Last Question Before setting up Dual Boot.

XGUNTHERC · 05 May 2009

Hey guys. I got my new drive. I'm about to set it up. Run some HDTune to check it. then load of Win 7 on my new speedy HD.

I had a question. I'm going to be dual booting with Vista on my current seagate 500.. and I'll be loading 7 to my new WD Black 640GB. So I understand I get it all installed. Restart the PC. then from here what do I do to make sure it writes to the NEW drive, and doesn't reformat the old.. I'd hate for that to happen.

I don't need to unplug my old 500GB or anything drastic right. I can simply just enter the BIOS. Change the boot order for it to load from CD.. and then I get to choose what drive to install 2.. and that will be the one I choose. right?? the 640GB. or would I need to set the 640GB for Master. and then reboot with CD in..

Also my new drive didn't come with a master/slave pin. so should I unplug my old HD when getting ready to install so I don't copy over it. or no?

I've basically never installed 2 OS's on the same computer before so just asking some of these basic questions.

Thanks!

(p.s. SF.com sure is getting busy these days, I love it)

XGUNTHERC · 05 May 2009

let me rephrase this. I already have vista on my current HD. I'm about to install 7 on my new drive..

is all I do add the new drive. Change boot order. and then boot from the install disk. and will the win 7 installation let me choose what drive to install to??

Also do I need any boot programs to Dual boot later. or will it just work?

rkseagle · 05 May 2009

XGUNTHERC said:

will the win 7 installation let me choose what drive to install to??

Also do I need any boot programs to Dual boot later. or will it just work?

First Question, Yes, you will choose which drive to install Windows 7 on during the setup process. The drives are in a graphic representation that is quite easy to understand. It is better (in my opinion) to have the new hard drive formatted BEFORE attempting to install Windows 7. Last time I looked that was no provision to do a full NTFS format during setup, on a quick format. Quick format still works but the internal bliss knowing that you have given your new disk the royal treatment is wonderful.

Second Question, No, the Windows 7 boot manager takes care of that for you and you can later switch between the two systems to choose the default sytem to boot.