Dual Boot of Windows7 x64 and x32

[Masappo]

I am using Windows7 Ultimate x64 on a Notebook computer and so far OK. However, a network program came from government can run only on x32 of Windows. So that I am planning to have dual boot system now.

I am wondering what will happen on my account and local mail-box.

I have Win7 x64 on C drive and D drive is prepared for Win7 x32.
Q1: C drive has /users directory and my account info is there. What will happen on this directory if I install Win7 x32 with same user name and same password?

Q2: I am using Thunderbird with IMAP server. Can I use same mail-box both from Win x64 and Win 7 x32 time to time? I have moved most of mail to Localfolder.

 

[gregrocker]

Boot the 32 bit installer to install to the second partition you've prepared.

The installer will configure the Dual Boot Menu. If not, add the other OS using EasyBCD 2.02. EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

Whichever Win7 you boot into will see itself as C, as Win7 has made improvements in Dual Booting so that unless you install it from another OS it will always be C when you boot into it.

 

[Masappo]

Thank you for your information. This means that both disk has \Users directory each.
Regarding second question, it can be said that is there any convienient way to access identical disk space from both OS in same way?

 

[gregrocker]

Use Explorer, which is much easier in Win7 since you can access and drag from/to any location quickly using Explorer bar on the left margin.

 

[seavixen32]

Not sure if I'm understanding exactly what you want, but I dual boot with Win 7 Ultimate and Win 7 Home Premium.

I've created a third partition for my personal data so that I can access it easily with Windows Explorer from whichever system I've booted into.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
If you only need the 32 bit system for one or two programs why not set this up as a 1GB VIRTUAL machine -- so long as your notebook computer has 2 GB memory in it you can easily run a 1 GB W7 virtual machine.

Disks can be shared even without a network (use Host only Networking) and you will only need ONE email system --although IMAP only copies stuff to your LOCAL disks when you want it to.

Even on a small ACER aspire one netbook I can easily run a Virtual machine -- you must really have a minimum 2 GB RAM on the notebook however.

Depending on what you are running on the 32 bit machine you might be able to give it as little as 512 MB or 768 MB RAM. - That's the beauty of VM's you can test all this stuff out without having to install software or hardware.

These days forget dual booting unless you have some really special hardware that won't work any other way. This is rare however since USB devices can load their own drivers on the virtual machine.

The other advantage is that once you are done with the VM you can just shut it down without re-starting your computer.

vmware player and vbox are both FREE programs that will allow you to create and log on to Virtual Machines.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Masappo]

Now I started running Windows7 Ultimate 64bit and 32bit on C/D drive and D/C drive.
Most of CAD program can allocate the data base any place, those are no problem. In case of Office product, whose default file places are under Users directory like MyDocuments, MyTemplates etc. If I leave these files such way, I cannot keep continuous access when I switches Windows.
However, I can change these default place to another like E:/MyDocuments/....
I am now struging with mailer. In case of Windows mail whose mail database is encripted into Users directory, there is no hope to pick them out.
I am now working on Thunderbird. My goal is to have one single Profiles/files and access both from 64bit and 32bit Windows.

 

[seavixen32]

An easy way of getting both systems to point to the same location for your Office apps is to create a folder on your data partition and give it a meaningful name.

Open each Office app in turn and choose File/Options/Save then point the default save location to the folder you created.

 

[Masappo]

Yes, office apps is OK.
However, mailer is very tough to do so.
Especially, I am looking forward any solution for Thunderbird.
=====================================================================
Eventually, I found a solution for Thunderbird. It was very cool.

Step 1:
Under Win7-64bit(old), copy the Profiles directory and all staff under to new common space.

Step 2:
Log into Win7-32bit(new). Install Thunderbird. run program by name => thunderbird -p <<=
Then you will get prompt to select/add profile. Point the copied profile directory and give appropriate name and go.

Step 3:
Run Thunderbird usual way and you will get the last view.

Step 4:
Log into Win7-64bit(old) and do same with thunderbird -p and set the same profile directory.

Best Regards,
Masappo