Windows 7: A special DualBoot - how?

Burgurne · 18 Nov 2012

Greetings.
I have now a Windows 7 install in one SSD in MBR-mode
I have also a Windows 8 install on another SSD in GPT mode.

As now I choose which system to buut by BIOS, but I would like to have a boot menu, so I don't have to use BIOS to select.

Is it possible to greate a dualboot menu after BOTH installations is done? If so, how do I do it? Which will be the "main boot SSD", the MBR or the GPT moded SSD?

I know it is a bit backward work that has to be done, but I'm so dissapointed about Windows 8, that I don't want to loose my Windows 7.

Indianatone · 18 Nov 2012

The program I use for this exact thing (I have 3 versions of 7 on the same machine) is EASY BCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Free for non commercial use. This is NOT a TOY, be careful with the program as it can mess stuff up. If you install the program it will offer you a choice of booting to operating systems. Check out the FAQ EasyBCD Documentation Home - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

theog · 18 Nov 2012

Are you using the Windows 8 Upgrade?

Windows 8 EULA

Quote: Originally Posted by Microsoft

What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

If yes,
You would have NO original software.
You will need to delete Windows 7 install.

Burgurne · 18 Nov 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Indianatone

The program I use for this exact thing (I have 3 versions of 7 on the same machine) is EASY BCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Free for non commercial use. This is NOT a TOY, be careful with the program as it can mess stuff up. If you install the program it will offer you a choice of booting to operating systems. Check out the FAQ EasyBCD Documentation Home - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

Well, it seems like it is not this I can be using, this line is from the FAQ:

Does EasyBCD have EFI support?
No, not yet.

And as I wrote, the Windows 8 is GPT (or as they put it) in EFI mode.

Burgurne · 18 Nov 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by theog

Are you using the Windows 8 Upgrade?

Windows 8 EULA

Quote: Originally Posted by Microsoft

What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

If yes,
You would have NO original software.
You will need to delete Windows 7 install.

Yes, it is an Win 8 Pro Upgrade, but I choose to take 2 weeks of "side by side" with my Windows 7 Ultimate, as Windows 8 still has so many troubble, and I will have to find workarounds for them. After that I will of course only be running 1 OS, as I don't want to use the ekstra SSD-space nessesary for using 2 complete OS-installs. As for now I think it will be Windows 7 Ultimate, I choose to keep.

Indianatone · 18 Nov 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Burgurne

Quote: Originally Posted by Indianatone

The program I use for this exact thing (I have 3 versions of 7 on the same machine) is EASY BCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Free for non commercial use. This is NOT a TOY, be careful with the program as it can mess stuff up. If you install the program it will offer you a choice of booting to operating systems. Check out the FAQ EasyBCD Documentation Home - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

Well, it seems like it is not this I can be using, this line is from the FAQ:

Does EasyBCD have EFI support?
No, not yet.

And as I wrote, the Windows 8 is GPT (or as they put it) in EFI mode.

OK well that is all I know I am afraid. This would be my "sign" to forget about 8 at least for a while and use 7.

Burgurne · 18 Nov 2012

Well, you let me know that such programs are out there, so I will now look for such a program that do support EFI

Indianatone · 18 Nov 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Burgurne

Well, you let me know that such programs are out there, so I will now look for such a program that do support EFI

Good Luck and run it by the forum here, someone may need the help in the future.

gregrocker · 18 Nov 2012

The problem is that EasyBCD modifies the MBR and a GPT disk has no MBR.

You've actually got the cleanest Dual Boot method now via BIOS, as we've discovered over the years here.

As to having a decent test period for your Win8 before having to surrender your 7 license, I don't think you'll be faulted for wanting to do this. In a Clean Install I believe you should even have some time before it Activates.

If you don't like Metro then you can get the exact same Windows 7 Start menu grafted on using Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8 and add replica 7 gadgets using 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8.

What you have then is essentially a slightly faster (decide for yourself) Windows 7 since it doesn't load Metro or the 8 crApps. But for only that I will stick with 7.

Burgurne · 19 Nov 2012

OK, sounds like I should just stay with my BIOS select for now.
My greatest annoying about Windows 8 (except for Metro) is its very slow USB3 performance compared to windows 7.
If that is not solved soon, then it is farewell to windows 8 for me.

Windows 7: A special DualBoot - how?

A special DualBoot - how? problems?