Dual boot Win 7 on separate drives

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 64bit
       #1

    Dual boot Win 7 on separate drives


    Hi-

    I currently have Win7 installed on two separate drives in my box. I can only set (select) boot sequence in the BIOS. If I recall correctly, way back when a boot selection menu would appear when I think I was running Win7 (when it first came out) alongside XP but that screen no longer appears with my current setup. Is there a way to get that screen back, or an alternate way to select the OS of choice without the hassle?

    Thanks,
    Mark
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #2

    Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

    Your problem has occurred because you have two copies of Windows 7 installed resulting in confusion at startup i.e. the computer doesn't know which OS to boot into because both boot records have the same name.

    You need to edit the boot name for each system thus:

    1. Boot into the first Windows 7 installation whose boot entry you wish to change.
    2. Click Start.
    3. Type cmd in the Search field.
    4. Look under the Programs list, right-click cmd and choose Run as Administrator.
    5. At the command prompt window type bcdedit to produce the boot text.
    6. In the Windows Boot Loader section you will see the name for the current Windows 7 boot menu entry.
    7. To change this boot menu entry for this installation of Windows 7, enter the following command:
    bcdedit /set description “boot menu text
    where “boot menu text” is a description of your choosing e.g. “Windows 7 Professional”.
    8. Press Enter to run the command.
    9. Type Exit then press Enter to close the command prompt.
    10. Close the Command Prompt Window.
    11. Repeat steps 1 to 10 for each boot entry you wish to change.

    For example, you could choose something like Windows 7 Drive C and Windows 7 Drive D for your boot menu text, but as long as you have two different names you should be able to choose either in the boot menu at startup.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi seavixen-

    Went through your directions successfully and the new description did stick, however, no selection between the two drives upon boot. The second drive does appear in Computer btw so it's definitely there.

    Thanks,
    Mark
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 670
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit build 7601 SP1
       #4

    Isn't there an option when hitting F8 during boot up? It gives you the drive selection.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #5

    My question is why would one want a dual boot of the same OS? Not that there's anything wrong with that...just curious. My suggestion would be try your dual boot with 2 different drives with 2 different OS's....using the new Windows 8 Consumer build. See if that makes a difference in the screen option your looking for.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #6

    It should help if you disconnect one drive while you install Windows to the other and vice versa.

    All being well, both boot entries should then appear on startup.

    However, like Bassfisher, I am intrigued as to why you want to install the same system twice.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    metalmania31 said:
    Isn't there an option when hitting F8 during boot up? It gives you the drive selection.
    F8 is safe mode on my computer.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    seavixen32 said:
    It should help if you disconnect one drive while you install Windows to the other and vice versa.
    All being well, both boot entries should then appear on startup.

    However, like Bassfisher, I am intrigued as to why you want to install the same system twice.[/QUOTE]

    I disconnected each to install as you mentioned.

    I run one Win7 OS (optimized) exclusively to power my flight simulator. The other I use for everything else, including running VMWare workstation. I'll figure it out eventually I suppose. Thanks for the help.

    Mark
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #9

    OK, that makes sense.

    Keep us posted as to how things pan out.

    Check out this old thread on the same subject.

    Dual Boot Windows 7 twice
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Will do.
      My Computer


 
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