Dual Boot - HDD#1 Vista Ultimate & HDD#2 Win 7 Pro

[domineaux]

Currently using 400GB HDD #1 working with Vista Ultimate 64Bit OS.

Recently bought 500GB SATA HDD #2 installed Win 7 Pro

I realize I can just set in bios to use one or the other drive, but that doesn't sound like a best way.

In order to use both drives it may be best to dual boot.

I could use a link or information on how to perform this.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Welcome!

Basically, just install Windows 7 on the second drive while your first one is still attached.

You can read this tutorial for a more detailed plan.

If you have any problems or questions, we are happy to answer them.

Good luck!

~JK

 

[domineaux]

Currently I have the two OS installed on two drives.

-------------------

The two drives on my computer are C: = Vista and F: = Win 7, when I boot Vista.

I need to know how to setup the boot program screen to select OS when you are back at startup after bios checks.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Sure, no problem. Windows 7 will put itself as the default OS when you install it, but if you want to change that, see this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2282-default-operating-system-change-default-boot-os.html

 

[Saltgrass]

You could download EasyBCD from NeoSmart Technologies. You need to join the forum to be able to download the latest beta version 2.0.0.79 build.

You could use bcdedit, which is a command line tool and there is a tutorial here for its use.

Or you could boot to the Repair CD or Install DVD, go to the repair options, open the command prompt and type:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Hit Enter and it will search for any Windows installs not already on the boot menu and add them if you allow.

If you want to see how it works first, use this command, which just looks for the installs and does not do anything.

bootrec /scanos

Type exit to close window, or just close and reboot.

 

[domineaux]

I may have other problems I never thought about.

The HDD#1 is an IDE 400GB with the Vista Ultimate 64B OS on it.

It boots fine on IDE as standalone.

I removed this drive and the HDD#2 The drive is 1.0TB (not 500GB as I thought) with the Win 7 on it

It boot fine as standalone onto the SATA drive.

All my working files are currently on the IDE drive.

I am running out of disk space so I bought another drive. IDE is on the way out so I bought a SATA.

WHen I hooked up my cabling to the SATA drive the BIOS does not see it.

I may have entered never never land by having IDE and SATA on same computer. LOL

Regardless, I know it should probably work. I've just got to get to the right information to workaround this.

I want to dual boot, because I have almost 400 GB in files and apps on the IDE drive. I would prefer to just steady work away from the IDE drive, but over time only.

I'll start over if need be by uninstall the Win 7 from the SATA drive.

I think first I've got to get my system to see both drives.

A few years back and I'd just reinstall everything. No longer possible, it would take days to re-install all I've got on the IDE drive. It is hard do realize just how big 400 GB actually is. LOL

 

[theog]

I may have other problems I never thought about.

The HDD#1 is an IDE 400GB with the Vista Ultimate 64B OS on it.

It boots fine on IDE as standalone.

I removed this drive and the HDD#2 The drive is 1.0TB (not 500GB as I thought) with the Win 7 on it

It boot fine as standalone onto the SATA drive.

All my working files are currently on the IDE drive.

I am running out of disk space so I bought another drive. IDE is on the way out so I bought a SATA.

WHen I hooked up my cabling to the SATA drive the BIOS does not see it.

I may have entered never never land by having IDE and SATA on same computer. LOL

Regardless, I know it should probably work. I've just got to get to the right information to workaround this.

I want to dual boot, because I have almost 400 GB in files and apps on the IDE drive. I would prefer to just steady work away from the IDE drive, but over time only.

I'll start over if need be by uninstall the Win 7 from the SATA drive.

I think first I've got to get my system to see both drives.

A few years back and I'd just reinstall everything. No longer possible, it would take days to re-install all I've got on the IDE drive. It is hard do realize just how big 400 GB actually is. LOL

Check you mobo manual for BIOS settings.

Make sure you backup your DATA.

 

[domineaux]

OK... I've got both drives booting, but I can only select the boot drive inside bios.

Windows explorer sees both drives so I can actually look through the folders.

I went into control panel/system/advanced and it shows only the drive with the OS I booted onto.

It doesn't appear to see the other drive to setup for a dual boot.

I'm wondering... I have Vista Ultimate 64 Bit OS. I realize I could have bought another Ultimate version of Win 7 and it would have updated over the Vista Ultimate. I just didn't want to spend the extra money for features I wouldn't use.

I haven't used them in the Vista version so it was just overkill.

Is there a software tool available that will upgrade the Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Pro available.

This way I could forget all the dual boot stuff and other issues.

Thanks for all the help

 

[gregrocker]

You can do an in-place upgrade from Vista Ultimate to Win7 pro by adapting this popular workaround: Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

Always back up your files before doing any kind of install/upgrade.

 

[pcdubu]

So I dont need to unplug the first HDD (Vista) while installing Win7 to the second HDD?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

So I dont need to unplug the first HDD (Vista) while installing Win7 to the second HDD?

Hello pcdubu, welcome to Seven Forums!


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