Dual boot Windows 7 with Windows 7

[toddmike]

I have two installations of Windows 7 (same install disk and same key) on two separate hard drives, and would like two have the option to boot to either one. I can boot to either drive just fine when either one is the only drive connected to the motherboard. But when both are connected it just boots straight to one of them without giving me the option to choose.

When I view the Operating Systems listed under (Right click My Computer -> Properties -> Advanced System Settings -> Advanced Tab -> Startup and Recovery -> Settings -> System Startup) only one install of Windows 7 is listed.

This type of install may seem odd. The reason I want to do this is so that I can have my own hard drive and my son can have his own. I'd rather not have all of his "junk" on my drive.

I have this exact setup with Windows XP on another computer and it works perfectly. It lists two operating systems in the System Startup menu.

Does anyone know how to make it work with Windows 7?

 

[gregrocker]

You can create a Windows-managed dual boot like the one you have for XP, however a less complicated way to configure this is to boot from the BIOS. You would set the preferred HD as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then if you want to boot the other HD, use the key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu.

This way the two HD's remain independent and can come and go as you please. With a Windows-managed Dual Boot menu, the HD's become interdependent and harder to extricate.

However, if a Windows Dual Boot is what you want, download and install Easy BCD 2.0 beta then use the Add/Remove tab to add the Win7 which is not listed on its front panel listings, by name, type and drive letter. Highlight new listing above and Save. Rename other 7 In Change Settings if desired.

 

[Night Hawk]

Hello toddmike Welcome to the Se7en Forums!

One thing to know ahead of time is the need to sign up over at neosmart before you can download any beta version. The finished public release is still in wait for the present time.

When mentioning two separate installations of 7 on two separate are they both the 32bit or 64bit or is one 32bit while the other is the 64bit version? This will make a difference since a clean install of the same on a first drive while an existing installation resides on a second hard drive will not automatically add the previous installation in. The 32bit will add the 64bit in however with ease.

The same problem was seen here when adding in a new lately with the 64bit already on the first host boot drive. When installing the 32bit to a 3rd sata by chance that also ignored the earliest 64bit but immediately added in the latest 64bit into it's own BCD store as an option.

What posed an interesting problem later proved to be one solution when going to install a Linux distro on a usb flash drive and unintended install of Grub on the new drive's mbr there. When using the startup repair tool on the 64bit's dvd it recovered the first 64bit installation instead! The repair tool was then used on the 32bit dvd to see both 64bit installs along the 32bit making them a triple boot.

Drawbacks? Apparently when tow of the same are seen as options problems with starting Windows up after a restart tend to come up! This is between two 64bit installations. Between the 32bit and 64bit retail dual booting the problems of hanging at the logo don't seem to appear.

This has nothing to do with EasyBCD however. That's one free program found to be well written from the start.

 

[toddmike]

Thank you both for the help.

Night Hawk, it is two 64bit installs. Its good to know that I'm not the only one who has seen this problem.

Gregrocker, I like the idea of contolling the boot sequence using the bios. But, I'd rather not have my son making these changes when I'm not around. I'll try the Easy BCD tool and see what happens.

 

[frkatonac]

Hi guys,

I also need two independent Windows 7 installation, but even with boot managers like "OSL2000" or "Boot-us" seems to me that Windows 7 recognize only 1st installation on 1st HDD. Is there any help with this, I need it badly because if one OS sees other OS there might be a problems with both instances and craches.

Thanks

 

[Night Hawk]

Thank you both for the help.

Night Hawk, it is two 64bit installs. Its good to know that I'm not the only one who has seen this problem.

Gregrocker, I like the idea of contolling the boot sequence using the bios. But, I'd rather not have my son making these changes when I'm not around. I'll try the Easy BCD tool and see what happens.

The EasyBCD tool will work best without the need to press the F key to bring up the bios boot device menu constantly. Once I removed the original by chance entry seen when recovering the install on the now second drive with the 64bit dvd the new entry with the EasyBCD tool worked as it always has.

The 2.0 beta won't lose the new 7 boot splash screen like the present 1.7.2 showing it is near completion. I've been using first the 1.5.2 and later 1.7.2 version on occasion for over 2yrs. now.

