Windows 7: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

Brink · 12 Mar 2009

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

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Click here to read the entire tutorial

Last edited by Brink; 28 Oct 2012 at 09:49 AM..

Dwarf · 06 Aug 2010

You're welcome.

Any problems, just ask. That's what we're here for.

Dave76 · 11 Aug 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by patch41

Hi Brink,I think your tutorials are fantastic,and i thank you for your time and effort you must have put into them,
I was following your tutorial, Installing windows 7 on a separate hardrive, i tried installing windows 7 on a separate external hardrive, so i would still have vista on my internal hardrive,then a message popped up saying could not install useing usb cord, or firewire 1eee cord,is there any way around this, or does it have to be a internal hardrive,I know i can partition my c-drive and install it that way as another one of your tutorials show, but would like to have it on separate hardrive,thanks patch41.

You can install Windows 7, or any OS, on an external hard drive if it has a eSATA cable.

It's the same as an internal SATA connection. There's no way for the system to know it's not internal.

patch41 · 12 Aug 2010

Hi Dave 76,Thanks for your advise,I have a WD500gb external hardrive that only has a usb port, I wonder if i can buy an adapter to covert it to a esata cable, thanks again, and i tipped the scales....patch41

Dave76 · 12 Aug 2010

Thanks patch,

I have never heard of an adapter to go from USB to eSATA.

You can buy external HDD enclosures with eSATA cables.
You might be able to pry the HDD from the WD external, but I would just buy a new HDD for it.

pcdubu · 27 Jan 2011

Hi Brink,
Sorry for the 'novice' question but just to be clear, when installing Win 7 on my fresh / new HDD#2, I don't need to disconnect HDD #1 (the one with an existing with Vista OS on it)? I already have 2 HDDs and intend to replace the existing HDD #2 with the new bigger faster HDD and install Win 7 on that.
Cheers

Jonathan_King · 27 Jan 2011

You can do either; it's probably easiest if you leave the Vista drive installed while you install Windows 7, so that you will be offered a choice of Operating Systems to boot from.

bobbelt9 · 19 Mar 2011

Hi Brink,
Like everyone else i want to thank you for all your help and great tutorials. Here is my problem: I did a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista (windows 7 was already instaled) like i stated the dual install went fine but when i login the windows vista section it loads up, but no internet, drivers and things like that! What can i do?

Brink · 19 Mar 2011

Hello Bobbelt, and welcome to Seven Forums. Thank you.

It sounds like you will need to download your Vista drivers for all of your devices while in Windows 7, then copy them over into your Vista drive, then boot into Vista and install them.

bobbelt9 · 19 Mar 2011

After i posted my question it hit me to go to dell and get all the drivers! Sure enough that was the problem! It took about 3hrs to download all drivers, install them, install the software i wanted on the new partition, and get all 103 latest updates but so far it was well worth it! thank you

Brink · 19 Mar 2011

You're most welcome Bobbelt. I'm happy to hear that it's all working for you now.

Windows 7: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista problems?