Changing primary partitions to logical

[benja8151]

So, I want to have Windows 7 Home Premium 86x and 64x versions installed on my PC with dualboot. I have 86x version of Windows 7 installed already. So, for 64x version, I have to create a new partition. The problem is, I already have 4 primary partitions, so I can't create a new one (I read somewhere that Windows have to be installed on a primary partition). Here is the picture:

(Don't mind disk 2, it's just the external drive).

If I try to create a partition on "Unallocated", Acronis Disk says this:

My question is, which of these partitions on disk 1 can I safely convert to logical? If I am wrong here and I still won't be able to create a new primary partition for Windows to be installed on, please let me know. I'm really not so good at this things.

 

[Arc]

This tutorial will help you to make the new partition as logical.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/146694-partition-extended-logical-drives.html

The local volume can be converted to logical safely. At first you are to back the entire data of the volume up . Then Boot into Partition Wizard live CD (download link is there in the tutorial). Now format the partition as logical .

Edit : I guessed that windows is not installed in Local Volume; it is in boot. I dont ues acronis. If you cam post a snip of your disk management window it would be easier to understand the situation more properly .

 

[benja8151]

Do you suggest method 1 or 2?

EDIT: OK, I didn't read carefully, the method 2 is the one to use.

 

[Arc]

Do you suggest method 1 or 2?

EDIT: OK, I didn't read carefully, the method 2 is the one to use.

Yes method 2 is my suggestion. Partition Wizard is a great free tool . It is an asset to you . But before proceeding, make it sure that windows is not installed in that partition (it should be in the boot partition), and dont forget to back your data up. You are to replace all those data after formatting it as logical .

 

[benja8151]

Edit : I guessed that windows is not installed in Local Volume; it is in boot. I dont ues acronis. If you cam post a snip of your disk management window it would be easier to understand the situation more properly .

Ok, but the language is Slovene, I hope you will understand a bit.

 

[Arc]

Acronis says the last partition is of 1001 gb, but disk management is saying it to be 1 gb (the OEM partition) ! Gb. There must be something wrong in my understanding the Acronis window.

Better you create a new partition in the unallocated 97.66 gb space, and format it as logical.

 

[benja8151]

Acronis says the last partition is of 1001 gb, but disk management is saying it to be 1 gb (the OEM partition) ! Gb. There must be something wrong in my understanding the Acronis window.

Better you create a new partition in the unallocated 97.66 gb space, and format it as logical.

Yeah, but will I be able to install Windows 7 x64 on a logical partition?

 

[DeaconFrost]

Holy over-partitioning, Batman! Have you considered drastically simplifying? First off, I'd ditch the dual-booting and go with a VM, especially since you are dual-booting the same OS. You don't need to worry about testing anymore or have a fear of going to x64. Second, if you make recovery discs and store them safe, you an do away with recovery partitions and regain the space.

K.I.S.S. is the philosophy I follow.

 

[benja8151]

The problem with virtualization is that I can't use all RAM available.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You could if you did a clean install with Windows 7 x64 only. Then if you needed to run an x86 OS, you could do so easily.

 

[benja8151]

Yeah but I don't want to lose data on my current Windows. So dualboot is the only option.

 

[DeaconFrost]

That's wasting a ton of space and the money it costs for a second license. Backup your data first, and then all is well. I'm going to sound like an ass when I say this....but we see this a lot. If that data is that precious that you don't want to lose it....you should have a method of backing it up already. Since it appears you have two drives, you could move your data to the second driver, and then disconnect it. Power the system back on and load Windows 7 x64 clean. Reconnect the drive once the OS is done, and you'll be simplified to one OS, and your data can be accessed to restore it.

 

[benja8151]

That works for documents, pictures...but my main concern are programs-I can't back up those. And I really don't want to reainstall them all again, do all the settings...

 

[Arc]

Acronis says the last partition is of 1001 gb, but disk management is saying it to be 1 gb (the OEM partition) ! Gb. There must be something wrong in my understanding the Acronis window.

Better you create a new partition in the unallocated 97.66 gb space, and format it as logical.

Yeah, but will I be able to install Windows 7 x64 on a logical partition?

As you already have 32 bit windows installed (that means you have a system partition), you can install another version of windows in a logical partition .

But as the a logical partition cannot be marked active, it will not be the system partition . A logical drive can boot from it, so it would not be a problem to boot an os from it .

Visualization is not a bad idea at all . When creating the virtual machine for windows 7 64 bit, you can adjust the RAM size .

 

[DeaconFrost]

What would happen if your primary hard drive dies? If they are important programs, then you always have a way of reinstalling them. Reinstall times and configuration is always over-blown. Yes, it takes time, but given the system will run at full efficiency, with latest drivers and app updates...it is well worth it in the end. I've simplified the process down for me to be able to do a clean install and software reload in about 90 minutes or so. I'm sure it will take others longer, but what you get in the long run is well worth it.

Setting up a dual boot isn't going to make your applications available to the x64 OS. You'd still be booting to the x86 side to use them. So you still aren't going to accomplish what you want, but you'll waste more disk space and chew up a second license key.

 

[debugged]

Yeah, but will I be able to install Windows 7 x64 on a logical partition?

You will be fine installing 7 to logical partition - the boot information for the new operating system will be added to the boot manager in your system reserve partition automatically.

 

[benja8151]

Here is another screenshot in another program:

@DeaconFrost

Do you mean programs won't work as in x64, but still in x86 (possibly slower)?

 

[benja8151]

I see that Unallocated is already a logical partition. So can I simply put x64 Windows 7 installation DVD in, boot from DVD and install it? Will it do all by itself?

 

[DeaconFrost]

I mean if you boot into x64, you won't be able to run the programs that are currently installed on the x86 side. You would need to have them installed on the x64 as well. You stated you can't do this for some reason. If that's still confusing, let me try with an example.

If you have a program, let's say Nero, install currently in Windows 7 x86. Then you set up a second OS, in Windows 7 x64. You won't be able to just magically boot into Windows 7 x64 and run Nero. You'd have to install Nero to the x64 OS so all the registry settings and system files get installed.

That's why I've been saying to simplify from the beginning. Get the reinstallation media or files for your programs, or find alternatives...then do a clean install of one OS, x64 in this case. Then you'll be able to reinstall your apps.

 

[Arc]

Technically there is a possibility of having a dual boot, but rationally I am with DeaconFrost. A license key is not that cheap as storage spaces are

I see that Unallocated is already a logical partition. So can I simply put x64 Windows 7 installation DVD in, boot from DVD and install it? Will it do all by itself?

First you are to allocate the space, format it to be able to be used. It is better done by PW live CD. A windows 7 disk cannot make a logical partition , and you do have maximum number of permissible partitions(that a windows 7 disk can make); so the partition will not be formatted and windows wount be installed.

First format that partition as logical, and then install 64 bit windows in that partition, if you really want to have a dual boot .