Dual boot with cloned copy - boot problem

[user54]

Hi all,

I have windows 7 x64 installed, and need to copy that partition to another partition on the same drive, and be able to boot between the two using EasyBCD. One will be normal/office stuff, the other will be music production stuff.

I copied the partition (C) using Acronis (bootCD mode) no problem, then copied that Acronis clone to the new partition (D). Booted back in to windows and used EasyBCD to add the new partition (D) to the boot menu with a new name.

Now when I boot I get the boot choices as expected, but no matter which one I choose, it always boots into the original partition (C)? I've used EasyBCD quite a bit before without problems but this one is driving me nuts.

Any suggestions? Obviously various boot related files are getting copied to the second drive along with all the other files - is this whats causing the problem?

Cheers!

Gary.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello user54, welcome to Seven Forums!



Before we make any specific recommendations will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map with a full description as to which drive/partition is which, so we can see what you have going on as there may be a fairly simple way to resolve the situation.


In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums

 

[user54]

Hi there,

It appears this is to do with the volume id on the different partitions. Volume ID is how EasyBCD identifys the partitions. When I clone one partition onto another partition, its also copying the volume ids, and the two partitions have identical volume IDs. I haven't entirely sorted this yet but here is the thread on EasyBCD forum:

Cloning W7 to other partitions, then booting... - The NeoSmart Forums

 

[gregrocker]

See if you can choose to not copy the Volume ID when cloning, or use an imaging app.

You can also use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to copy the source partition to deleted unallocated space while changing drive letter.

Then add the second OS using EasyBCD 2.0.

This has worked for me several times when imaging was too assertive with settings. All you need is an inert copy to add with EasyBCD.

http://www.partitionwizard.com/download.html

 

[Brooklyn67]

Hi, Im currently trying the same dual boot scenario, once you copy the partition, instal;l EasyBCD. Goto [BCD Backup/Repair] and click (reset BCD config) then (perform action). This will reset where bcd finds the partitions. Youre not done yet, now you have to re-create the boot loader.. easy... select [Add New Entry] and select your appropriate config.. windows version, what drive its on.. now click (Add Entry). click only once, it wont show you that it added it, but it does.. you wont see them until you goto [Edit Boot Menu] when youre done. Now select the other location of your second windows and drive letter, then (Add Entry) again.. When youre done goto [Edit Boot Menu] to verify that you have both windows in the menu, you can rename them to Windows Home and Windows Work, or whatever at this point now SAVE SETTINGS!! If you dont save system will NOT boot.. Happy hunting...

Brooklyn!!