2 separate bootable Windows 7 hard disks - can you edit files between

I just got a new computer. The main drive I'm going to use is a SSD which I haven't put in yet where I'm going to try cloning the hard disk of my current computer onto (then try repair install to see if I can 'revive' it to the new hardware while losing less stuff) that runs Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.
There's a 2nd blank hard disk already in the computer.
I'm hoping to ALSO install Windows 7 Pro 64 bit on the 2nd hard disk, and have it as a 'backup' bootable drive in case something goes wrong with the main installation. (Don't tell me this is overkill).
I'm aware you probably need a new serial for the 2nd installation (?)

I had this similar setup on my old computer, because I started with a Win XP drive then I 'upgraded' by putting in a 2nd bootable hard disk with Windows 7 Pro, I just selected the disk to boot from in my BIOS. In Windows XP the Win 7 drive just appeared like a normal storage drive. Several times I corrupted system files in Windows 7 and couldn't fix it, but then I could just replace the files on the Windows 7 drive within Windows XP like it was any old folder. Every problem I've ever had has been fixed rapidly simply by fixing it within Windows XP.

So this is what I want to know:

-If there is a 2nd hard disk with Windows 7 installed, can you just automatically replace the files on it from the other installation of Windows 7, or does it see it's some kind of Windows 7 folder and say it's 'protected'? I mean the system files etc. not just documents.
- Is there some kind of order I have to install Windows 7 on the drives? Do I have to unplug the other one when I install Win7 on a drive?

Please be clear I want the separate, independent Windows 7 installations on separate hard disks, not partitions.

caracal0 said:

I'm hoping to ALSO install Windows 7 Pro 64 bit on the 2nd hard disk, and have it as a 'backup' bootable drive in case something goes wrong with the main installation. (Don't tell me this is overkill).

Please be clear I want the separate, independent Windows 7 installations on separate hard disks, not partitions.

Are you going on record that your idea of 2 separate Windows 7 installations on 2 separate internal hard drives is the only acceptable method (to you) "in case something goes wrong with the main installation"?

I won't tell you it's overkill.

I might tell you it's something else, but I won't even do that if your answer to my question is yes.

ignatzatsonic said:

caracal0 said:

I'm hoping to ALSO install Windows 7 Pro 64 bit on the 2nd hard disk, and have it as a 'backup' bootable drive in case something goes wrong with the main installation. (Don't tell me this is overkill).

Please be clear I want the separate, independent Windows 7 installations on separate hard disks, not partitions.

Are you going on record that your idea of 2 separate Windows 7 installations on 2 separate internal hard drives is the only acceptable method (to you) "in case something goes wrong with the main installation"?

I won't tell you it's overkill.

I might tell you it's something else, but I won't even do that if your answer to my question is yes.

What I mean is, I want to be told how to do the thing in my post, please. I don't want to be told to do something else instead.

caracal0 said:

What I mean is, I want to be told how to do the thing in my post, please. I don't want to be told to do something else instead.

OK. I'll take that as a "yes" answer.

Good luck. Carry on.

You can clone or image over the old install to the SSD to see if it will boot in the new PC. For this I'd use Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

Once imaged to the SSD if it won't start in the new PC then Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD.

If this is too much trouble or won't work for you then you can always Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

You don't need a second OS as backup, just keep a backup image so if it ever becomes irreparable you can reimage the SSD or its replacement in 20 minutes.