Windows 7: Duel Boot Win 7 x64 and x32

I am currently using win 7 Ult. X64 on my corporate domain with a dynamic IP. I would like to run duel boot with win 7 Ult. X32 with a static IP address. My laptop only has the one hard drive and I have tried everything I can think of to make this happen. I partitioned the hard drive but it will only create a dynamic partition and win 7 will not let me install on a dynamic drive. One of the four partitions on my drive is set up for system restore so if I convert to a basic drive I am afraid the restore will not function. I also looked into using VHD but I don’t think I can run it with the static IP. Does anyone know of a way to accomplish the Windows 7 X64/32 duel boot?

It's unlikely your HD came from factory partitioned as Dynamic Disk. This likely happened when you created the Dual Boot partition and accepted the conversion warning. You'll need to delete the partiition you created in Disk Management, then convert back to Basic using Partition Wizard home edition v. 4.2 partition wizard 4.2 free.zip - Windows Live

Once you do this, post back a screenshot of your maximized full Disk Mgmt drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, and we can advise you how to create the new partition as a Logical extended partition which will allow further expansion without converting the disk.

To answer your IP address question, I would post it anew in Networking sub-forum as it was sorted here due to it's title.

Ok Greg, I have reset the drives to basic and set aside a section for the new partition. (see attached) How should I proceed from here?

Thanks

Hello ddevito, welcome to Seven Forums!


The only way you are going to get any usable space without destroying the factory partition structure is to use the Method Two in this tutorial at the first link below, Windows has a 4 partition limit, I'm sure that's what got you a Dynamic disk in the first place.

You will have to extend the C: partition back into the unallocated space first and then you will be able to proceed; I'm sure using the bootable Partition Wizard will get you a bigger shrink/resize of the C: partition, to free up more space for storage if you like, after you have converted it to an Extended partition / Logical drive.

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

Then have a look at this one below for some ideas.

System Reserved : Multi Boot from Logical Partitions


Be sure to use the Partition Wizard Bootable Disk (PWBD) and not the installed version; download the PWBD ISO file from this link and burn the ISO to CD then boot the CD to make the changes.

Partition Wizard Free Bootable CD

ImgBurn Free ISO Burning Software


I've add a snip of your disk management for those that don't have access to word.

click to enlarge

To summarize: boot the PW Boot CD, rightclick C to Resize, drag right grey border to the right to take up the unallocated space, click OK.

Now rightclick C to Modify>Convert to Logical, OK. Apply all Steps.

Once C converts, rightclick it again to Resize, drag right grey border to left to size your Windows 7 partition as you like, click OK. Rightclick unallocated space to create New Logical partition(s), label and letter, OK, Apply all steps.

You can create as many Logical sub-partitions as you want in the Extended partition.

What would be the purpose or goal of dual booting the same OS?

I guess because he wants to, for the experience of it.

It's the same OS, though. If there's a question about platform compatibility, a quick Google search will yield the answer.

The reason is to run one with a static IP on one network and the other on the corp. network with a dynamic IP. Also one would run 64 bit and the other 32 bit for different software not set to run on 64.

Did you see my post #4 above?