Duel Boot Win 7 x64 and x32

[ddevito]

I am currently using win 7 Ult. X64 on my corporate domain with a dynamic IP. I would like to run duel boot with win 7 Ult. X32 with a static IP address. My laptop only has the one hard drive and I have tried everything I can think of to make this happen. I partitioned the hard drive but it will only create a dynamic partition and win 7 will not let me install on a dynamic drive. One of the four partitions on my drive is set up for system restore so if I convert to a basic drive I am afraid the restore will not function. I also looked into using VHD but I don’t think I can run it with the static IP. Does anyone know of a way to accomplish the Win7 X64/32 duel boot?

 

[gregrocker]

It's unlikely your HD came from factory partitioned as Dynamic Disk. This likely happened when you created the Dual Boot partition and accepted the conversion warning. You'll need to delete the partiition you created in Disk Management, then convert back to Basic using Partition Wizard home edition v. 4.2 partition wizard 4.2 free.zip - Windows Live

Once you do this, post back a screenshot of your maximized full Disk Mgmt drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, and we can advise you how to create the new partition as a Logical extended partition which will allow further expansion without converting the disk.

To answer your IP address question, I would post it anew in Networking sub-forum as it was sorted here due to it's title.

 

[ddevito]

Ok Greg, I have reset the drives to basic and set aside a section for the new partition. (see attached) How should I proceed from here?

Thanks

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello ddevito, welcome to Seven Forums!


The only way you are going to get any usable space without destroying the factory partition structure is to use the Method Two in this tutorial at the first link below, Windows has a 4 partition limit, I'm sure that's what got you a Dynamic disk in the first place.

You will have to extend the C: partition back into the unallocated space first and then you will be able to proceed; I'm sure using the bootable Partition Wizard will get you a bigger shrink/resize of the C: partition, to free up more space for storage if you like, after you have converted it to an Extended partition / Logical drive.

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

Then have a look at this one below for some ideas.

System Reserved : Multi Boot from Logical Partitions


Be sure to use the Partition Wizard Bootable Disk (PWBD) and not the installed version; download the PWBD ISO file from this link and burn the ISO to CD then boot the CD to make the changes.

Partition Wizard Free Bootable CD

ImgBurn Free ISO Burning Software


I've add a snip of your disk management for those that don't have access to word.

click to enlarge

​

 

[gregrocker]

To summarize: boot the PW Boot CD, rightclick C to Resize, drag right grey border to the right to take up the unallocated space, click OK.

Now rightclick C to Modify>Convert to Logical, OK. Apply all Steps.

Once C converts, rightclick it again to Resize, drag right grey border to left to size your Win7 partition as you like, click OK. Rightclick unallocated space to create New Logical partition(s), label and letter, OK, Apply all steps.

You can create as many Logical sub-partitions as you want in the Extended partition.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Does anyone know of a way to accomplish the Win7 X64/32 duel boot?

What would be the purpose or goal of dual booting the same OS?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Does anyone know of a way to accomplish the Win7 X64/32 duel boot?

What would be the purpose or goal of dual booting the same OS?

I guess because he wants to, for the experience of it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

It's the same OS, though. If there's a question about platform compatibility, a quick Google search will yield the answer.

 

[ddevito]

The reason is to run one with a static IP on one network and the other on the corp. network with a dynamic IP. Also one would run 64 bit and the other 32 bit for different software not set to run on 64.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Did you see my post #4 above?

 

[ddevito]

Okay Kid and Greg, between your two replies I think I know what I am doing. I will keep you posted. Thanks

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

OK, be sure to post back here if you have further questions.

 

[LagoonLegion]

Wow, this issue had a long debate.

As my knowledge, there is no way to install the same Windows (same version) of different platforms (32x and 64x) in a computer.

It is not possible.

Legion

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Wow, this issue had a long debate.

As my knowledge, there is no way to install the same Windows (same version) of different platforms (32x and 64x) in a computer.

It is not possible.

Legion

I guess you've never seen anything like this then. :shock:

​

 

[LagoonLegion]

Well, you really like to pick me as a target.

By the way, anyone can create as many extensions as they like with the booting manager.

Having booting extension is not neccessary an OS is integrated with it.

If you really have the ways to create two Windows 7, one with 32x and another with 64x; I would really like to know but please post the steps or article about it. Your preview (snapshot above) is not really an evidence of doing so.

Thank you

Legion

 

[DeaconFrost]

The reason is to run one with a static IP on one network and the other on the corp. network with a dynamic IP. Also one would run 64 bit and the other 32 bit for different software not set to run on 64.

There are ways around both of those points, especially the software compatibility issue.

 

[ddevito]

Sucess, thanks for everyones help.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again.


Good to see you got it going and thanks for the update.