A special DualBoot - how?

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Burgurne

Danish Viking
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Greetings.
I have now a Windows 7 install in one SSD in MBR-mode
I have also a Windows 8 install on another SSD in GPT mode.

As now I choose which system to buut by BIOS, but I would like to have a boot menu, so I don't have to use BIOS to select.

Is it possible to greate a dualboot menu after BOTH installations is done? If so, how do I do it? Which will be the "main boot SSD", the MBR or the GPT moded SSD?

I know it is a bit backward work that has to be done, but I'm so dissapointed about Windows 8, that I don't want to loose my Windows 7. :o
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homebrewed
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 retail
CPU
Core i5 3570K @ 4,4Ghz
Motherboard
MSI Z77A GD65
Memory
16Gbyte Corsair C9 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Lightning GTX 770
Sound Card
Auzentech
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD, Samsung SSD 830 256Gbyte, Seagate 3Tbyte HDD, WD 4 Tbyte HDD.
PSU
Zahlmann 850HP
Case
Corsair Carbide 500R
Keyboard
G15 logitech
Mouse
Logitech Laser MX1000
Internet Speed
60/60
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Chrome

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Bluethunder II
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate and numerous virtual machines
CPU
AMD FX-8350 Vishera 32nm Technology @ 4.2 GHz default
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 (Socket 942)
Memory
G Skill 32.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 1204MHz (11-13-13-31)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB Super SC ACX 2.0+ with Back Plate
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Titanium HD Audiophile PCIe
Monitor(s) Displays
LG L227WTG x 3
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050 16:10
Hard Drives
238GB Samsung850 PRO SATA Disk Device (SSD)
1863GB Seagate ST2000DM 001-1CH164 (SATA)
1397GB Seagate ST1500DL 003-9VT16L(SATA)
466GB Western Digital WDC WD50 03AZEX-00K1GA0 (SATA) x 2
932GB Seagate ST310005 28AS SATA Disk Device (SATA)
PSU
Enermax Revolution87+ 1000 Watts Gold Certified Power Supply
Case
Rocketfish Full Tower
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Push Pull 120mm Fans
Keyboard
Logitech K740
Mouse
Logitech G100S Laser LED + Logitech Gamepad F310
Internet Speed
500 mbs down and 30mbs up
Antivirus
Malwarebytes Pro & Avast and MSE on certain Virtual Machines
Browser
Firefox (Main) Chrome, Internet Explorer (Back Up)
Other Info
Logitech X 230 2.1 Stereo System and 5.1 Yamaha RX V2090
B&W DM6 Monitor Speakers + Center and Surround Speakers
Using Mouse Without Borders (Google it)
Are you using the Windows 8 Upgrade?

Windows 8 EULA

Microsoft said:
What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.
Click to expand...

If yes,
You would have NO original software.
You will need to delete Windows 7 install.
 

My Computer

OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
Indianatone said:
The program I use for this exact thing (I have 3 versions of 7 on the same machine) is EASY BCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Free for non commercial use. This is NOT a TOY, be careful with the program as it can mess stuff up. If you install the program it will offer you a choice of booting to operating systems. Check out the FAQ EasyBCD Documentation Home - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
Click to expand...

Well, it seems like it is not this I can be using, this line is from the FAQ:

Does EasyBCD have EFI support?
No, not yet.

And as I wrote, the Windows 8 is GPT (or as they put it) in EFI mode.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homebrewed
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 retail
CPU
Core i5 3570K @ 4,4Ghz
Motherboard
MSI Z77A GD65
Memory
16Gbyte Corsair C9 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Lightning GTX 770
Sound Card
Auzentech
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD, Samsung SSD 830 256Gbyte, Seagate 3Tbyte HDD, WD 4 Tbyte HDD.
PSU
Zahlmann 850HP
Case
Corsair Carbide 500R
Keyboard
G15 logitech
Mouse
Logitech Laser MX1000
Internet Speed
60/60
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Chrome
theog said:
Are you using the Windows 8 Upgrade?

