Hi there Lawriemcf,
Welcome to Linux! I really hope you have a good experience with Linux - hopefully we can assist you with this one.
First up - I know it sounds logical to you to have a second drive to install your linux system on, but keep in mind that you are actually asking to do something that is not standard, and as such the "automatic" options don't really apply.
Lets start with a bit of background before I get to answering your question directly:
The main issue here is that by using a second drive, you are transfering control of the "boot" options from the operating systems to your computer hardware (BIOS). I know your request sounds logical from the outset - but you are actually asking for something that creates a hardware/software issue... regardless of the operating systems used.
So - the reason why there is no option to book on E: is that your computer (hardware) is configured to boot on C: only - you can boot on E: if you want, but you will have to make a series of changes to the bios every time you want to change the boot device order. This is definitely possible, but not an easy "push button" solution for you. It's your choice, so I will explain the two methods that you can use to develop your dual boot system.
So - lets start giving you some answers:
Option 1 - do exactly what you have asked for:The simple way to install Mint on your second drive (E:) is to enter the BIOS on your computer when it boots (this is usually prompted onscreen with "press del to enter setup" or something similar) and then (VERY CAREFULLY) find the boot order menu, and adjust the order of boot devices to put your E: in front of your current C:. They will not be referred to as C: or E: - at this level they are just numbered devices - so make lots of notes on paper and just cancel out of the BIOS if you are in any doubt. I would DEFINITELY NOT make any other changes no matter how good they sound unless you know what you are doing. (eg. CPU speed etc..)
Once you have re-configured your BIOS to boot on E:, you should be able to insert your MINT CD and install on E: as normal.
When you want to go back to Windows - you will need to shutdown, reboot and change the BIOS back to boot on your original drive. You will need to change this boot order every time you want to switch from one operating system to the other.
Option 2 - another method:The standard way to run a dual boot system is to allow your software to control the operating system to load at startup. This usually means that you install BOTH operating systems on the one drive (in this case your 250Gb C:)
I would suggest that you can use the E: in one of two ways:
a) you can boot normally into Windows and use your E: as a backup drive - copy all your personal data, documents and pictures to this drive as a separate backup prior to your installation of MINT (**I would suggest this is the best option)
b) you can make a backup another way (eg. an external drive) and then use your E: as your MINT home partition.
If you are using (a) above, then simply do the following steps:
1) boot into Windows - make a backup copy of all your personal data as a safety net
2) reboot your computer with your MINT CD in the drive - and then install MINT with the option to "repartition" your C:
3) run with the standard/suggested options. If you are doing this to test & explore MINT, you can easily use a fairly small MINT partition - 100Mb or less should be fine.
4) explore and have fun!
Additionally what software would you recommend to control which Operating System to use at startup.
This should install a piece of software called a "boot loader" - I am not sure which on e MINT uses, but I am pretty sure it will be one called "GRUB". This will simply load on startup, and the allow you to choose which system you would like to use - easy!
Have fun - let us know how you go
Cheers,
:)RG
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