linux distribution Archives - tektoc

How to Safely Install Linux Mint on a Second Drive (Legacy BIOS)

Graeme — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:21:19 +0000

If you have an older desktop or laptop sitting around, it is easy to assume its best days are behind it. But before you relegate that reliable old machine to a closet or a recycling center, there is a wonderful project you can tackle this weekend that will make it feel brand new again. By choosing to install Linux Mint on that computer, you can breathe fresh, snappy life into aging hardware without spending a dime.

The best part? You do not have to give up your familiar setup or risk losing anything to try it. In my latest video, I walk you through how to put Linux Mint on a completely separate second drive, leaving your existing Windows installation entirely untouched and completely safe.

The Magic of the Two-Drive Setup

A lot of people hesitate to try Linux because they are worried about accidental data loss or making their computer too complicated to use. That is why the dual-drive method is such a beautiful solution.

Think of it like having two completely separate houses on the same street. Windows stays in its house, and Linux Mint moves into its own brand-new house on the second drive. They share the same computer hardware, but their files, boot systems, and updates never cross paths or interfere with one another. If you ever decide Linux isn’t for you, you can simply remove or wipe that second drive, and your Windows system will behave as if nothing ever happened. It is the ultimate low-risk, high-reward way to explore something new.

In the video, I also share a simple organizational trick that most standard tutorials completely skip over. I will show you how to split your Linux drive into two distinct zones: one for the operating system itself, and one specifically for your personal files like photos and documents. It takes less than a minute to set up, but it gives you incredible flexibility down the road.

Demystifying the Tech: UEFI vs Legacy Boot

One of the biggest hurdles that trips people up when playing with older computers is the technical jargon around how computers turn on. Specifically, understanding the difference between uefi vs legacy boot can mean the difference between a smooth setup and a frustrating blank screen.

Legacy BIOS: This is the traditional, text-only system that has been running on millions of computers since the 1980s. It is incredibly reliable, but it requires specific settings when you are creating your installation media.
UEFI: This is the modern standard that started taking over around 2012. It features pretty graphics and handles newer, massive hard drives differently.

If your computer is an old friend that has been with you for over a decade, there is a very good chance it’s using Legacy BIOS. In the video, I show you a simple, 5-second trick right inside Windows to check exactly which version your machine uses.

Once we know what your computer is running, I will guide you through using a free tool called Rufus to format your USB installer perfectly. Getting this step right is critical, because if you use modern settings on an older Legacy machine, the computer won’t even realize the USB drive is plugged in.

Ready to Bring Your Old PC Back to Life?

You do not need a PhD in computer science to make this happen. You just need a standard USB thumb drive, a few spare minutes, and a willingness to follow along.

I designed the video guide to be a safe harbor from the usual overwhelming tech-bro tutorials. We go through the entire process of installing Linux Mint together, step-by-step, at a comfortable pace. I will show you exactly how to navigate those old text-based menus, how to safely select your second drive without ever bothering Windows, and how to set up a clean startup menu so you can easily choose between Windows and Linux Mint every time you turn your computer on.

Grab a coffee, click the video above, and let’s get that old computer running like new again!

As Promised in the Video: Recommended Sabrent M.2 NVME to PCIe Adapter Cards

(The links below are affiliate links. I may earn a commission on any purchase which does not affect the price you pay and helps me fund this site and my YouTube channel.)

Single PCIe Gen 3:

See it on Amazon!

Single PCIe Gen 5:

See it on Amazon!

4-drive PCIe Gen 3:

See it on Amazon!

4-Drive PCIe Gen 4:

See it on Amazon!

How to Install Linux Mint on an External SSD — Without Touching Windows

Graeme — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:31:52 +0000

If you’ve been curious about Linux but weren’t ready to commit to replacing Windows, this tutorial is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. In this video, I walk you through how to install Linux Mint on an external SSD — giving you a fully working Linux system that lives on a portable drive you can plug in whenever you want, while your Windows installation stays completely untouched.

This method is a fantastic alternative to traditional dual-booting, and it’s one of the safest ways for beginners to explore Linux without the risk of losing files or accidentally overwriting Windows.

What You’ll Need

Before you get started, you’ll want to have three things on hand: an external SSD (much better than a standard USB flash drive for speed and reliability), a smaller USB thumb drive of at least 8GB to use as the Linux installer, and a Windows PC.

You’ll also need to take a couple of preparatory steps in your computer’s BIOS settings. Specifically, you’ll want to disable Fast Boot and Secure Boot before you begin. If you use BitLocker to encrypt your drive, make sure that’s decrypted first as well — the video covers this in plain, easy-to-follow language.

Creating the Linux Mint Installer

The tutorial covers downloading the Linux Mint ISO (the Cinnamon edition is recommended for its familiar, Windows-like look and feel) and using a free tool called BalenaEtcher to flash that ISO onto your small USB thumb drive. This turns the thumb drive into your installation media.

The Install Process — And the Critical Step

Once you boot from the USB installer using your computer’s Boot Options Menu, the installation process itself is straightforward — but there is one step where you need to pay close attention.

When the Linux Mint installer asks how you want to set up your storage, you must choose “Something Else” rather than the automatic option. This is what allows you to manually tell the installer to put everything — including the bootloader — on your external SSD rather than on your internal Windows drive. The video walks through this partitioning step carefully, including how to set up the required EFI, root, and home partitions.

