On Fri, Sep 14, 2018 at 3:48 PM, Iznogoud <iznogoud at nobelware.com> wrote: >> >> I would use separate disks if that were an option but there is room for only >> one drive in the chassis. I bought this sy stem cheap because I need someplace >> to test software BEFORE I install on my primary systems this way I won't be >> destroying my main systems with new software rather just a testing system and >> if things work - - -well then they get moved to their permanent homes >> and if they >> don't - - - HOSED! (and without my main systems getting polluted!) >> >> Sorry - - its a good idea but not possible this time. >> > It seems I have caused you some serious pain - --don't think I meant to do that! You seem to think that I am some kind of programmer by trade. I am only someone who has used a computer as a tool for a long time. That is quite different from someone who uses a computer to produce tools. > You do not wnat to use VMs (the safest and easiest), you do not want to hack > your way to boot multiple systems on your own. You seem to want to do this > within the context of how distributions ship out, especially the ones that are > meant for the starting Linux user who is looking for convenience. (Methinks) If I knew how to hack a way to boot multiple systems I would have done it. The procedure that I had used in the past for multi-booting isn't working and with quite a bit more than a trivial amount of time I cannot find any ideas on how to 'hack my way to boot multiple systems' . So I then asked for help here where there has been help proffered in the past. If you would rather not answer a direct question - - - fine - - -but please don't play around with the question and infer what you don't know (my background for one!). > > if you want to be doing this kind of testing with different disks, why close > the chassis at all... Keep a SATA and a power wire out and keep plugging and > unplugging. Do this until you have learned all you need to know. Maybe this is > the next best piece of advise I can offer to using VMs. > > When in college in the 90s, my frankensteined PC had almost all components > resting on eachother inside an open chassis for which I did not have the screws. > My favourite setup was that of a friend, who had the system hanging on the wall > with nails, like artwork. I guess that this kind of working environment would appeal to some, sorry - - - not to me. Thanking you for your ideas. Regards Dee