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Dual boot Win 7 & Vista on separate HDD

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by Pathfinder, 2009/12/17.

  1. 2009/12/17
    Pathfinder

    Pathfinder Inactive Thread Starter

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    I own a copy of Vista 64 and have just purchased a copy of Win 7 Pro.

    I would like to have them both available for use until I migrate everything to Windows 7.

    My current HDD is 500 GB and contains MS Vista. I am getting a 1 TB drive for Windows 7. I want to install the second hard drive in my Vista machine.

    Is there a way for me to dual boot them? Which should I have as my C drive?

    If this is not possible tell me straight up. I can take it.

    Thank You, Pathinder Merry Christmas.
     
    Pathfinder,
    #1
  2. 2009/12/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    No problem in dual booting - install the second hard drive and then boot from the Win 7 DVD. During installation you will be asked where you want to install it.

    Point Win 7 to the new drive - I would create a partition on the new drive for Win 7 - and install it.

    A boot menu will be created allowing you to choose which OS to boot to on power up - the default OS can easily be selected using EasyBCD - simpler than using Windows bcdedit.

    Whichever OS is booted up will be on C:\ and the other OS will be seen as D:\ or .....
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2009/12/17
    Pathfinder

    Pathfinder Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks Pete for the quick response. The link you gave me for EasyBCD, is that something I have to purchase? Again, thanks for the quick response!
     
    Pathfinder,
    #3
  5. 2009/12/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    EasyBCD is freeware :) Works very well - I used it when evaluating Win 7 at the RC stage and beyond while dual booting to XP/Win7. Also used it on my other box dual booting Vista/Win 7.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2009/12/17
    Pathfinder

    Pathfinder Inactive Thread Starter

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    One final question.

    Can both OS's be running at the same time? Or is one or the other?
     
    Pathfinder,
    #5
  7. 2009/12/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    One or the other - not both.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2009/12/17
    Pathfinder

    Pathfinder Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks again. Appreciate your help.
     
    Pathfinder,
    #7
  9. 2009/12/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome :) Hope all goes smoothly!
     
    PeteC,
    #8

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