How to install windows 7 x64 with dual boot?

[whirlwind8]

Hello,

I have Windows xp x86 and Windows 7 x86 in dual boot. I have a 1 tb HDD which is partitioned into 6. XP is on C: while 7 is on M. Now i want to install windows 7 x 64 in place of XP. Can i just overwrite onto C:? If not what should be done? the x64 windows 7 is on a bootable usb.

Thank You

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 should always be on C when you boot it, unless is was incorrectly installed from an OS and not from a booted installer. So be sure to boot the flash stick to delete C, create and format a new partition there using the drive tools shown in Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7.

It should configure a Dual Boot with the other Win7 during install. If not install EasyBCD to add the other.

If you'd like to post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
then we can advise you better and look it over for other potential problems or suggestions. Tell us what is on each partition.

 

[whirlwind8]

Thanks for your reply Greg. Attached is my screenshot.. All help would be really appreciated. So can i just format C: and install using the bootable usb?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes delete the C partition during booted install to recreate/format as described earlier.

If you plan to get rid of the erroneously installed Win7 later then I would preformat C and mark it Active using Partition Wizard CD so it keeps its own boot files and doesn't place them on M. Otherwise we can help you move them later.

 

[whirlwind8]

Greg, from your post i understand the following. is it correct?
1. Boot into windows 7 x86
2. Using partition wizard format C: and mark it active & primary
3. Log off windows 7 x86
4. Use bootable USB to install windows 7 x64 on C:
5. If dual boot does not appear install easy BCD.

 

[gregrocker]

You missed deleting C first before creating new NTFS primary partition to Modify>Set to Active.

 

[whirlwind8]

Do you mean deleting C: as specified in Step 8 of Clean install of windows?

 

[whirlwind8]

Hello Greg,

I installed x64. It went off smoothly. But i dont have the dual boot at the start. The computer directly boots into x64. What should i do?

Thank You

 

[gregrocker]

Ok that is to be expected since by marking the partition Active you restricted the boot files to the new install partition which didn't allow it to place them on the extant OS for a Dual Boot.

This is why the next step given is to install EasyBCD to add the old OS by drive letter and custom name to create your Boot Menu.

 

[AddRAM]

EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to manage partition directly with partition manager bootable CD.

And you should give each of your partitions a proper name