Hi guys,

I also need two independent Windows 7 installation, but even with boot managers like "OSL2000" or "Boot-us" seems to me that Windows 7 recognize only 1st installation on 1st HDD. Is there any help with this, I need it badly because if one OS sees other OS there might be a problems with both instances and craches.

Thanks

Welcomee to the Se7en Forums! frkatonac

With any version of Windows the installer will always look for and place the boot files and mbr entries on the first drive. If you have an ide along with a sata the boot files/mbr entries go right to the ide first!

To set up a second Windows installation as a stand alone install followed by adding it into the first drives own boot options you first unplug the first drive. The fresh install will then see the second HD as the first drive and proceed to install everything there.

Once that installation is complete you replug the first drive back in and go for EasyBCD! That will not only see the second HD's installation added in on the first's bootloader but you can set the default OS as the second and even rename the entry for either at any time as well as adjust the displayed onsbreen time.

You can also move the second installation's entry above or below the first's on the boot options screen as well. It's far more versatile then other 3rd party boot apps.

 

[toddmike]

The Easy BCD did the trick. The dual boot his working flawlessly. Thanks.

 

[Night Hawk]

A lot of work went into that program over the last 3yrs. and it's free!

 

[frkatonac]

EasyBCD works, I try it!
But now I have one more thing to do: how to hide one Windows 7 system (partitions) from another?
For me this is esential!

 

[gregrocker]

In WIndows 7, click Start>right click Computer>Properties>Advanced drive tools>Startup & Recovery>Settings>select default OS from drop down menu, set Menu timeout or untick box to hide.

 

[frkatonac]

I mean really hide, when first windows 7 partition/installation can't share, use and even see second windows 7 partition/installation.
I hope now is clear what I want to do?

 

[SIW2]

You are in luck - because PM10 Personal is free today.



You need to download the correct bit version - run setup TODAY. The installer will be extracted - by default to C , but you can select any location.

Download Partition Manager 10.0 Personal (English) 32 bit now

Download Partition Manager 10.0 Personal (English) 64 bit now


Get the free product key Partition Manager 10 Personal TODAY.

Then you can install/ reinstall the program when you like.

 

[Night Hawk]

As far simply having an installation of your own the logon with password will also help. The problem with having PM installed on the same drive your son uses is that he would be able to unhide the other installation as well if he knows the program is on or simply comes acrossed it.

 

[frkatonac]

Even PM10 don't hide primary partitions

 

[SIW2]

It does for me.

I just hid the system partition ( C ) from the partition I am currently booted into (D).

I have no idea why you can't make it work.

PM 10 can still see it of course - otherwise there would be no way to ever unhide it.

If you don't want anyone else to be able to unhide it - then uninstall PM10.

You can reinstall PM 10 , or use the boot cd to unhide it later.

 

[Night Hawk]

This is the main gui seen when first opening the giveaway version of 10 up. The second is the full screen option.The 3rd is going upto the view tab and checking off the command task bar option there.

At the bottom of the screen you right click on the intended partition/drive there to bring up the options menu.

 

[frkatonac]

In PM10 there is a option to hide another primary partitions on boot time sequence.
But it does'n hide it. So if I have to hide it manualy than PM10 must be installed on every primary partiotion - on every OS. Am i wrong?

 

[SIW2]

No idea , I never tried it.

 

[Night Hawk]

The only thing I saw when downloading the giveaway was unzipping the setup on C which then includes another software updater program unnecessary to look and see which programs you have on see newer versions.

Finally once that is unpacked into a separate folder and you get past the software updater prompts you are asked where you want 10 unpacked to then start the separate setup for PM 10!

The installation proceeds normally from there into the Program Files directory like any other software creating it's own folder as well as desktop shortcut. You run it from the Windows you are booted in that it is installed to.

That's all there is to that. The only time you want it on more then one drive is if you want to hide the host from a second installation when setting that as default. Once you click the hide partition item in the right click menu you will be prompted to confirm. You expect to see that type of prompt with any program.

 

[frkatonac]

Like I say, seem to me that PM10 must be inistaled on every OS!? But what is with "Boot management" option, I need that but don't work like it have to :-(