Window 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro Dual Boot (No option at boot up)

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro
       #1

    Window 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro Dual Boot (No option at boot up)


    I am not getting the screen asking me to choose which Operating system at boot up. It gives me no options and just Boots straight to the C drive where I have Windows 7 Pro.
    In preparation I shrunk the Volume of the C drive and created a new partition (E) in which I made it a simple volume NTFS . I then installed Windows 8 Pro from the CD ROM and everything went fine. However when I re boot it just Boots straight into Windows 7 Pro and no mention of Windows 8.
    I tried to use Easy BCD 2.2 and now I have three entries (1) Windows 7 (2) Microsoft Windows 7 (3) Microsoft Windows 8
    When I select Windows 8 at boot up I then get an error telling me the boot Load EXE file is corrupt

    I am really stumped, I have loaded windows 8 four times and still get the same result. My ultimate goal is to get the Windows Dual Boot Screen.

    Window 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro Dual Boot (No option at boot up)-capture.png
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  2. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Forgot to mention


    Both are 64 Bit and sorry if I should have posted this in Windows 8 Forum. I am new here
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  3. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #3

    You are installing the Windows 8 boot files to G:.

    Physically disconnect the G: & O: HDD drives.
    Make the Windows 7 HD, disk0 & first HD boot in BIOS.Also connected to the first Sata port on the MOBO.
    When Windows 8 & 7 are booting OK, Reconnect the other two HD, as Disk1 & Disk2.

    Mark the G: HD Drive INACTIVE
    Partition - Mark as Inactive
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  4. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks Theog


    I got your response and I will try it tomorrow. Thanks for the information and I will give that a shot.

    I thought the drives looked messy!!!
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  5. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #5

    What is Program Files G: and why is it marked active ?

    Do as theog suggested and it will work.
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  6. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Program Files G


    I wanted to speed up my computer so I just have the operating systems on a SSD and the program files I load to a separate drive (ie office, Adobe programs etc) Is this a mistake?
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  7. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #7

    Yes, it is, all your programs should be installed on C on the ssd. The whole purpose of using a ssd is for speed, correct. So by putting programs on another drive you are slowing it down. And what if you want to make a disk image of C. You can store your data on the other drive. Docs, pics etc but keep your OS and programs all on 1 drive/partition.
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  8. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Re SSD and program files


    Okay so I have an issue. I split the drive into 2 partitions, the SSD is 120 GB, will I be able to fit both Operating systems and programs on this drive and still run fast? I was concerned the drive would fill up and then be slow.
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    AddRAM gave you the reasons not to put Program files on another HD, and there's no reason to separate them out onto another partition either. They write keys to the registry which make them a part of the OS until uninstalled so should be on its partition for imaging purposes.

    The System flag is on System Reserved partition signifying it is booting Win7. Try installing EasyBCD to Win7, then on Edit OS Menu tab highlight and Delete all but the Win7 entry. Then on the Add OS Entry tab add Win8 by name, type and drive letter as seen from Win7. This may resolve the problem. If not reinstall Win8 to the partition you made for it.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 31 Jan 2013 at 00:23.
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  10. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Theogg, AddRAM and gregrocker, Thank You all for your assistance after a long 3 days of doing complete re installs I have an Option screen at Boot for Win 7 and Win 8. I have also reconfigured all my hard drives and I am happy.
    I also found out how to eliminate that darn system reserved 100MB file.

    I have posted a picture of the new configuration. Please let me know if I should make any changes to my drives (ie Active etc)

    And yes all my programs are on the 120GB ssd drive along with the OS as you suggested lets see if we see any change in speed for me.

    Again Thank You all.
    Window 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro Dual Boot (No option at boot up)-new-config.png
      My Computer


 
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