Miles ahead.. you really think something is wrong.. I've not defragged in at least a few weeks, and system restore is enabled. I'm sure if I did those things I'd get a bigger amount open for the shrink, but I'd rather get a new drive over shrinking.
I can't predict what's going to happen after you do maintenance. If you want to go with ain't broke don't fix it sometimes that's a wise option. Also less work most of the time. :)
Ya, I think I'm going to go with the Aint Broke, don't Fix it. Only I can't afford to get that 1.5TB Hard drive atm.. sadly.
I'm going to go pull that old 80
GB out of the machine and see if it will work in this system. lol.
Also. if I add a second HD to my system. How do I do this windows 7 install.
Basically I add the second HD. I set it as slave in BIOS. Set to start-up from CD. then I install Windows 7 to the new Hard drive. then when I'm done I set bios back to normal. Startup, and should I automatically have the 2 choices for what one I want to start to. or is there a setting I need to change? and am I ok installing 2 different Os's on 2 different drives. at different times. like they don't need to be done one after the other. right?
Thanks!
For your information I've got an OCZ Vertex SSD. Windows 7 just run like crazy on that! I compare with my girlfriend's computer which has an Intel Core 2 Duo and a Seagate 120GB 7200 rpm with Win7, and my computer is waaaayyy faster!
If you want speed go for SSD, but only for Windows and programs. Don't spend $$$ to have extra GB of flash. And DON'T BUY Jmicron controlled SSD.
Hello Gunther.
Like you said, just boot from the Windows 7 DVD, choose the "custom" installation option then point it to the new HDD, just be sure you don't let it install over your Vista. Let it install and you'll see the two options at boot up, you'll see what I'm referring to. It's ok to install at different times. Whenever you boot (or re-start) the machine you'll get a chance to decide what OS to boot into.
Have you seen this?
Windows 7 Forums - How to dual-boot Windows 7 BETA on a Vista computer
It's easy Gunther.
LaterTed
Hi Gunther,
I had the same problem with trying to shrink my Vista install. It would only give me a few Mbs.
I downloaded GParted and used that to shrink the Vista install and created a 100GB partition for W7 and I now have a dual boot on one 500GB Samsung HDD.
This works fine and I get a choice at boot between W7 and Vista (both x64)
I also have another 500GB Samsung Spinpoint with all my media files etc on it.
These drives are a couple of years old and I think the new Samsungs are faster but I would certainly recommend the brand. They've been great for me for about 5 years.
As others have said it's probably better to have your OSs on different drives but this system is working fine for me.
I've been messing with W7 since the Beta 7000 and have tried 3 builds. I envy you trying it for the first time.
It really is amazing and very fast so I hope you have a good experience.
One issue is that the latest Nvidia drivers seem problematic so I'd advise sticking to the ones that W7 installs (sadly no AO then)
Best wishes, John
I actually had this problem when I dual-booted this weekend. What did I do? Well, first, you have to follow "How-To-Geek"'s way to force Vista to shrink the HDD. That should be here.
Then, download the trial for Perfect Disk. And run those in order :
- Defrag
- Consolidate Free Space
- SmartPlacement
- System Files Defrag (on reboot)
After reboot
- Consoliadate Free Space
This should only leave MetaData in some blank sections. If not, continue to defrag/Consolidate Free Space. Then, you can go and shrink it up. Leave like 40GB for Windows 7 and it'll be OK
no SSD for me.. to much money, and not enough space. but performance is pretty good. I think I'll just get the new WD Caviar Black 640, as it's faster than the 500, and the 750 in terms of speed and performance, and is plenty of space, or I might just get the 1TB. as it's a good one as well.
Also thanks for info guys, I've heard bad story's on the F1's but sounds like they are working for you johhny.
and lebon thanks for trying to help, but I'd rather not loose vista system restore and all that, plus I don't want to dual boot on a single HD anymore.. I'd rather get 2. and not have to worry.
OK guys.. little update. the 80GB Maxtor I was talking about. was in an old system someone gave me. It's loaded with Viruses. Loaded. I've tried Malware Bytes, the PC has Avast, AVG and something else on it.. they all found viruses. but I can't get into windows. It loads, and I get to enter user, it's admin.. yet there's also an Administrator account. so I think the person made another account and named it Admin. but something is weird with the PC. it has AntivirusPro2009 on it. THAT IS A VIRUS in itself. the girl who owned the PC said the antiviruspro2009 is what ruined the PC. I can't get it going. Even in Safe Mode. when windows Boots.. there is NOTHING on the screen. no start menu or nothing. yet I can do control Alt delete and go into task manager.. and open iexplorer.exe and get on the net, but no windows things.
I'm not worried about that. what I am worried about. is the 80GB drive is very loud. makes this HIGH pitched scratching Wine sound.. and when really busy it starts knocking, or clicking. lol so I don't think I want to go through the hassle of installing Windows 7 onto it, only for the drive to fail. lol. Not to mention I don't want to add that HD to my machine, and risk my system getting the virus also.
Sorry this is so long... but
I'm getting a new Hard Drive. It's between the WD Caviar Black 640GB, and the 1TB.. Both Blacks. they are very fast drives. It's more of I can't afford the 1TB. and I don't actually "need" the space.
when I get that. I'll throw windows 7 on whatever one I buy.. and when I switch to 7 for Good.. I'll use both drives, one for OS and one for media, music, video's and games..
Hi Xguntherc, sounds like the best place for that one is the Bin, just in case you missed it Microsoft will have the RC available to download for a whole year from May 5th.
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