Windows 8 EULA

Microsoft said:
What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.
Click to expand...

If yes,
You would have NO original software.
You will need to delete Windows 7 install.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is an Win 8 Pro Upgrade, but I choose to take 2 weeks of "side by side" with my Windows 7 Ultimate, as Windows 8 still has so many troubble, and I will have to find workarounds for them. After that I will of course only be running 1 OS, as I don't want to use the ekstra SSD-space nessesary for using 2 complete OS-installs. As for now I think it will be Windows 7 Ultimate, I choose to keep.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homebrewed
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 retail
CPU
Core i5 3570K @ 4,4Ghz
Motherboard
MSI Z77A GD65
Memory
16Gbyte Corsair C9 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Lightning GTX 770
Sound Card
Auzentech
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD, Samsung SSD 830 256Gbyte, Seagate 3Tbyte HDD, WD 4 Tbyte HDD.
PSU
Zahlmann 850HP
Case
Corsair Carbide 500R
Keyboard
G15 logitech
Mouse
Logitech Laser MX1000
Internet Speed
60/60
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Chrome
Burgurne said:
Indianatone said:
The program I use for this exact thing (I have 3 versions of 7 on the same machine) is EASY BCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Free for non commercial use. This is NOT a TOY, be careful with the program as it can mess stuff up. If you install the program it will offer you a choice of booting to operating systems. Check out the FAQ EasyBCD Documentation Home - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
Click to expand...

Well, it seems like it is not this I can be using, this line is from the FAQ:

Does EasyBCD have EFI support?
No, not yet.

And as I wrote, the Windows 8 is GPT (or as they put it) in EFI mode.
Click to expand...

OK well that is all I know I am afraid. This would be my "sign" to forget about 8 at least for a while and use 7. :D
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Bluethunder II
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate and numerous virtual machines
CPU
AMD FX-8350 Vishera 32nm Technology @ 4.2 GHz default
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 (Socket 942)
Memory
G Skill 32.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 1204MHz (11-13-13-31)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB Super SC ACX 2.0+ with Back Plate
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Titanium HD Audiophile PCIe
Monitor(s) Displays
LG L227WTG x 3
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050 16:10
Hard Drives
238GB Samsung850 PRO SATA Disk Device (SSD)
1863GB Seagate ST2000DM 001-1CH164 (SATA)
1397GB Seagate ST1500DL 003-9VT16L(SATA)
466GB Western Digital WDC WD50 03AZEX-00K1GA0 (SATA) x 2
932GB Seagate ST310005 28AS SATA Disk Device (SATA)
PSU
Enermax Revolution87+ 1000 Watts Gold Certified Power Supply
Case
Rocketfish Full Tower
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Push Pull 120mm Fans
Keyboard
Logitech K740
Mouse
Logitech G100S Laser LED + Logitech Gamepad F310
Internet Speed
500 mbs down and 30mbs up
Antivirus
Malwarebytes Pro & Avast and MSE on certain Virtual Machines
Browser
Firefox (Main) Chrome, Internet Explorer (Back Up)
Other Info
Logitech X 230 2.1 Stereo System and 5.1 Yamaha RX V2090
B&W DM6 Monitor Speakers + Center and Surround Speakers
Using Mouse Without Borders (Google it)
Well, you let me know that such programs are out there, so I will now look for such a program that do support EFI :)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homebrewed
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 retail
CPU
Core i5 3570K @ 4,4Ghz
Motherboard
MSI Z77A GD65
Memory
16Gbyte Corsair C9 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Lightning GTX 770
Sound Card
Auzentech
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD, Samsung SSD 830 256Gbyte, Seagate 3Tbyte HDD, WD 4 Tbyte HDD.
PSU
Zahlmann 850HP
Case
Corsair Carbide 500R
Keyboard
G15 logitech
Mouse
Logitech Laser MX1000
Internet Speed
60/60
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Chrome
Burgurne said:
Well, you let me know that such programs are out there, so I will now look for such a program that do support EFI :)
Click to expand...

