Quandary - Get New Desktop or Re-install Win10 in My Dual Boot System?

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  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 / Linux Mint 18.1 (Dual Boot)
       #1

    Quandary - Get New Desktop or Re-install Win10 in My Dual Boot System?


    My Win10 got corrupted on an update a couple of years ago. Can't repair it, can't even access it. So I just ordered a Win10 DVD with product key.

    The desktop PC is now 8 years old with legacy Bios, etc. I'm thinking of installing the Win10 OS to replace the corrupted one and then get a new desktop PC. I can use the old one for other purposes until it dies.

    The HDD is a dual-boot with the bad Win10 and Linux Mint 18.1 I've read through Shawn Brink's tutorial on doing a clean install of Win10 and some other threads. I just want to make sure that the new Win10 DVD only replaces the bad Win10 partition(s) and doesn't affect the Linux partitions. Also want to downsize the Win10 partition to free up space for the Linux OS for a restore function.

    Here's the HDD partitions:

    Quandary - Get New Desktop or Re-install Win10 in My Dual Boot System?-gparted.png


    I think Win10 is on Partition 3. I welcome opinions on whether to get a new PC or just press on with the old one. Thanks.

    [Tomcat F14helped me with the partition issue previously but now not sure which path to take based on my message above]
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Quandary - Get New Desktop or Re-install Win10 in My Dual Boot System?-hdd-17-aug-19.png  
    Last edited by rvnmedic68; 18 Aug 2019 at 09:37. Reason: Older post of mine was similar, now a different issue.
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  2. Posts : 1,807
    Windows 10 Pro 21H1 19043.1348
       #2

    It all depends on your budget. The safest and least expensive solution is to pull the HDD, install an SSD and do a clean install. Later you can adjust partitions on the old HDD and be sure to not lose any of your Linux stuff.

    Reserve the SSD for your OS, resize partitions on the HDD and use it for Linux and data storage.

    An SSD upgrade will produce the greatest performance increase for the least amount of $. If you only have 6GB of RAM more memory would also be a good idea. 8 GB sticks are well priced these days.
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  3. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 / Linux Mint 18.1 (Dual Boot)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    W10 Tweaker said:
    It all depends on your budget. The safest and least expensive solution is to pull the HDD, install an SSD and do a clean install. Later you can adjust partitions on the old HDD and be sure to not lose any of your Linux stuff.

    Reserve the SSD for your OS, resize partitions on the HDD and use it for Linux and data storage.

    An SSD upgrade will produce the greatest performance increase for the least amount of $. If you only have 6GB of RAM more memory would also be a good idea. 8 GB sticks are well priced these days.
    Sounds reasonable, but will the SSD play nicely with a legacy Bios and other "outdated" things? I do have 8 GB of RAM, need to update my system specs.
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  4. Posts : 1,807
    Windows 10 Pro 21H1 19043.1348
       #4

    Last week I installed a Kingston 240GB SSD into a 9 or 10 year old old Dell laptop with 8 GB RAM with a legacy bios. It works fabulous so far. Boot times and shutdowns are now seconds instead of minutes.

    You may require to update some drivers but unless you're using some ancient legacy apps, it should work well.
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  5. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 / Linux Mint 18.1 (Dual Boot)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    W10 Tweaker said:
    Last week I installed a Kingston 240GB SSD into a 9 or 10 year old old Dell laptop with 8 GB RAM with a legacy bios. It works fabulous so far. Boot times and shutdowns are now seconds instead of minutes.

    You may require to update some drivers but unless you're using some ancient legacy apps, it should work well.
    Thanks. A further question, please. I don't know the build of the Win10 DVD that's on the way. When I install it, does Win10 skip builds to install the latest version or have to stair step up to the newest one?

    (BTW, we live in upstate NY (NE of Syracuse) and travel through Ontario when visiting our daughter in MI. Usually stay overnight in London)
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  6. Posts : 1,807
    Windows 10 Pro 21H1 19043.1348
       #6

    rvnmedic68 said:
    Thanks. A further question, please. I don't know the build of the Win10 DVD that's on the way. When I install it, does Win10 skip builds to install the latest version or have to stair step up to the newest one?
    You're most welcome. To the best of my knowledge, if you buy a windows disk it will be of a specific version. This information should be available from the supplier or be detailed in the fine print of your order.

    It is your responsibility to run WUP to keep your OS current, that is if you have chosen to rejig the default settings. I chose to download an ISO for Win10 1809 because I have that OS on my other laptop and I'm satisfied that it's stable and without grief.

    One benefit of installing an older version that has been proven stable and functional for an old pc such as my Dell is that WUP will inform me if the Dell is ready for the latest version or not.

    Not rushing for the latest update has proven beneficial for me, not that I had any interest is upgrading. The latest 1903 was offered by WUP about 2 months ago for my primary MSI laptop. A few days ago WUP has decided that my MSI is not ready.

