Set up Dual Boot w/same Win 7: conflicting instructions

Hello. First my thanks to such members as gregrocker, Kari, Brink, Barefoot Kid, and Shawn for the helpful posts and tutorials I have read since starting to come here!

My question is whether to install the 2nd OS from within the 1st or from outside of it (by booting from the install disc).

Brink wrote this tutorial, and in it said to: "Insert the second OS (Windows 7 or Vista) installation DVD, and restart the computer to start installing it."

That would be the same as saying to boot from the DVD.

However, I read this thread on the subject, where a junior member said: "One other tip when creating multiboot. Boot into your existing 7 installation like normal. Insert your windows install disc in your optical drive and run it from WITHIN your existing 7 installation. This will allow the two installations to 'know' about each other. DO NOT boot from from the install disc to do your second install. Doing it this way makes each installation unaware of the other and you will not be presented with a menu to choose which one to run when you boot."

Gregrocker had later postings and didn't contradict it, so it would seem that he agreed (admission by omission?)

The business about the installations "knowing about each other" sounds sensible enough. It is true or "urban legend"? I don't want to have to do it twice!

Thank you,

Mike

That 2nd statement, thread, etc. is completely inaccurate

Thank you both for the quick replies!

Yes, I actually have done the BIOS boot method on home built machines in the past. This will be on a laptop, so just 1 HDD, and my first time trying a dual boot separated only by software partitions.

I understand the C: drive letter business, yes that would be messy.

So it's safe to presume that Windows will present me with a Boot Manager of some kind? I've never seen a Windows based boot manager so please excuse me for being a bit ignorant.

Thank you!

Mike

Bare Foot Kid said:

I find the easiest way to dual boot now is to put the preferred OS on the first partition on the HDD as a Primary partition and install the subsequent OS(s) on an Extended partition Logical drive(s)

Great! I happened to find and read that tutorial just today, and it was very useful but I was still a bit fuzzy on specifics when it came to exactly the where and how. Thank you for clearly stating those things. Luckily, I was headed in the right direction already: System partition first, then preferred OS on a 50GB Primary, then at lunch I had time to create a 200 GB Extended with a 100GB Logical for the Users & program Data folders, a 30GB Logical for the 2nd OS, and some undecided extra.

It just seemed to make sense from all I've read (right here on this site - what a resource!), but I wasn't at all certain about it.

So I presume that by doing it that way the Windows Boot Manager will put my preferred OS first? Hopefully I'll know by the time I check back - busy weekend ahead, I may not visit until Monday.

I'll post back with my results!

Thank you,

Mike

There's rarely a day passes here in 3 years where I don't remind users to always boot the installer to install Win7.

If you incorrectly run the installer from another OS on C it prevents it from claiming the letter as it always will when correctly booted. This is easily prevented by booting the installer. There is no reason not to, except not knowing.

The best practices for a Win7 install are the same as given here for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

OK! I think I've got it:




I'm curious about one thing - something in Diskpart that doesn't make complete sense to me:



Diskpart shows each partition in the order I purposely created them, in the order they reside on the disk, and Disk Management seems to agree.

But why do you suppose they are numbered this way (1, 2, 0, 3, 4)?

Mike

It's an extended (container) for the Logicals, that's all.

When Win7 Pro Test is booted is it C?

With Partition Wizard boot CD you can rightclick on E to slide it over to make more room for data partition, then click on Data to drag it's right border to the right. Or you can resize E to the right to take up the free space.

You can also resize the Logical container to the right or left using PW CD.

Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition Video Help.