Windows 7: 2 Hard Drives, 2 Operating system, Separate boot

Hello,



I have searched all over the internet, but I still haven't figure this out.
I'm having a laptop, with Windows 7 Pro 32bits installed, and I would like to install a second hard disk in the place of the DVD-RW (I will buy an extension slot, it exists). The second hard drive already have Windows7 Pro 64bits, with everything installed for the computer, but at the moment I am changing them each time I need to boot the other and is very annoying.

I would need to know, how could I set the hard disks that, when I will chose from BIOS to Boot from Hard Disk HDD0, to boot from it with no issues, and to have the other hard disk (HDD1 maybe), deactivated, and not available in Windows.
And when I need HDD1, to set from BIOS to boot from it, and also, to have in the second windows, the HDD0 unavailable.

Also, it is not possible to change anything on HDD0, neither its location. I can do whatever I want with the HDD1.


I need this complicated thing because I use one of the hard disks for work, one for home, and I would like to don't mix things up. And it is very difficult to get around with to laptops.
Both HDDs have 2 partitons.

Thank you in advance!

No answer?
Is it impossible to make it work somehow?

It is in fact very easy. You only have to change the boot sequence in the BIOS. On an HP you get into the boot sequence by tapping ESC after power on. On a lot of other makes it is F12.

But let me ask you a question. Does this laptop have an eSata port ?? That would be an easier way and you would not lose the optical drive.

Ok, maybe I haven't made my self clear: one of the Hard Disks (the one that doesn't boot), must be hidden somehow. They should not see each other, each one in it's windows. The Windows on HDD0 must not see there exists a HDD1 in the computer (at least to do not see the partitions), and vice-versa.

And I'm not really interested in keeping the DVD into the laptop, i use it very rarely...and after all, I can change it in 2 seconds, and it's easier to have the DVD after me, instead of an external hard disk. It's slimmer.

Regardless what you do, if both disks are in the box, the running OS will see the other disk. If you do not want that, you have to continue like you are doing now - only 1 disk at the time.

ok. Thanks for the enlighting.
I will continue doing this, that's it.

I believe you can remove the other OS's drive letter in Disk Management and it will not be seen by the booted OS. Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7

Nobody said anything about keeping the DVD in the drive. To boot via BIOS you set the preferred OS first to boot, then boot the other using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen:
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

Greg, and in e.g. Disk Management ?? I am not even sure what the OP means "not see" and why.

Wolfgang, I'm pretty sure if you remove the other OS's letter in DIsk Mgmt that it will not be seen by the booted OS. This seems to be a prerequisite for him to Dual Boot.

He also apparently needs to know how to choose one OS at boot via one-time BIOS Boot Menu key so he doesn't have to manually change BIOS Boot Order, or plug/unplug.

Greg, in disk management you see every partition - with or without letter. Right? Then it is easy to give this partition a letter - et voila.

I think it would help if the OP told us the reason why is so adamant to hide the other drive.