Dual booting question: I have 2 hard drives.

[LordArcus]

The original one had Windows Vista on it along with my apps, programs, etc.

I clean installed Windows 7 on a second drive that had nothing on it.

They don't seem to recognize each other and I can only change which one boots through F8 and the BIOS settings.

How do I get them to recognize each other at boot up?

Thanks!

 

[DocBrown]

Check out this Tutorial

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5166-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-vista.html

 

[LordArcus]

Yeah, I did everything in that tutorial and actually posted there but my post got moved.

The computer still doesn't let me choose when it boots up.

 

[DocBrown]

This other tutorial may help in understanding how to use BCEDIT for dual boots

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2676-bcdedit-how-use.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello LordArcus, welcome to Seven Forums!



If you want a Windows managed dual boot instead of the BIOS managed, you can do the startup repairs to the partition that is marked as "Active" whether it be Vista or 7 and that will configure the Windows managed dual boot; have a look at this tutorial at the link below for an outline of the process.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times



If there is more than 1 partition marked active that will cause issues and it would be helpful if you would post a snip of disk management for us to look at for further instructions and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

   Note

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

​

 

[gregrocker]

You currently have the cleanest method of Dual Booting: via the BIOS using Boot Order to boot first the preferred HD, then using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key (F8) to access the other HD. This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please.

If you want to create a Windows-managed Dual Boot then install EasyBCD 2.0 to Win7 and add Vista on the Add OS tab.

 

[LordArcus]

I love programs and applications that do work for me. So, EasyBCD was PERFECT.

Thanks guys, you all work so quickly, efficiently, and seem to know the answer. I'll definitely be coming back if I have any more issues.

Much love,
Arcus

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good to see you found a solution and thanks for the update.