The Result: A Truly Portable Linux System

After installation, the video demonstrates the best part: with the external SSD unplugged, the computer boots straight into Windows as normal. Plug the SSD back in, select it from the boot menu, and you’re in Linux Mint. Two operating systems, zero compromises.

Whether you’re exploring Linux for the first time or looking for a safe way to learn without risking your Windows setup, this approach is highly recommended.

Watch the full step-by-step tutorial in the video at the top of this page!

As always, make sure you have a backup of your data before taking on a project like this – just in case!

How to Dual Boot Windows and Zorin OS on a Second Drive

Graeme — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:02:10 +0000

Dual Booting Windows and Linux With a Second Hard Drive/SSD

If you’ve ever wanted to explore Linux but don’t want to give up Windows entirely, setting up a dual boot system is the best way to go. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to dual boot Windows and Zorin OS safely by installing Zorin on a second hard drive.

Zorin OS is one of the most user-friendly Linux distributions, designed to feel familiar to Windows users. The process begins by downloading the latest Zorin ISO file from the official website and using Rufus in Windows to create a bootable USB drive. Once that’s ready, reboot your PC, enter your BIOS or boot menu, and start the Zorin installer.

When prompted, choose “Erase disk and install Zorin OS” and select your second drive as the installation target. This ensures your Windows installation remains untouched. The Zorin OS install media will automatically look after all the necessary partitioning for the installation. After installation, your PC will automatically configure a boot menu allowing you to choose between Windows and Zorin at startup.

Once you boot into Zorin for the first time, update your system using the built-in Software Updater or Terminal. Then, you can easily access your Windows drive from the Zorin file manager to move your documents, pictures, and other files.

With this setup, you can enjoy the speed, privacy, and flexibility of Linux while keeping your Windows environment available whenever you need it.

Watch the full video tutorial below to see each step in action and learn how to install Zorin OS on a second drive safely and efficiently.

The post How to Dual Boot Windows and Zorin OS on a Second Drive appeared first on tektoc.

How to Choose the Right Linux Distribution | Best Linux for Beginners Explained

Graeme — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:36:29 +0000

With So Many Linux Distributions Out There….How Do You Choose?

If you’ve ever thought about switching to Linux, you’ve probably discovered that the hardest part isn’t the installation—it’s choosing which Linux distribution to install. With over 600 options, the choice can feel overwhelming, especially if you are looking for the best Linux for beginners.

In this guide, we’ll break down the three main Linux families to help you make sense of it all.

Arch-based distributions (like Manjaro or SteamOS) deliver cutting-edge updates and customization options but require more technical knowledge. They’re ideal for users who love tinkering and don’t mind occasional troubleshooting.

Fedora-based distributions (such as Nobara and Ultramarine) are backed by Red Hat and balance modern features with reliability. They’re a solid choice for professionals and developers who want up-to-date software.

Debian-based distributions (including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS) emphasize stability, ease of use, and community support. They’re perfect for beginners and those seeking a dependable everyday system.

Once you know which category fits your style, consider your goals. Do you want something that looks and feels like Windows? Linux Mint or Zorin OS might be your best bet. Are you more interested in learning the ins and outs of Linux? Ubuntu or Fedora are great places to start.

Finally, test your shortlist! Run Linux live from a USB drive and check hardware compatibility, speed, and usability.

Remember: there’s no single “best” Linux distribution—only the best one for you.

Check out the video above for a more in-depth look at selecting the best Linux distribution for you!

NOTE: some corrections have been made to the video since it was first published:

2:25 As mentioned by a number of viewers, Fedora is, in fact, strongly oriented toward open-source software as opposed to proprietary software. Sorry for the confusion on that.

12:25 As viewer @privacyvalued4134 has pointed out, when testing Linux on a thumb drive the OS is loaded into memory, so you only need a thumb drive big enough for the ISO. This ALSO means that any applications you install or files you save will not persist after shutdown/restart, so keep your PC running until your testing session is done.

The post How to Choose the Right Linux Distribution | Best Linux for Beginners Explained appeared first on tektoc.

linux distribution Archives - tektoc

How to Safely Install Linux Mint on a Second Drive (Legacy BIOS)

The Magic of the Two-Drive Setup

Demystifying the Tech: UEFI vs Legacy Boot

Ready to Bring Your Old PC Back to Life?

As Promised in the Video: Recommended Sabrent M.2 NVME to PCIe Adapter Cards

Recent Posts

How to Install Linux Mint on an External SSD — Without Touching Windows

What You’ll Need

Creating the Linux Mint Installer

The Install Process — And the Critical Step

The Result: A Truly Portable Linux System

Other Linux install tutorials on tektoc:

Inexpensive drive enclosures and SSDs on Amazon

Recent Posts

How to Dual Boot Windows and Zorin OS on a Second Drive

Dual Booting Windows and Linux With a Second Hard Drive/SSD

How to Choose the Right Linux Distribution | Best Linux for Beginners Explained

With So Many Linux Distributions Out There….How Do You Choose?

Check out the video above for a more in-depth look at selecting the best Linux distribution for you!