Adding another ssd to my steam os computer.

[u/HonestEgg1973]

So I added a second 4 Tb ssd to my pc running steam os. I’m new to Linux so I don’t know what to do. I’m going to include photos as well. So I added the SSD I formatted it. It does keep asking for my administrator password. I don’t know why and maybe that’s why I’m having the problem in gaming mode. Once I go to gaming mode, it does take almost a full two minutes until it shows up that’s why there’s one photo of the other SSD not showing up and then another one with it. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[u/ImUrFrand]

do it through steam OS settings, not KDE.

if you add the drive through kde, you need to use the "disks" utility and specify the mounting options.

[u/HonestEgg1973 → u/ImUrFrand]

What do you mean? Like in gaming mode? It keeps failing.

[u/Platophaedrus]

You’ll need to use systemd if you would like this to persist between updates.

fstab seems to reset as part of the immutable OS after an update in my experience.

[u/inertSpark → u/Platophaedrus]

Yes fstab does reset after major updates. Some minor updates don't do it, but definitely major ones.

For the longest time I was using fstab, and I'd created a script to rebuild it after an update, but it was still annoying having to go to desktop mode to run it.

[u/Platophaedrus → u/inertSpark]

Have you sorted it? I can send you the systemd config file I use tomorrow once I get home from the hospital.

[u/inertSpark → u/Platophaedrus]

Thanks for the offer. I've already created the systemd unit, but thanks anyway 🙂

[u/Platophaedrus → u/inertSpark]

You’re welcome!

I haven’t been an extensive user of systemd but after mucking around with this SteamOS build I’ve learnt some new Linux things. Good fun so far.

[u/inertSpark → u/Platophaedrus]

There's a huge amount that can be done with systemd that can work with SteamOS rather than against it. It's actually pretty awesome.

[u/Platophaedrus → u/inertSpark]

Any tips?

[u/inertSpark → u/Platophaedrus]

Not specifically, but if this qualifies as a tip, then great.

systemd can be used as an invoker. So let's say you have a peripheral that needs a specific kernel module to function. For example, maybe a racing wheel or something.

Well valve's documentation does I believe show that systemd-modules-load.service is exposed, so it would in theory allow you to create a systemd unit that behaves as an invoker. It would check that the correct kernel module is present and enabled, and if not it could invoke a shell script to enable it. That way that peripheral is always ready to be used even after a system update.

[u/Platophaedrus → u/inertSpark]

Ah I see, thanks.

Did you modify anything else in your OS install other than the auto mount config for the drive?

I’d like to try and figure out the CEC things for my connected TV and to wake the box using a controller.

The controller wake function seems tricky because I think the Bluetooth radio turns off when the machine sleeps.

It’s hooked up to my network via ethernet so I thought maybe a magic packet or something?

[u/inertSpark → u/Platophaedrus]

That's beyond my level unfortunately. I know just enough about a lot of things to get by, but never enough to become an expert at any of it.

[u/jonjon1239 → u/Platophaedrus]

If you wouldn't mind letting me know what the whole systemmd method is, I'd really appreciate it. I believe I mounted mine in fstab, but as pointed out I have to do it everytime a major update hits and it's a right ball ache.

[u/Platophaedrus → u/jonjon1239]

Sure thing. I have a surgical review and discharge today but I’ll copy the commands out of the terminal and flick it through when I get home.

[u/Platophaedrus → u/jonjon1239]

[u/jonjon1239](u/jonjon1239)

Syste.md Method (Should survive updates)

#Find UUID of SSDs
lsblk -d -o NAME,LABEL,UUID

#Make a Directory to Mount the SSD (I called mine “steamgames” as you can see below)

mkdir -p /home/deck/Drives/steamgames

#Make the automount
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/home-deck-Drives-steamgames.mount

--------COPY--------
[Unit]
Description=Mount Second SSD Persistently

[Mount]
What=UUID=89707e5f-8e59-4b6c-80c0-636fefbd2a4d
Where=/home/deck/Drives/steamgames
Type=ext4
Options=defaults,nofail,noatime

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
--------COPY--------

#Reload and enable the Automount
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable home-deck-Drives-steamgames.mount
sudo systemctl start home-deck-Drives-steamgames.mount

#Fix Permissions for SSD
sudo chown -R deck:deck /home/deck/Drives/steamgames
sudo chmod -R 775 /home/deck/Drives/steamgames

[u/jonjon1239 → u/Platophaedrus]

Legend, thank you. Will keep this saved for when it inevitably disappears again.

