Will installing Linux Mint to secondary HDD modify the main SSD at all or cause any issues with GRUB?
by pinguino12 from LinuxQuestions.org on (#57GPP)
A bit of background (feel free to skip):
I've installed Linux Mint on the SSD of this computer before as dual boot setup that would ask me whether I wanted to boot into Mint or Windows 10 Pro when I powered on the computer. However, when I later removed Linux Mint, the computer still kept booting to GRUB on startup, and the BIOS kept recognizing multiple boot sources simply called "ubuntu," with absolutely no way to remove them. I resorted to wiping the disk entirely and getting a clean Windows install.
My problem now:
Well, I want to start using Linux Mint on this computer again, but I'm scared the same thing will happen. This time, I'd like to install Linux Mint Cinnamon v20 on the HDD (rather than the SSD containing Windows) of the computer, and I don't want a dual boot. I want the computer to boot to the SSD with Windows by default, and only go into Linux Mint if I enter the BIOS and select the HDD with Mint as the boot source myself.
About my computer:
HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Small Form Factor
Intel i7 4770
32GB RAM
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile 4G
1 TB SSD (contains Windows 10 Pro)
1 TB HDD (empty)
So, my question is...
If unplug my SSD, boot to a live USB with Linux Mint Cinnamon v20 to install to the HDD, then plug the SSD back in after the installation, will booting into the installed Linux Mint (from the HDD) modify the SSD at all while I'm using the operating system? (except for when I go into Mint's file explorer and access the SSD myself)
I've done a fair bit of searching and haven't found anything similar on the forums, but my Google-fu admittedly isn't the best. I apologize if this is a bad/repeated question. That being said, if anyone can answer my question, I want to give you a big thank you in advance!
I've installed Linux Mint on the SSD of this computer before as dual boot setup that would ask me whether I wanted to boot into Mint or Windows 10 Pro when I powered on the computer. However, when I later removed Linux Mint, the computer still kept booting to GRUB on startup, and the BIOS kept recognizing multiple boot sources simply called "ubuntu," with absolutely no way to remove them. I resorted to wiping the disk entirely and getting a clean Windows install.
My problem now:
Well, I want to start using Linux Mint on this computer again, but I'm scared the same thing will happen. This time, I'd like to install Linux Mint Cinnamon v20 on the HDD (rather than the SSD containing Windows) of the computer, and I don't want a dual boot. I want the computer to boot to the SSD with Windows by default, and only go into Linux Mint if I enter the BIOS and select the HDD with Mint as the boot source myself.
About my computer:
HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Small Form Factor
Intel i7 4770
32GB RAM
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile 4G
1 TB SSD (contains Windows 10 Pro)
1 TB HDD (empty)
So, my question is...
If unplug my SSD, boot to a live USB with Linux Mint Cinnamon v20 to install to the HDD, then plug the SSD back in after the installation, will booting into the installed Linux Mint (from the HDD) modify the SSD at all while I'm using the operating system? (except for when I go into Mint's file explorer and access the SSD myself)
I've done a fair bit of searching and haven't found anything similar on the forums, but my Google-fu admittedly isn't the best. I apologize if this is a bad/repeated question. That being said, if anyone can answer my question, I want to give you a big thank you in advance!