Good Luck and run it by the forum here, someone may need the help in the future. :D
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Bluethunder II
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate and numerous virtual machines
CPU
AMD FX-8350 Vishera 32nm Technology @ 4.2 GHz default
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 (Socket 942)
Memory
G Skill 32.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 1204MHz (11-13-13-31)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB Super SC ACX 2.0+ with Back Plate
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Titanium HD Audiophile PCIe
Monitor(s) Displays
LG L227WTG x 3
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050 16:10
Hard Drives
238GB Samsung850 PRO SATA Disk Device (SSD)
1863GB Seagate ST2000DM 001-1CH164 (SATA)
1397GB Seagate ST1500DL 003-9VT16L(SATA)
466GB Western Digital WDC WD50 03AZEX-00K1GA0 (SATA) x 2
932GB Seagate ST310005 28AS SATA Disk Device (SATA)
PSU
Enermax Revolution87+ 1000 Watts Gold Certified Power Supply
Case
Rocketfish Full Tower
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Push Pull 120mm Fans
Keyboard
Logitech K740
Mouse
Logitech G100S Laser LED + Logitech Gamepad F310
Internet Speed
500 mbs down and 30mbs up
Antivirus
Malwarebytes Pro & Avast and MSE on certain Virtual Machines
Browser
Firefox (Main) Chrome, Internet Explorer (Back Up)
Other Info
Logitech X 230 2.1 Stereo System and 5.1 Yamaha RX V2090
B&W DM6 Monitor Speakers + Center and Surround Speakers
Using Mouse Without Borders (Google it)
The problem is that EasyBCD modifies the MBR and a GPT disk has no MBR.

You've actually got the cleanest Dual Boot method now via BIOS, as we've discovered over the years here.

As to having a decent test period for your Win8 before having to surrender your 7 license, I don't think you'll be faulted for wanting to do this. In a Clean Install I believe you should even have some time before it Activates.

If you don't like Metro then you can get the exact same Win7 Start menu grafted on using Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8 and add replica 7 gadgets using 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8.

What you have then is essentially a slightly faster (decide for yourself) Win7 since it doesn't load Metro or the 8 crApps. But for only that I will stick with 7.
 
OK, sounds like I should just stay with my BIOS select for now.
My greatest annoying about Windows 8 (except for Metro) is its very slow USB3 performance compared to windows 7.
If that is not solved soon, then it is farewell to windows 8 for me.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homebrewed
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 retail
CPU
Core i5 3570K @ 4,4Ghz
Motherboard
MSI Z77A GD65
Memory
16Gbyte Corsair C9 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Lightning GTX 770
Sound Card
Auzentech
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD, Samsung SSD 830 256Gbyte, Seagate 3Tbyte HDD, WD 4 Tbyte HDD.
PSU
Zahlmann 850HP
Case
Corsair Carbide 500R
Keyboard
G15 logitech
Mouse
Logitech Laser MX1000
Internet Speed
60/60
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Chrome
Make sure you have the latest USB3 driver from the Support Downloads webpage for your model.
 
There is no new driver for USB3 at MSI :(
Others with same Z77 chipset has the same problem
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homebrewed
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 retail
CPU
Core i5 3570K @ 4,4Ghz
Motherboard
MSI Z77A GD65
Memory
16Gbyte Corsair C9 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Lightning GTX 770
Sound Card
Auzentech
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD, Samsung SSD 830 256Gbyte, Seagate 3Tbyte HDD, WD 4 Tbyte HDD.
PSU
Zahlmann 850HP
Case
Corsair Carbide 500R
Keyboard
G15 logitech
Mouse
Logitech Laser MX1000
Internet Speed
60/60
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Chrome
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