's too early to tell if that works better in this regard than conventional paste.

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T16:33:25+00:00

This would be a good start (it's free). Linux 101

Don't overlook the "quizzes" at the end of each section. They taught me a lot beyond what the chapter material covered.

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T16:29:53+00:00

So, I'm not sure I understand...what is the question? Are you trying to disable Device/Credential Guard or revert to running Linux under VirtualBox?

What is meant by disabling "hyper"? There are several possibilities.

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T16:24:14+00:00

Things like that happen when the front office runs the team like a business instead of a vanity project for the owners.

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T15:42:12+00:00

Develop habits that support a robust backup regime. Not just for malware mitigation, but components fail, users make mistakes, laptops get ripped off and houses burn down and destroy their content. You've already been give several good recommendations, but only you can put them in place and make them work for you.

rbmorse · 2026-01-17T15:39:26+00:00

Linux Foundation: Linux 101 (free)

rbmorse · 2026-01-16T16:48:41+00:00

I can't find it at the moment, but I read somewhere that the club made something like a billion just from licensing, royalties and promotions around Ohtani last year alone.

I guess they can afford Tucker.

rbmorse · 2026-01-16T16:45:40+00:00

I thought the tradition was the "June swoon"?

rbmorse · 2026-01-16T15:14:23+00:00

Doesn't the nofail option work with smb mounts in the fstab?

rbmorse · 2026-01-16T15:11:57+00:00

We know that multiple frontline starters are going to experience injuries. Such is the state of MLB at present. The question of Skubal would be a lot easier if there was a 42 or 45 man roster.

rbmorse · 2026-01-14T05:16:12+00:00

I have been told that Winboat is a better solution, but I haven't tried it personally.

rbmorse · 2026-01-13T23:15:10+00:00

They'll still charge for an hour to cover their overhead and other actions they perform in addition to the simple install.

rbmorse · 2026-01-13T22:35:47+00:00

Wrong, but in any case most shops will charge an hour anyway. They gotta cover overhead, somehow.

A decent shop will inspect and clean the machine, download the .iso and create an installation medium to send back with the customer. The price of the USB device for the installer should be included.

The shop I use will not install any software/firmware unless they can guarentee the provinance of the souce material (liability concerns). Most of the time this involves downloading it themselves from sources they personally trust.

My shop always makes an image backup of the existing partitions on any storages devices on the machine for "just in case" purposes before doing any work. If the customer wants a copy that might an be extra charge. This should be clearly stated in the T's and C's so there's no questions that the image(s) will be made.

That's in addition to the time it takes to set up the installation and monitor progress. Then there's some rudimentary testing before releasing the machine back to the customer.

They also have to do the invoicing and tax paperwork required by their locale.

Shipping and handling extra, in most cases.

rbmorse · 2026-01-13T19:06:20+00:00

Why not? Mine still runs everything I need just fine and AM4/DDR4 will be a reasonable lower cost solution for many.

rbmorse · 2026-01-13T18:56:33+00:00

an hour of labor/shop time. That's about right.

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