How to create a second primary partition to dual OS on a computer.

[BrentR678]

Hello,

I am trying to install Windows 8 on my computer dual booting with the Windows 7 that is already installed. My troubles are when trying to format the existing hard drive with Win 7 installed to make room for the new OS. I shrank the existing partition and now have 20GB of unallocated space. I then put in the Win 8 disk and tried to put it on that unallocated space. It gave me a message saying it cant install it on this partition and that the dynamic volume was not supported. I then tried taking that unallocated space and made it a simple volume with the same results. I remember reading somewhere i need to make a second system partition but dont remember how to do that. I guess what im looking for is help on how to create a dual booting computer with Windows 7 and Windows 8. I really appreciate all responses and thank you very much in advance!

 

[seavixen32]

You cannot install an operating system on unallocated space, you have to create a primary partition first.

You also need to be using a basic volume and not a dynamic one and 20GB is the bare minimum for installing Windows 7, let alone Windows 8.

Although this tutorial shows how to dual-boot Windows 7 and Vista, the same principles will apply to a dual-boot with Windows 7 and Windows 8.

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

Please post your disk management layout so that we can advise you further.

 

[theog]

Take look at this tutorial:
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[BrentR678]

Hey guys thanks for the quick reply! Right now it sounds like my biggest problem is that my hard drive is dynamic and I need to get it back to basic. If i remember right i need to completely reformat my computer to do so. Is that right? Or is there a way to still do it with a dynamic disk? Attached is an image of my disk management. Thanks again.

 

[seavixen32]

Take look at this tutorial:
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 7 and Windows 8

Theog's quick on the draw!

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26829-convert-dynamic-disk-basic-disk.html

 

[gregrocker]

Dynamic partitions are for spanning partitions across multiple HD's. You apparently ignored a warning it was about to convert when trying to create a fourth partiiton.

You'll need to burn to CD the previous, free version of Partiiton Wizard bootable CD to boot it, then Convert Dynamic to Basic Disk: pw422.zip ISO - Windows Live

You can also use PW CD to resize the partitions in any direction since I would get rid of the tiny second partition, resize C into its space, then make Win7 partition the size you truly want. Partition Wizard Use the Bootable CD

If you want more than four partitions in the future, you'll have to convert one which is not System partition to Logical using PW CD, which will then allow you to add as many Logical subpartitions as you want.

 

[toetag]

i use Paragon hard disk Manager for all my partions issues, it even has a wizard to make duel OS simple.

 

[karlsnooks]

And I use DiskPart to convert dynamic to basic.

 

[gregrocker]

Diskpart conversion is a destructive method, which is why the PW free older version was offered.

 

[BrentR678]

Before i have to convert to basic on my primary hard drive, i have a external hard drive thats still basic. Am i able to somehow install the OS on that? When i plugged it in, created a second primary partition on the drive and attempted to install Windows 8, its said installing to a usb hard drive isnt supported. Think thats just a limitation of the developers preview or am i doing something wrong.

 

[whs]

You can only install to an external disk with an eSata connection.

 

[BrentR678]

Okay ill probably buy an esata drive and run windows 8 off of that rather then off my main hard drive. Im not sure if its worth all the hassle of converting my disk back to basic. For that same point i could just as easily run off a virtual computer instead. Thank you all very much for your fast and helpful responses!

 

[gregrocker]

You want your disk to be Basic unless spanning partitions across multiple HD´s. It is as simple as booting PW CD provided and clicking to convert.