Dual Boot Win7 32bit and Win7 64bit on a second SSD drive

[drathbun]

Hi folks.

I have searched through the various threads that deal with this topic but have not seen anything that deals with this specifically.

I have a custom built computer I put together last year. I installed Win7 32bit at the time because I didn't want to bite the bullet and reinstall everything. That time has now arrived.

My computer has:

i7 Core 960 2.67GHz
8GB Ram
1TB HDD (Win7 32bit installed)
600GB HDD

I purchased an OEM DVD of Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and an Intel 180GB SSD drive.

I want to install the SSD drive on the computer and install Win7 64bit OS as a DUAL BOOT. This way I will be able to choose to migrate my applications at my own pace. As I install a 64bit version of my Photoshop CS6 for example, I will delete it in the 32bit OS once I have all my settings, brushes etc. moved over.

Should I ?

1. Install the SSD and get it recognized by the BIOS and the 32bit OS.
2. Boot from the DVD of the 64bit OS and choose the SSD as the location of the installation.
3. Reboot the computer after installation complete

and at that point I should get the dual boot screen?

The above is how I understand the process based on some tutorials I've seen for dual booting XP and Vista. Does this work for Win7 32 and Win7 64?

 

[whs]

Easy - install the SSD and disconnect all the HDDs. Then install Win7 on the SSD and make the SSD second in the boot sequence (first should be the CD/DVD reader). Then reconnect the HDDs.

When you want to boot from your 32bit system, temporarily change the boot sequence (usually via F12 at power-on).

 

[drathbun]

Easy - install the SSD and disconnect all the HDDs. Then install Win7 on the SSD and make the SSD second in the boot sequence (first should be the CD/DVD reader). Then reconnect the HDDs.

When you want to boot from your 32bit system, temporarily change the boot sequence (usually via F12 at power-on).

Thanks for such a quick response.

I want to keep the SSD as the sole location for OS only files. When I install programs in the 64bit OS, I can install the programs to the HDD that has the 32bit OS on it with no problems?

 

[whs]

I can install the programs to the HDD that has the 32bit OS on it with no problems?

Sure, just make a separate folder (or partition) for the program files on that HDD and direct the program installer to that folder/partition. Just be aware that some program installers may refuse to accept anything other than the standard program folders on the C partition.

But I would leave the programs as much as possible on the SSD and move them only in very exceptional cases to a HDD. With the programs on the HDD, you lose all the performance advantages of the SSD.

If you want to move stuff, then move your user folders

 

[gregrocker]

Why would you need to buy a new copy of Win7. Just use the license you already own, which can be used to reinstall as often as you want in either 32- or 64- bit.

As Wolfgang says install 64 bit to the SSD with the HD unplugged, then afterwards boot the HD when needed using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key. If that's not convenient you can install EasyBCD to the SSD to add the HD to a Dual Boot menu which can be deleted later also using EasyBCD. EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required)

I understand your desire to phase your programs over and this is the recommended method to monitor performance during a Clean Reinstall however if you're not able to do this within the 30 days you'll be allowed to activate the new Win7 install when you Skip the step to insert the key during install to SSD, you can Extend Activation Trial Period Up to 120 Days - Windows 7 Forums

 

[drathbun]

Hmmm I must have been given some bad advice. I was told if I wanted to run both 32 and 64 bit versions of the Win7 OS for longer than 30 days I would have to purchase a separate license. Too late now though. I've already purchased the 32bit.

My concern for putting programs on the SSD drive is that it is only a 180GB and will fill quickly, where I have 1TB on the HDD. I understand Win7 64, when accessing larger amounts of installed RAM will need larger swap files for the OS footprint on the drive??

 

[gregrocker]

I've never seen anyone use up 180gb for OS, Programs and User folders. If it fills up move the active User folders to HDD. User Folders - Change Default Location

The paging file should be kept at System Managed but if space became too tight trimmed to 2gb.

What I wouldn't use any SSD space for is storage.

I would not throw away the price of the old OS due to misinformation you were given. Use your existing license key when ready to activate and sell or use the new one elsewhere.

 

[drathbun]

I finally located my Win7 DVD. The DVD says "Windows 7 Professional 32 bit" on it. This actually has the 64bit on it too??

 

[gregrocker]

Not if it says 32 bit. You'll need to download the lastest official installer ISO with SP1 and Media Refresh in 64 bit from Step 1, burn to DVD or write to flash stick with tool in Step 2 to reinstall with that Product Key: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - the steps are the same for retail.

 

[drathbun]

Thanks for the link. So to clarify, if I d/l the ISO and create a DVD and install the 64bit version of Win7 on my SSD drive to do a dual boot 32/64, within at least 120 days I will have to activate the 64 which will make the 32bit install non-functional?

If this is the case, I would rather use the new purchased OEM DVD Win7 64. Then I can be sure to use both for as long as I wish. Have I got this right?

 

[drathbun]

Thanks for the link. So to clarify, if I d/l the ISO and create a DVD and install the 64bit version of Win7 on my SSD drive to do a dual boot 32/64, within at least 120 days I will have to activate the 64 which will make the 32bit install non-functional?

If this is the case, I would rather use the new purchased OEM DVD Win7 64. Then I can be sure to use both for as long as I wish. Have I got this right?

Well I tried D/L'ing the 64bit ISO, burning it to a DVD and installing it using my existing license. It wouldn't accept the code. So I installed the OEM 64 bit version I had purchased. Of course, now it doesn't even recognize my motherboard (or my GTX 660ti graphics card, or my MAudio Delta audio card, or my DLink Wireless card etc etc) and has taken two hours to d/l 108 updates from Windows. I knew I put this off because of the pain. Good thing I have a few days off.. I'll need it.

 

[drathbun]

Well the good news is I have the dual boot working now using the EasyBCD program (thanks so much!).

I have installed the 64bit Win7 OS on the SSD drive and installed my most used programs on that drive (photoshop, lightroom etc.). I will install my other programs (Office etc) on the 1TB drive.

I ran into some trouble with the Windows updates. It seemed the computer went into a loop; it would spend an hour doing 108 updates, reboot and the updates would get to about five and then fail, reboot, update, fail, reboot etc. So I finally turned off the auto updates and after about four reboot cycles I got it to stop. I assume it is choking a driver here or there. Any way to figure out which one?

 

[gregrocker]

If the Product Key for the same version was rejected during reinstall what was the reason given? It is almost always because of a wrong character being inputted - an 8 looks like a B.

It will during activation ask if more than one copy is installed to which you can only answer 1. This will deactivate the other install for this Product Key.

Install the Updates in smaller groups to isolate any specific Update that is failing. Sometimes Updates are failing and re-running while I am setting up an install but are almost always sorted by the time I'm finished. If not it may take some Troubleshooting starting with System Update Readiness Tool.

It's a hassle and shows how badly we need SP2 which is being withheld while MS pretends Win7 is being phased out for Win8 - even as the business world migrates 100% into Win7 from XPired. Until they snap out of it you can create your own current installer using Update 7 installation media - Windows 7 Help Forums.