Partitioning my in use drive from a live usb

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1

Hi, could one safely partition an in use ssd from a live usb? In my case, I’d like to set up a dual boot with arch, from manjaro. I didn’t partition the drive when I first installed manjaro though, so would it be too dangerous to try and do that?

Here is lsblk

NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
nvme0n1 259:0 0 238.5G 0 disk
├─nvme0n1p1 259:1 0 300M 0 part /boot/efi
└─nvme0n1p2 259:2 0 238.2G 0 part /run/timeshift/backup

The reason is that I’d like to set up a bare bones arch install with a window manager. Thanks for any input

2

Yes (when you boot into live ISO, the ssd partitions of your normal install won’t be in use then). I would recommend to use GParted for repartitioning work. Backup valuable data before you start. By the way, where is your / partition?

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3

Not sure I understood the question, my / partitions location?

Are you speaking of the root files for my main manjaro partition? If so, they would be located on the sole ssd, the one I am considering partitioning 50gb from, which is the nvme0n1 drive.

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OK, I thought you have already a system installed on nvme0n1, I was asking since I could not see a / partition where the system is installed. 50 GiB for your / partition is a good selection.

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5

Ok. Do you have any last minute tips as to avoid bricking my only laptop? Thanks again

6

Backup valuable files before you start and just follow the Manjaro install guide. If questions occur better ask before doing something stupid. :laughing:

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7

Thanks!

8

Just an update in case anyone ever sees this. It worked fine. I installed arch first, and left a large partition for manjaro. I then booted into manjaro live usb, and the install process from there was easy and straight forward. Am now enjoying a nice dual boot setup.

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