Dual boot of two Windows 7's on the same PC

[ManFromTheWeb]

Hi everybody!

I have a desktop computer I use for both work and normal home use. I've had separate profiles for these different uses, but I've recently had the idea of installing another copy of Windows 7 alongside the current one, to be used solely for work, while the other would remain purely for home use. This is to separate home and work uses, as well the software and settings specific for both.

And how to install? Will there be some conflicts if I'll install the new copy while I have the current OS disk disconnected. And then after installation is complete, reconnect the current OS disk. Should dual boot be working now? I've done normal dual boot before with XP and Ubuntu, but have never tried to dual install the same OS.

Should I get EasyBCD ready, just in case some MBR conflicts occur because of the install?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.




The first issue is, do you have a second activation key as you will not be able to use the same key for both installations; 1 key = 1 installed OS; if you try to use it on 2 separate installs the key will be black-listed and will not work to activate an OS at all.

 

[ManFromTheWeb]

No, I just have a single license, but if this dual install proves feasible, I'll buy a second one. But isn't it possible to test it by installing Windows 7 without a key, and if it works, then buy and enter a new one, and I'm all set?

BTW, thanks for the warning about key being revoked!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have a look at the tutorial at the link below.


Activation Trial Period - Extend Up to 120 Days





Also have a look at this one for some ideas.


Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

 

[ManFromTheWeb]

Thanks for the links! I'll try this out today, and I'll post here how it goes.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yes, do be sure to post back with updates.

 

[Dixon Butz]

Why would you need a 2nd license? It's the same hardware. It is just like formating and reinstalling. It should activate. If not, he can call.
It's not like hes running 2 OS at the same time.

 

[madtownidiot]

There's nothing anywhere in the EULA that says you can't install it twice on the same computer so long as both copies aren't running simultaneously

 

[letsdoamazing]

There's nothing anywhere in the EULA that says you can't install it twice on the same computer so long as both copies aren't running simultaneously

That can't be right. So I could have one computer at my vacation home with one copy of 7 on it, and then I have another computer at my other house with the same copy installed. So, as long as I turned one of the machines off I could run that one copy? I don't think so.

 

[Dixon Butz]

There's nothing anywhere in the EULA that says you can't install it twice on the same computer so long as both copies aren't running simultaneously

That can't be right. So I could have one computer at my vacation home with one copy of 7 on it, and then I have another computer at my other house with the same copy installed. So, as long as I turned one of the machines off I could run that one copy? I don't think so.

As long as the hardware is the same it would work.

 

[madtownidiot]

There's nothing anywhere in the EULA that says you can't install it twice on the same computer so long as both copies aren't running simultaneously

That can't be right. So I could have one computer at my vacation home with one copy of 7 on it, and then I have another computer at my other house with the same copy installed. So, as long as I turned one of the machines off I could run that one copy? I don't think so.

That's NOT what I said....I said both on the SAME COMPUTER.
Regardless of which OS install is running it's the same PKEY attached to the same UUID, which as far as I'm concerned is perfectly okay

 

[Zepher]

I setup my friends machine for triple boot:
XP for Protools since his hardware version only works in XP
7 Ultimate for Graphics and most things
7 Professional for Premiere only

They are all on different drives and he just goes into the BIOS and selects which drive is number 1 in the boot order and boots the OS from that drive.

 

[letsdoamazing]

There's nothing anywhere in the EULA that says you can't install it twice on the same computer so long as both copies aren't running simultaneously

That can't be right. So I could have one computer at my vacation home with one copy of 7 on it, and then I have another computer at my other house with the same copy installed. So, as long as I turned one of the machines off I could run that one copy? I don't think so.

As long as the hardware is the same it would work.

That makes sense, It just seems like each partition would require a key, just like any partition would. How would the key know its on only one machine, if the key is entered twice, its entered twice. Trying to wrap my head around this. :huh:

 

[madtownidiot]

Every computer has a unique hardware identifier number (UUID) that's flashed into bios, which Microsoft can read during the activation process. You might be able to install from the same retail disk to more than one computer, but you can't activate the second installation with the same key, even if you have two identical computers that rolled off the assembly line sequentially.

 

[Dixon Butz]

UUID comes from hardware. Thats why when you change parts, it requires reactivation. It is not flashed into the bios.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Yeah don't tell anyone but it does work, shusssssssss be very quite now!

 

[Tews]

Mums the word!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Every install of Windows gets a unique "Producr ID" number (not the same as activation key) at install correct, this one from one of my VirtualBox installs, every one different.

click to enlarge; I've removed some of it

​

 

[Dixon Butz]

Every install of Windows gets a unique "Producr ID" number (not the same as activation key) at install correct, this one from one of my VirtualBox installs, every one different.

The PID is from the hardware ID and the product key. Should be the same with the same hardware and key.

 

[gregrocker]

The hardware is not identical - the HD's are different and thus will not match the hardware profile of the activated Win7 in MS activation servers.

As suggested, booting via BIOS is a cleaner method than configuring a Win7 Dual Boot since the HD's can come and go as you please, whereas Windows Dual boot interlocks them and makes them harder to remove.

Unplug the Win7 HD when you install the second Win7, setting it as first HD to boot in BIOS setup after DVD drive. Then after install when you plug back in the original Win7, boot it instead by tapping F8 on Asus for one-time BIOS Boot menu key.