Solved dual boot

[gregrocker]

Whatever you decide keep a current image of Win7 so you have a path back. You can always move your Win8 Upgrade to another PC to restore Win7.

You can also run an in-place Upgrade of Win7 keeping all files and programs in place while changing out the OS.

But even in a Clean Install you can always reinstall your paid software using the Product Key and installer. If you've lost these you can audit all of the installed software and hardware including Keys using Belarc Advisor.

 

[Night Hawk]

I did find that I could go to Dell after upgrading and install the one I lost then update the drivers, at least that is advice from Shane at Tweaking.

However, it has been a learning experience just trying to decide what to do.
Contrary to my compulsive nature, I am glad I did not pull the trigger and will stick with seven.
I can't complain as it does everything I need but I sure would have likes to have played with 8.
I think I shouldd not install new over old but, when necessary, buy new and take what comes with it.
Thank you again and c u soon, as the kids say.

If you are working with a one drive only system or have a second drive designated for storage and backup purposes the best move would be maintaining a full system image backup either with the built in option found in the CP>Backup & Restore section or using a 3rd party program like the free version of Acronis Disk Director suit Western Digital provides. Seagate's Disk Wizard is the same but rebranded.

With the present build here I planned it to have two not just one OS drive with the second mainly for testing and trying out other OSs as well as what comes next in the Windows world! Two other drives plus one in an external enclosure serve as storage drives. The second OS drive is presently split up for OS and the remainder for system images.

Here 7 is actually doing more here then could be done with the retail 8. I still have to decide on whether or not 8 or the next to come will have a place on the second OS drive however while 8 was a disappointment after going with 7!

At the same time some others seem to like 8 over 7 while some prefer Vista over 7 as is usually the case. I just heard from someone who was seeing shutdown problems where the power button had to be used after just buying the retail 8 Pro. To me the new version still sounds a bit buggy for the time being.

 

[seven2]

Whatever you decide keep a current image of Win7 so you have a path back. You can always move your Win8 Upgrade to another PC to restore Win7.

You can also run an in-place Upgrade of Win7 keeping all files and programs in place while changing out the OS.

But even in a Clean Install you can always reinstall your paid software using the Product Key and installer. If you've lost these you can audit all of the installed software and hardware including Keys using Belarc Advisor.

>>Can I use the Acronis rescue disc to get back to Win 7 if I don't want 8 or if I have trouble?
Regarding Belarc, are you saying it is proof to MS that I paid for Win 8 and used the installer? Should I "take a picture" with it at some point?
It seems as tthough I can recover 7 or 8 depending on the one I like -yes?
This is sticky stuff for an average user?
Thank you

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you'd boot the Acronis disk to reimage Win7 to the HD if you decide you don't want to keep WIn8 upgrade. THis should free up Win8 Upgrade to be used elsewhere.

You'd run Belarc so you have on hand any Product Keys which are missing if you need to do a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which steps are same for retail.

MS wouldn't be interested in any of that, only that you have an activated Win7 being upgraded with a legit Win8 Product Key.

You own a license for Win7 to use for the life of the OS (or the life of the machine if it came preinstalled) or until it is used to Upgrade to WIn8. After that you've lost the right to use the WIn7 key unless you decide you want to use the Win8 upgrade elsewhere in which case you can reimage or reinstall WIn7 with its Product Key.

 

[seven2]

naivite

I'm sorry, if I try to upgrade to Win 8 and it is not good, use the Acronis rescue disc to regain Win 7 system as it is now, is there an issue I am not grasping.
I ask because you mentioned losing my 7 license.
It came preinstalled in my pc but I don't know the license number.

 

[Brink]

Peter,

Your product key number should be on the COA sticker like bellow on your PC.

​

You don't lose your Windows 7 license (product key). Instead you are just not allowed by the EULA to use it when you have the Windows 8 upgrade installed. If you uninstall Windows 8, then you can reinstall your Windows 7 if you like.

Your Acronis image backup would work to restore Windows 7, but if you haven't already, then you should create a set of factory recovery discs from your Windows 7 first to also be able to restore Windows 7 back to factory conditions. If this is a Dell, then the link below can help show you how to.

Creating Your System Recovery Discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 | Dell

and

Windows 7 PC Restore | Dell
​

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[AddRAM]

Seven2, what do you mean by " Not Good " ?

Have you used or seen W8 yet ? A lot of people do not like it.

 

[seven2]

Windows

Great news and thank you. I understand about the use of one os at a time. My Acroonis has been a life saver and is up to date. I did make the dvds when I received the Dell 2 years ago.
Thak you again for the support.
May I ask, for those who obtain Win 8, do they also make dvds like Win 7?
I know you already have an os disc if you download the iso but I meant otherwise as in retail.
Peter

 

[Night Hawk]

With Windows 8 you now only see the upgrade media or OEM for System Builders disk. MS isn't seeing any full version two dvd sets sold out in retail stores. So far there have been only two versions found as well as being the Home or whatever unnamed 8 and Pro no Pro PLUS! deals found anywhere except for online sources.

One blog from April sums up how MS decided to limit the number of editions 8 would be seeing. Microsoft outs Windows 8 editions; Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, plus Windows RT for ARM - Connected Digital World

 

[Brink]

Great news and thank you. I understand about the use of one os at a time. My Acroonis has been a life saver and is up to date. I did make the dvds when I received the Dell 2 years ago.
Thak you again for the support.
May I ask, for those who obtain Win 8, do they also make dvds like Win 7?
I know you already have an os disc if you download the iso but I meant otherwise as in retail.
Peter

Glad we could help Peter.

I usually keep it as an ISO file, then create a bootable USB flash drive as needed to do a clean install with. I do this because I also use the ISO file to install on virtual machines.

 

[Night Hawk]

The same here only for various OSs as well as Vista, 7, and had been for the 8 CP and RP builds. The flash drive install to drive method always to seem go on a bit faster and smoother over installation by disk!

It took a full hour by burned dvds for each of the 8 builds to go! With a 7 USB Installation Key it only took 12min. for the setup files to be fully copied over and 20min. approximate to reach the desktop on each install since 7 was in beta and RC form. You can use the same method to create an 8 install key as well.

Direct installs by iso image alone are seen on the Oracle VirtualBox and VM Player where you set the iso as the optical drive's replacement in the VM settings. Even when buying 8 on disk you can create an iso image to make up a usb install key. Just follow the guide for that seen at Create Bootable USB or DVD with Windows 8 ISO

I should add one more item here being how to see 8 set up on a usb flash drive as another option available. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html

 

[seven2]

8 hours

That is a long time - you are vey patient.
Thank you for your help.