I'm completely new to Linux but really want to dive in and learn. I've got a decent desktop, and I just picked up an old IBM T60 laptop to experiment with Linux, possibly Puppy Linux since it's lightweight. I'm eager to start, so I was thinking about booting Linux from a USB stick on my desktop. I'm wary about data loss, though, especially if I decide to dual boot since I do have extra storage drives available. I've got a 64GB and a 128GB USB stick—are either of those safe to use? Any additional tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
1 Answer
Data loss usually occurs if you accidentally tell the system to delete something it shouldn't. I recommend setting up a live USB to try Linux out. It might be slower since it's running off a USB, but it minimizes the risk of messing up your current OS.
That worked well for me too! I disconnected my Windows drive to avoid selecting it by mistake. The live USB setup went smoothly, and it took about 15-20 minutes to get everything running. Linux is working perfectly now!