hp providian has two 512meg hdd's I have vista 32bit installed on one hdd
Would like to install windows 7 64 bit on the other hdd as a dual boot.
Never done dual boot before. there are some programs on the second hdd it
only has one partition. Can I just install it on that drive as is and still have the
programs remain,or do I have to split the drive into 2 partitions?
If you try to install a 64 bit OS from within a 32 bit OS you will get an error message. I stand corrected on my earlier post...with CD install is doable...I appologize for the misinformation, had 17 other things on my mind...
Last edited by DMHolt57; 14 Jul 2009 at 17:00.
In the d4995t ... and most other HPs ...
Install the OS in each HDD independent of any others.
I only connect one HDD when I install an OS.
When you boot the computer ..
It will default to the drive connected to the first SATA port ... port 0.
If you tap the esc key at boot up ..
It will enter the boot loader where you can choose which HDD to boot from.
It's just too easy .. my HP d4996t, a couple versions of W7 ago
What is in the second HDD ???
I'd copy the programs on the second HDD >> to a folder in the first HDD ..
or an external HDD.
Then, I'd delete the partition(s) on the second HDD ..
Then, I'd disconnect the first HDD .. and install W7
(the d4995t will boot to the first bootable HDD it finds .. by default)
Then you can Shrink the W7 C partition .. and make a new partition in the unalloacted space ...
And copy your programs from the first HDD back to the new partition.
.. See my data partitions .. This is how they were made, initially.
You will need a third party defragger to shrink the W7 C/system partition to something less that about 118gig.
I cheat and use my XP system to defrag my Vista or W7 Systems so I can shrink down to about 80 gig.
Your d4995t will run 32 or 64 bit systems .. No problem.
Your Boot screen that will be enabled if you tap the esc key at bootup .. 4HDDs connected ..
Last edited by noyb; 14 Jul 2009 at 18:05.
My second drive is a 512meg sata and has only one partition
with a number of programs on it. Do I need to make a new partition
for windows or just install on the same partition as the programs.
Quess I can back every thing up first.
sorry about that I mean 512GB on the hdd.
I will copy the programs on 2nd hdd to a folder on
the 1st drive where vista is. Can I copy them back
to the second drive after I install w7? Or should I
make two partitions on 2nd hdd 1 for w7 and one for programs?
thanks for taking the time to help me
I would ...
Copy the programs in disc 2 to a folder in the Vista drive ..
Use Vista to delete all the partitions on Disc 2
Disconnect the Vista HD ..
Install W7 ...
Use W7 to shrink the W7 partition ..
(You may have to check back here when you try to shrink the W7 Partition)
Create a new partition in the space remaining after shrinking the W7 partition ..
Reconnect the Vista Drive.
Boot to the W7 HD ... Or the vista HD .. (your choice)
And copy the programs back to the new partition in the W7 Drive.
I just performed this procedure this morning to create a new W7-7600 (x64) HD
Quote