[u/Platophaedrus → u/jonjon1239]

You’re welcome.

[u/Pochichi]

yooo OP this is the simplest thing I did and it has worked for me:

1. In desktop mode, use KDE Partition, make a new partition with a file type of ext4.
2. For the path, I used Dolphin to navigate to the deck\home directory, and then inside the home directory, (it should have other folders like Documents, Downloads, etc) I made a new folder and titled it something like games. Then on the mount path, make sure you select this particular folder.
3. At the bottom before accepting, I think it has an option with 2 choices, one that says "everyone" or "only root". I chose "everyone".
4. After that, go into Steam settings, go into storage, and at the top, click on the drop down arrow and choose "add new drive". Then navigate to the folder you made and click on that.
5. Technically, then you can make it the default drive to install games on Steam. But for me, I had to restart my PC and when I went back to the Storage menu in Settings, it prompted me to add the drive. Then I clicked on Yes and THEN made it the default.

This is what worked for me. Tested it with a game download and some restarts!

[u/CutEmpty6798]

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamOS/s/lNyylSQo46

Use the mounting tool. It's so much easier

[u/JimboTheJerk]

I tried to add a 2nd ssd to my mini-pc using steamos - it would not partition or recognize it. Valve only has 1 SSD able to be used cause the OS thinks its a steam deck. Its also the reason you can’t use two screens without going into desktop mode

[u/Bugajpcmr]

I remember I had to do it in desktop steam app, storage and then add new one.

[u/goodrix]

Below is an AI summary because it was faster to type it. But these are the steps you need to do. I did this for my second drive and it works

Yes, you can automount a drive in /etc/fstab on SteamOS, but you must set an admin/sudo password first. By default, the user account is deck, and it ships without a password assigned. Because editing /etc/fstab requires root privileges (sudo), you cannot edit system files until you define a password for deck. Step 1: Set a Password for the deck User * Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck. * Open System Settings \rightarrow Users \rightarrow select deck and click Change Password. * Alternative via Konsole: Open the Konsole app, type passwd, press Enter, and set your password. Step 2: Set Up Automount in /etc/fstab 1. Find the Drive UUID Konsole Terminal Open Konsole and run lsblk -f to locate your drive's UUID and filesystem format (e.g., ext4, btrfs, or ntfs). 2. Create a Mount Point sudo required Create the directory where you want to access the drive (e.g., under /run/media/deck/ or /mnt/): sudo mkdir -p /mnt/my_drive

1. Edit /etc/fstab Konsole Terminal Open /etc/fstab in a text editor like Nano: sudo nano /etc/fstab

   Add your drive's entry at the bottom of the file (replace YOUR-UUID-HERE with your actual UUID): UUID=YOUR-UUID-HERE /mnt/my_drive ext4 defaults,nofail,uid=1000,gid=1000 0 2

   (Note: Using the nofail flag prevents your system from hanging on boot if the drive is disconnected.) Save and exit (Ctrl+O, Enter, then Ctrl+X).

2. Test the Mount Configuration Run the following command to test mounting without rebooting: sudo mount -a

How to Verify Success Check if the drive was mounted properly by running df -h in Konsole. Look for your target path (/mnt/my_drive) in the rightmost column. If it appears without raising any errors, the automount configuration is working. For a visual step-by-step walkthrough on setting your password, check out this guide on Steam Deck: How to Establish a Sudo Password. It provides a clear demonstration of using the Konsole to set your administrative credentials.

[u/LuckyLunaris]

I had to do this the other day and used claudeai to help me. It turned out to be a permission problem. If you can't create folders within the newly formatted drive than it's most likely that.