Can I install Linux on a SanDisk drive if my Windows drive is failing?
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MellowPine47
I'm planning to switch to Linux and try CachyOS, possibly alongside Windows in a dual-boot setup. I'm not an advanced computer user, but I'm comfortable following detailed instructions and using online resources for help. Can Linux be installed and run entirely from a SanDisk drive, including a USB flash drive or external SSD? Also, my current C: drive seems to be failing or performing very poorly, with write speeds around 20 MB/s. Could that affect the Linux installation, or should I troubleshoot or replace the drive first?
Answers
Linux can run from almost any suitable storage device. If your SanDisk is an external SSD, installing Linux there should work reasonably well. A regular USB flash drive can also boot Linux, but it will usually be slower and less durable, so you’d need persistent storage for updates and installed programs. A separate internal or external SSD would be a much better long-term option.
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The slow Windows drive probably won’t limit Linux if you install Linux on a different drive, but a failing drive is still a risk during dual booting. Back up anything important first. A sudden drop from several hundred MB/s to around 20 MB/s can be caused by Windows power settings, disabled TRIM, or a nearly full SSD, though it can also indicate a drive problem. Check the drive’s health and leave roughly 20% free space before assuming it’s only a software setting.
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CachyOS may be more complicated for a first Linux installation than beginner-focused options such as Linux Mint. If you do use it, carefully follow an up-to-date installation guide and make a complete backup of Windows beforehand. Be especially careful with the EFI system partition, since deleting or modifying it incorrectly can stop Windows from booting. Keep a Windows installer USB available in case you need to repair the bootloader.
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