Hello Everyone,
I discovered Linux as a now "friendly" OS that you can use on a daily basis about a year ago. The first time I heard about Linux was back in 2002 and I was told that it was very specific and super user oriented and not for someone who only knows Windows and does not program. So going from a year ago now I have been wanting to "dual-boot" Linux with Windows and hopefully migrate to Linux full time. I built a brand new computer with Several different hard drives to start my journey. A small 60GB SSD for Windows (OS and key programs only), a 500GB for Linux (all things related), and a 1TB for storage of various things. My first attempt with Linux was with Ubuntu 13.10/14.04. Neither one would load or respond correctly when trying to communicate with/through my motherboard (Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 Rev. 4). I had issues with the LAN, graphics, USB ports, etc. I later found out that this board, particularly this revision, is not very Linux friendly with its Realtek drivers. In the end, I ended doing a failed install and shortly thereafter completely wiped the 500GB drive of the "failed" Ubuntu. At the time I didn't realize that after wiping the hard drive, I also screwed the MBR for my Windows install on my SSD and had to eventually wipe that as well after a failed repair and install. Now I am back to the beginning, Windows on the SSD, and a blank 500GB HDD waiting to go. After looking around about different distributions and "boot options" I came across openSUSE and was impressed. I found it to be more likeable than Ubuntu, and from what I read less invasive on information collection (Ubuntu DASH searches) and more proud to promote Linux as a whole and FOSS, unlike Canonical (Which now that I have done some reading, seems like the Apple of Linux. Only about them, their product, and tries to act like it's not apart of FOSS/GNU. A Mac is a PC, those commercials didn't fool me). I don't want to screw anything up now when I go forward with openSUSE. I want it to hopefully work right, the first time, and not break anything...again. I currently have openSUSE 13.1 installed on an old external HDD hooked up to my laptop. I used the method provided here "http://forums.opensuse.org/entry.php/150-Installing-openSUSE-13-1-onto-an-External-Hard-Drive". Could I use that method to perform the same task with my 500GB internal hard drive and change the boot order in my motherboard? I have been able to check out the KDE live disc and found to have working LAN connection and responsive graphics with this motherboard, so I figure the next step is to install, but that is what worries me and I want to know if that method would be safe and feasible for an internal drive. If tweaks need to be made when creating the partitions for security, stability, and or upgradability that is fine. I just want to know if you guys think that method posted in the link would work for the safest option. I'm not interested in dual booting from the same drive, I want them on separate hard drives, and I don't want to mess around with the MBRs and which one is which drive and who has priority.
Thank you for any guidance, help, or input that can be provided.
I discovered Linux as a now "friendly" OS that you can use on a daily basis about a year ago. The first time I heard about Linux was back in 2002 and I was told that it was very specific and super user oriented and not for someone who only knows Windows and does not program. So going from a year ago now I have been wanting to "dual-boot" Linux with Windows and hopefully migrate to Linux full time. I built a brand new computer with Several different hard drives to start my journey. A small 60GB SSD for Windows (OS and key programs only), a 500GB for Linux (all things related), and a 1TB for storage of various things. My first attempt with Linux was with Ubuntu 13.10/14.04. Neither one would load or respond correctly when trying to communicate with/through my motherboard (Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 Rev. 4). I had issues with the LAN, graphics, USB ports, etc. I later found out that this board, particularly this revision, is not very Linux friendly with its Realtek drivers. In the end, I ended doing a failed install and shortly thereafter completely wiped the 500GB drive of the "failed" Ubuntu. At the time I didn't realize that after wiping the hard drive, I also screwed the MBR for my Windows install on my SSD and had to eventually wipe that as well after a failed repair and install. Now I am back to the beginning, Windows on the SSD, and a blank 500GB HDD waiting to go. After looking around about different distributions and "boot options" I came across openSUSE and was impressed. I found it to be more likeable than Ubuntu, and from what I read less invasive on information collection (Ubuntu DASH searches) and more proud to promote Linux as a whole and FOSS, unlike Canonical (Which now that I have done some reading, seems like the Apple of Linux. Only about them, their product, and tries to act like it's not apart of FOSS/GNU. A Mac is a PC, those commercials didn't fool me). I don't want to screw anything up now when I go forward with openSUSE. I want it to hopefully work right, the first time, and not break anything...again. I currently have openSUSE 13.1 installed on an old external HDD hooked up to my laptop. I used the method provided here "http://forums.opensuse.org/entry.php/150-Installing-openSUSE-13-1-onto-an-External-Hard-Drive". Could I use that method to perform the same task with my 500GB internal hard drive and change the boot order in my motherboard? I have been able to check out the KDE live disc and found to have working LAN connection and responsive graphics with this motherboard, so I figure the next step is to install, but that is what worries me and I want to know if that method would be safe and feasible for an internal drive. If tweaks need to be made when creating the partitions for security, stability, and or upgradability that is fine. I just want to know if you guys think that method posted in the link would work for the safest option. I'm not interested in dual booting from the same drive, I want them on separate hard drives, and I don't want to mess around with the MBRs and which one is which drive and who has priority.
Thank you for any guidance, help, or input that can be provided.