Parallel installing Zorin OS (vs. "Dual Boot")

[John57]

First, as opposed to “Dual Boot”, would like to “parallel Boot”;

That is, Lenovo ThinkStation P720 has 2 Bootable NVMe slots.

NVMe 1 is “C:\” drive, with win11Pro Installed.

Referring to Image 2 - “NVMe 2 Annotated” should explain available drives;

Blue indicates NVMe drives 1 & 2 (C:\ and D:\ respectively)

Red (nka drive “E:\”) indicates a RAID 0 array, via ASUS Host Bus adapter( VROCSTANMOD Key + 4x 2TB 990PRO M.2 NVMe

Green (nka drive “F:\”) indicates Intel BIOS-based RAID (10) array via O/B Intel C600+/C220+ chipset.

With “F12”. I can select which drive for Startup.

Idea is to boot to “D:\” drive, where Zorin 18 will be installed.

That said, to the point:

Once at the “Install Zorin18” point, several options appear (reference posted images)

”Type of Install”;

”This computer currently has multiple operating systems on it. What would you like to do?”

Install Zorin OS alongside them

Erase disk and install Zorin OS

Something else

Is “Something else” the correct option? (I do not understand the screen options

(See Image 3 – somethingelse)

..or I missed something (somehow, I had this working, last year... just don’t remember how)

p.s.
could remove NVMe 1 (C:\win11)

then install directly to NVMe 2 “D:\”” and prioritize in BIOS.

I also vaguely recall an option screen popping up in previous installations; again, somehow…

Thanks for any useful information

John

[swarfendor437]

Hi, The 'something else' is the best option. What happens here is that selecting this option launches Gnome Partition Editor (GParted).

My only concern is you mention some RAID arrays, and Zorin cannot be installed with the BIOS set to RAID, it has to be set to AHCI.

In terms of installation method, I recommend Ventoy as it includes a MOK utility for registering Zorin in the existing EFI settings in the BIOS, or you may prefer to use Rufus and ensure you use EFI and GPT partitioning.

Personally I would disable your first NVME drive that has Windows on it to ensure there is no chance of overwriting Windows.

I have given advice on partition settings elsewhere on the forum, GNU/Linux does not use Gb or Mb, it uses MiB (MebiBytes).

I am going to leave it here. Our dog passed away yesterday. I will leave it to the rest of the gang. Good Luck.

[Ponce-De-Leon]

Yes, definetely the ''Something else'' Option. This Option is for set up manually the Partitions. You can choose the Driver, where You want install Zorin and then set up the Partitions. That is for Your Setup in my Opinion the best Solution.

[John57]

Thanks all...
however, unsure what to do at this "something else" screen.

Or, "plan B":
Removing NVMe drive with win install (i.e. NVME1),
Install Zorin on NVMe2... can set drive priorities in BIOS.
Long before, I had inadvertently set this up where a screen offering choice popped up... still not sure how I did this... regardless, my "F12" (Booting via NVME2) option will serve me well.
Again, many thanks.
john