Changing primary partitions to logical

[DeaconFrost]

I see that Unallocated is already a logical partition. So can I simply put x64 Windows 7 installation DVD in, boot from DVD and install it? Will it do all by itself?

As another suggestion, since you are so unsure about this process...I'd take a step back and re-examine. You may just need some assistance in getting the programs for reinstallation and your data backed up. I really am starting to think a dual boot isn't going to do what you want. This would be a good time to seek out a friend who's well versed in computers and can sit down in front of your computer to take a look. Aside from "illegal/warez" apps, you should be able to obtain the discs or files needed for your apps.

Either way, setting up a dual boot, while being an old, stale technology, is easy to do, if you pick the wrong partition or make a mistake, you could render the system unbootable. You would want to have a good backup of your data before trying this anyway...just in case.

No matter what, the solution seems to go back to getting a method of backing up your data, getting the apps ready, and just doing the clean install. And, as Arc said, a backup drive will cost far less than a second license for Windows 7.

 

[benja8151]

I understand. But actually, I would only need x64 Windows for one program, I don't need it for the ones that are currently installed (something more than 400 Gb)-that's why Unallocated would be big enough for me (90 Gb). When the time will come, I will upgrade fully to x64(maybe when my computer is unrepairable because of the virus ), but for now, x86 serves me well enough.

 

[benja8151]

And by the way, I already have a licence for x64 Windows 7- it came with my computer when I bought it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Is that license key currently in use for your current x86 install? If you do decide to go ahead with the dual boot, I would still strongly recommend having your data backed up first.

 

[debugged]

I see that Unallocated is already a logical partition. So can I simply put x64 Windows 7 installation DVD in, boot from DVD and install it? Will it do all by itself?

I thought unallocated meant not formatted yet, so how is it logical. If you have no data on that partition, run Partition Wizard and create a logical partition of the size you want (do you really need 97GB for Windows?) Then install from your DVD.

 

[benja8151]

@DeaconFrost

I got two DVDs with my computer-one for x86 W7 and the other with x64 W7, but x86 was preinstalled on the computer.

@debugged

Well, this program says different:

Although it seems strange to me too.

 

[Arc]

About your dual boot installation, follow it carefully.

1. boot into PW live cd, create a new partition , and format it logical. I have stated it in my previous post that other than that why windows will not be installed there.

2. After applying the changes, restart your computer, and boot into Win7 64 bit DVD, install it in the new partition . It will be automatically add the boot entry in the MBR.

3. If you want to change the boot sequence, you can do it by using EasyBCD .

 

[debugged]

Well, this program says different

That's why I would use Partition Wizard - reliable and easy to use.

 

[benja8151]

Ok, thank's for help, but I will do that tomorrow, it's a little late here in Slovenia.

 

[Arc]

Yeah, but will I be able to install Windows 7 x64 on a logical partition?

You will be fine installing 7 to logical partition - the boot information for the new operating system will be added to the boot manager in your system reserve partition automatically.

Ok, thank's for help, but I will do that tomorrow, it's a little late here in Slovenia.

Best of luck . Dont forget to use Partition Wizard Bootable CD to create and format the new partition .

 

[DeaconFrost]

I got two DVDs with my computer-one for x86 W7 and the other with x64 W7, but x86 was preinstalled on the computer.

Well, there's your show-stopper. The license is likely tied up already with the x86 OS, and can't be used at the same time for the x64. One license is one computer, one OS platform at a time. If you want both OSes installed at once, you'd need two separate keys.

I was going to tell you that you don't need extra software or to format the unallocated space before starting the install, but without a second key, it doesn't matter at this point.

 

[Arc]

I got two DVDs with my computer-one for x86 W7 and the other with x64 W7, but x86 was preinstalled on the computer.

Well, there's your show-stopper. The license is likely tied up already with the x86 OS, and can't be used at the same time for the x64. One license is one computer, one OS platform at a time. If you want both OSes installed at once, you'd need two separate keys.

I was going to tell you that you don't need extra software or to format the unallocated space before starting the install, but without a second key, it doesn't matter at this point.

It would be installed, but would not be activated- isn't it ? Moreover, if it is tried to activate using the existing key, there is a fair chance that it would be blocked.

If the OP do have/ can afford a second license key, he would be able to manage the situation .

 

[DeaconFrost]

I've never tried, but as far as I know and have read, since the hardware hashes would match, when he tried to activate, he'd get a message that the key was already in use.

 

[benja8151]

Oh come on, Microsoft and it's licence keys . If a licence will be blocked, will that non-genuine sign appear also on x86 Windows?

 

[DeaconFrost]

That's nothing to get angry at Microsoft for. People always have the option of using Linux if they don't like license keys, or OSX where you have to pay an OS price for what amounts to a service pack.

I believe it would fail to activate the newer, x64 OS, but would leave your older x86 OS intact. Maybe someone with more experience would chime in, but that's always been the case...and the reason I brought up the license keys way back in the early part of the thread.

The reason people don't come across this "issue", again, is something I mentioned early on...that there's no reason to dual boot the same OS. I would actually go so far as to say there's no need to dual boot at all anymore, but some people are afraid of virtualization for whatever reason.

 

[debugged]

Dont forget to use Partition Wizard Bootable CD to create and format the new partition

Actually, I think he will be all right using the desktop PW in his 32-bit Windows 7 - he can format his partition to logical and then reboot to install the 64-bit Windows 7 to it with his DVD.
As long as he has the keys for both systems.

 

[benja8151]

I'll give it a try. If x64 won't be activated, I'll simply delete it and party over.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You don't need to format the partition ahead of time. Call me old school, but I always install my OSes to blank, unformatted drives/partitions.

I'll give it a try. If x64 won't be activated, I'll simply delete it and party over.

No harm in trying it, I suppose, but one of the OSes is going to start complaining. I still wouldn't mess with partitions and second OSes without backing up important data. We've seen too many threads of people asking for help on recovering their data because they didn't back up first.

 

[benja8151]

Hm, now you've scared me a little bit. I will leave it as it is, it's not so important for me to have x64 Windows afterall. But I remember I have a Windows XP CD somewhere too, can I install that?

 

[debugged]

You don't need to format the partition ahead of time.

It's when you start doing multi-boots that it is often better to format ahead of time. In this case, I have some doubts about that unallocated space, and it will all be much clearer what he is doing if he uses Partition Wizard than it would be with the Windows installation UI.