    I'll wait till ms works out the bugs and fixes brightness and taskbar issues.


    rvnmedic68 said:
    (BTW, we live in upstate NY (NE of Syracuse) and travel through Ontario when visiting our daughter in MI. Usually stay overnight in London)
    I'm about 35 minutes from Ogdensburg, NY and have a POB there. Even with a marginal US$ exchange rate, I still save lots of money buying scuba equipment from the US.
    Last edited by W10 Tweaker; 18 Aug 2019 at 14:29.
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  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    rvnmedic68 said:
    Thanks. A further question, please. I don't know the build of the Win10 DVD that's on the way. When I install it, does Win10 skip builds to install the latest version or have to stair step up to the newest one?

    (BTW, we live in upstate NY (NE of Syracuse) and travel through Ontario when visiting our daughter in MI. Usually stay overnight in London)
    You didn't need to buy a DVD at all for your computer. You can download Windows 10 for free from Microsoft and it will be the latest version:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

    My advice also is to install a 2.5" SATA SSD in the existing computer and see how you like it. 120-128 GB ssd is less than $25 now. 240-256 GB is less than $50. 2.5" SATA SSDs are direct replacements for HDDs, other than their smaller size than desktop HDDs but you can just velcro them in a free spot, some desktop cases have specific places for them, or you can buy a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter.

    If you aren't happy with the SSD in the existing computer, you can always move it to a new computer if you decide that is what you want.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 / Linux Mint 18.1 (Dual Boot)
    Thread Starter
       #8

    W10 Tweaker said:
    You're most welcome. To the best of my knowledge, if you buy a windows disk it will be of a specific version. This information should be available from the supplier or be detailed in the fine print of your order.

    It is your responsibility to run WUP to keep your OS current, that is if you have chosen to rejig the default settings. I chose to download an ISO for Win10 1809 because I have that OS on my other laptop and I'm satisfied that it's stable and without grief.

    One benefit of installing an older version that has been proven stable and functional for an old pc such as my Dell is that WUP will inform me if the Dell is ready for the latest version or not.

    Not rushing for the latest update has proven beneficial for me, not that I had any interest is upgrading. The latest 1903 was offered by WUP about 2 months ago for my primary MSI laptop. A few days ago WUP has decided that my MSI is not ready.

    I'll wait till ms works out the bugs and fixes brightness and taskbar issues.




    I'm about 35 minutes from Ogdensburg, NY and have a POB there. Even with an marginal US$ exchange rate, I still save lots of money buying scuba equipment from the US.
    Thanks for all the info. It helped me decide and I bit the bullet and ordered a new desktop fully loaded. I'll be doing the Win10 DVD install on the old PC.

    The updating issue with Win10 was what did me in a few years ago. It was doing the update and then when it reached a certain point ( I can't remember what it was), it froze. I would then back out, restart the PC and start the update again. Same thing. It had an error code and when I checked it for troubleshooting, repair, etc., it wouldn't work. I have some people on the forum (not this one, I don't think) trying to assist with various methods, but no dice. That's when I went to Linux Mint. I love it but had to learn the arcane terminology and procedures.

    Cheers,
    Bob
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  9. Posts : 1,807
    Windows 10 Pro 21H1 19043.1348
       #9

    Hey Bob, you will likely have fun working on the old PC knowing all your data is safe on the new one. It's also great to have an old PC for testing new apps or processes.

    As everyone always says here, save images of both PC's and you'll be ready to repair or fix most big crashes. I had an original WD Passport that I believe is about 350GB and I was procrastinating upgrading to something current.

    When I did the clean install on my old Dell, I was again reminded about making image copies. I caved and bought a 5TB Seagate Backup Plus Portable. It does provide a significant piece of mind.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 / Linux Mint 18.1 (Dual Boot)
    Thread Starter
       #10

    W10 Tweaker said:
    Hey Bob, you will likely have fun working on the old PC knowing all your data is safe on the new one. It's also great to have an old PC for testing new apps or processes.

    As everyone always says here, save images of both PC's and you'll be ready to repair or fix most big crashes. I had an original WD Passport that I believe is about 350GB and I was procrastinating upgrading to something current.

    When I did the clean install on my old Dell, I was again reminded about making image copies. I caved and bought a 5TB Seagate Backup Plus Portable. It does provide a significant piece of mind.
    Absolutely. I have a Seagate 1TB drive. Most of it contains images, documents, etc. Will do a full backup before playing with the new PC. I don't do any gaming on my PC nor any heavy calcs or video editing.

    Can't wait until I get on the 401 raceway. (not). We've driven across Ontario for years but the last couple had a huge amount of traffic on the QEW into Hamilton and then on 401 to London. And I avoid rush hour traffic at all costs. I talked to some Canadians and they said a lot of people moved out to the suburbs from Toronto, hence the increased traffic. I go with the flow and don't do the posted speed limit as I would then be a traffic hazard. LOL Seems you'd have to do over 160 KPH to get the attention of the OPP.
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