| Windows 7: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Windows Pro x64 dual-boot BIOS vs UEFI |
15 Jan 2013
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#1 | | |
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Windows Pro x64 dual-boot BIOS vs UEFI Hello! I recently acquired an Acer V3-771G and I want to dual-boot Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Windows 8 Pro x64 and I was wondering if it is recommended to change BIOS with the UEFI found on Acer's site. Also, if i should do that, when is it right to switch from BIOS to UEFI? In the beginning, after Windows 7 is installed, after W8 is installed, etc. Note that I have some experience with dual-boots, but none whatsoever with Windows 8.
As for the system specs, I am only able to write them as they are written on the box, as I haven't installed any Windows yet.
CPU: i7-3630QM
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Nvidia GeForce GT650M
8 GB Ram DDR3
HDD: 500GB 5400rpm | My System Specs |
| System Manufacturer/Model Number Acer OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 CPU Intel i7-3630QM Motherboard Acer Aspire V3-771 Memory 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Graphics Card Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Sound Card well, my Audio Drivers are Intel HD and Realtek Monitor(s) Displays 17.3" LCD Screen Resolution 1920x1080 60Hz PSU it's a laptop Case it's a laptop Cooling it's a laptop Hard Drives ST9500325AS (500 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II) |
15 Jan 2013
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#2 | | ME/XP/Vista/Win7 uk Hampshire |
Does your Acer have a BIOS chip or a uEFI firmware chip? | My System Specs | | |
15 Jan 2013
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#3 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit Manchester, England |
I dont have any experiance with dual-boots, But I would suggest, If you are going to update the bios, Do so, before you install any OS. updating the bios once windows is installed, Comes with a slightly higher risk. Although most times, There isnt a problem. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Cooler Master OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit CPU Core I7 1155 3.4GHZ Memory 8GB DDR 1600 PSU 340 Watt Corsair Case Cooler Master Cooling Cooler Master Hard Drives 64 GB SSD - OS
1TB - DATA |
18 Jan 2013
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#6 | | |
Thanks for the replies, but I have to say that I already installed Windows 7 through BIOS. Acer's BIOS and UEFI updates are .exe files, so I suppose there needs to be a preinstalled OS so I can run them. What I want to know is if I can convert the NTFS Windows 7 partition to a GPT one (I understand that UEFI creates GPT partitions) and then install W8. Or, to be more precise, what would you do if you were in my shoes? | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Acer OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 CPU Intel i7-3630QM Motherboard Acer Aspire V3-771 Memory 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Graphics Card Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Sound Card well, my Audio Drivers are Intel HD and Realtek Monitor(s) Displays 17.3" LCD Screen Resolution 1920x1080 60Hz PSU it's a laptop Case it's a laptop Cooling it's a laptop Hard Drives ST9500325AS (500 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II) |
18 Jan 2013
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#7 | | ME/XP/Vista/Win7 uk Hampshire |

Quote: Originally Posted by theog Does your Acer have a BIOS chip or a uEFI firmware chip? waiting a reply. | My System Specs | | |
19 Jan 2013
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#9 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit Manchester, England |
Where are we upto with this? did you update the bios?. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Cooler Master OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit CPU Core I7 1155 3.4GHZ Memory 8GB DDR 1600 PSU 340 Watt Corsair Case Cooler Master Cooling Cooler Master Hard Drives 64 GB SSD - OS
1TB - DATA |
19 Jan 2013
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#10 | | |
Ok, so I've seen the links greg sent and I've understood the obvious advantages of UEFI over BIOS. Then, I've run Aida64 and found out that I have a InsydeH20 BIOS version 1.11. The Acer site lists under BIOS downloads version 1.12 and version 2.12 which is labelled "BIOS - UEFI for Windows 8 (Not for Upgrades)". The Windows 7 currently installed was installed through Legacy BIOS, by DVD. I have not made any BIOS updates yet. A dual-boot with W8 without UEFI is an option, but since the motherboard is UEFI capable, I would like to use its advantages. So, what you suggest?
Another thing: the Acer site says that it is not recommended to switch to UEFI on laptops with Windows 7 preinstalled and it is not recommended to switch to BIOS on laptops with W8 preinstalled. The problem is that mine came with Linux preinstalled, while the Acer site's driver section lists drivers for both Windows 7 and W8. Then, on the internet I've seen that BIOS upgrades are from the "if it works, don't update it" category. What can possibly go wrong? Shouldn't it be a worry-free upgrade since it is only an .exe to run? | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Acer OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 CPU Intel i7-3630QM Motherboard Acer Aspire V3-771 Memory 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Graphics Card Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Sound Card well, my Audio Drivers are Intel HD and Realtek Monitor(s) Displays 17.3" LCD Screen Resolution 1920x1080 60Hz PSU it's a laptop Case it's a laptop Cooling it's a laptop Hard Drives ST9500325AS (500 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II) Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Windows Pro x64 dual-boot BIOS vs UEFI problems? All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:34 AM. | |