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How to dual boot SteamOS with Windows 8.1?

Tags:
  • SteamOS
  • Partition
  • Hard Drives
  • Windows 8
  • Dual Boot
Last response: in SteamOS
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December 14, 2013 5:25:00 AM

Hi,

So I just downloaded SteamOS and I am wondering how to dual boot it. Also, I heard that it completely formats your hard drive.

Would I just regularly partition one of my hard drives and install it on the partition?

Thanks.

More about : dual boot steamos windows

December 14, 2013 7:12:56 AM

From the FAQ (which I'm sure you have already read:

Quote:
Q: How do I install SteamOS?
There are two different install methods for SteamOS. '''WARNING: BOTH METHODS WILL ERASE EVERYTHING ON THE MACHINE'''

Proceed at your own risk; for goodness sake make sure you have good backups first.

Betas of OSs are not for those who aren't fully aware of exactly what they are doing.
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December 16, 2013 2:29:47 AM

Do not think about trying to dual boot on one drive, not happening with steamOS. Yet. Maybe with the stable version next year.

Something you could try is two Hard drives. Connect both drives and then see if your "select boot device" spots both drives and lets you choose between them. Not all do.
Connect and install each system one at a time,ie put in a drive for windows and install it then remove it and put in another for steamOS just to make sure you make no mistakes and overwrite something you don't want to.Put them both back in and give it a try.

If the BIOS doesn't allow that then you could try easyBCD. I understand that it now allows for dual hard drives. Install and launch it on the windows drive.
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December 16, 2013 3:29:39 PM

There's a user patch for the install config files:

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse/discussi...

It's a config issue, not a technical one as you guys can imagine, but the user says do not do unless you know what you're doing, as usual.

The safe way, until Valve's support says so, is to have 2 HDDs to each OS and boot them through the UEFI/BIOS options (F12 or ESC in some MoBos). Just have to disconnect the other HDDs, or the installer will wipe them through the automated install.

Cheers!
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December 23, 2013 11:28:52 PM

install it on 2 separate hard drives. thats what i did. I found the easiest way to install it was by downloading bootable iso file and just burning to a dvd, saves you from needing uefi boot. Just make sure you unplug the hdd you dont want erased, just to make sure, then plug it back in again when all is working. This is all assuming you have a spare hdd lying around somewhere.... but theyre pretty cheap these days.

what i didnt realize is the streaming option (main reason i wanted to try it) doesnt work yet. so you must get linux compatible games.
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