Setting up dual boot/dual drive Win 7 + Win 10/11 (or Linux)

[teckneeculler]

WinOwl, hi again. I'm forgetting that most PC users don't have their machines with the case sides removed and lying on the floor beside their desks, where they can get at the innards with a minimum of fuss. You don't need to take photos. Just download the free version of a small app called 'Speccy' from here: Download Speccy | Find your computer specs, free! then install and run it on each machine. It's perfectly safe and won't cause any problems. It will do a full analysis of all of your hardware, including the name and brand of your motherboard. Then ask Speccy for a report, select the text versions and post them here, so we can see exactly what hardware options you have. Note also, it may not be impossible to replace the innards of your old W7 tower with newer components.

Afterthought edit: Click on my last post at bottom left where it says 'My Computer'. I got this information from Speccy just a coupla days ago.

 

[SIW2]

teckneeculler

I had an H310M-A R2.0 at one point. They do the job. How are you running NVMe Samsung SSD 970 on the H310M-E ?

I am currently using a b365 mobo.

 

[dg1261]

The world became even smaller when I saw that your daughter Kim attended Willamette Univ., where I also am

Ah, yes, Willamette University! Gorgeous campus. My daughter absolutely loved her time there.

Kim graduated in May, 2002. Twenty years later, in July, 2022, she returned to Salem for a bittersweet finale to her professional triathlon career.

She had originally chosen Willamette because her high school boyfriend had chosen to go there. They broke up during their first year at Willamette, though, so ... yeah, not the best way to choose a college.

Twenty years later I asked her if, in hindsight, she still thinks Willamette turned out to have been the best place for her. Without hesitation, she said, "Absolutely!" She loved it and to this day would not have wanted to attend any other college.

I see you're in California.

Not for long, though. My wife and I are both retired, and are now in the process of moving back to my native state of Hawaii.

 

[teckneeculler]

@teckneeculler
I had an H310M-A R2.0 at one point. They do the job. How are you running NVMe Samsung SSD 970 on the H310M-E ? I am currently using a b365 mobo.

Hi. The H310M-E R2 has a socket for one SSD. I bought the board 2-3 years back specifically for the W7 install. Around the same time, I also purchased an Asus H310MHC2, but though the specs are similar it turned out to have only one PCIE 3.0x16 slot which could take an SSD on a card, but that wouldn't have left space for my GTX 970 video card. I must check out the specs of your B365 mobo.
Gawd, I wish someone would make a new board for W7 that'd take better ram and cpu. I'm sure there'd be a global market for...I dunno...10,000 units?

 

[SIW2]

h310 are ok, they run the cpu as well as any other non overclocking board. There aren't many pcie lanes with that chipset, which doesnt matter for many people. If there is an m.2 socket on h310 mobo it will be x2 and not x4 . Doesnt really matter in real life use.

b360 can come with one or two usb3 gen2 ports, but there are only 12 pcie 3.0 lanes from the chipset.

b365 has 20 pcie 3.0 lanes from the chipset so more connection options.

6 sata 3
6 usb 3 gen1
pciex16 3.0 ( from the cpu )
pciex4 3.0 ( easy to put a cheap adapter for an extra m.2 nvme x4)
pciex1 3.0
m2x4 3.0

Anybody that has a weird urge to overclock needs a z390 or a z370

************************************************************************

EDIT: I can't remember if the asus h310 wants acpitime driver for win7.

what does your device manager show?



I also installed vista on the b365 to see if it is possible. It is. But that is the one driver I couldn't find for vista.

 

[teckneeculler]

Doesn't look like I have ACPI Wake Time. Is that for 'Wake on LAN'?
So the Gigabyte B365M DS3H works OK for W7? Is that board still available?

 

[WinOwl]

WinOwl, hi again. I'm forgetting that most PC users don't have their machines with the case sides removed and lying on the floor beside their desks, where they can get at the innards with a minimum of fuss. You don't need to take photos. Just download the free version of a small app called 'Speccy' from here: Download Speccy | Find your computer specs, free! then install and run it on each machine. It's perfectly safe and won't cause any problems. It will do a full analysis of all of your hardware, including the name and brand of your motherboard. Then ask Speccy for a report, select the text versions and post them here, so we can see exactly what hardware options you have. Note also, it may not be impossible to replace the innards of your old W7 tower with newer components.

Afterthought edit: Click on my last post at bottom left where it says 'My Computer'. I got this information from Speccy just a coupla days ago.

Hi teckneeculler - Thanks for pointing me to Speccy. I think I have it on my old Win 7 PC. I should also put it on my newer Win 11 PC that I'm using to write this. On my list!

I'm still in the brain-numbing shopping process on Amazon searching through the dizzying hundreds of KVMs for one that might likely work. When I receive it and try it, I'll post again.

In the meantime, continued outpouring of thanks for your good help!

- - - Updated - - -

Ah, yes, Willamette University! Gorgeous campus. My daughter absolutely loved her time there.

... [condensed]

Twenty years later I asked her if, in hindsight, she still thinks Willamette turned out to have been the best place for her. Without hesitation, she said, "Absolutely!" She loved it and to this day would not have wanted to attend any other college.



Not for long, though. My wife and I are both retired, and are now in the process of moving back to my native state of Hawaii.

Hi DG - It's a pleasure to hear that Kim has fond memories of the W.U. (in spite of that rough first year!).

So you're moving back to Hawaii -- sounds absolutely wonderful, especially to this rain-drenched Oregon resident! I hope you have a good move (though I know they are always exhausting).

Again, I want to thank you for your thoughtful help and the admirable clarity of your explanations and your videos, which I will continue to profit from!

 

[teckneeculler]

WinOwl, Hi. Just run Speccy on both machines and post the text reports here. If I know which motherboards you're running (ie, the brand and model number) I'll be able to tell you which Amazon switch is best.

 

[WinOwl]

WinOwl, Hi. Just run Speccy on both machines and post the text reports here. If I know which motherboards you're running (ie, the brand and model number) I'll be able to tell you which Amazon switch is best.

Hi techneeculler, That is mighty nice of you!! First of all, I'm feeling guity taking up so much of your time, thought, and good will!! But secondly, before reading your offer , I'd already ordered this KVM switch: Amazon.com: HDMI KVM Switch 8K, KVM Switch 8K@60Hz 4K@120Hz for 2 Computer Share 1 HD Monitor and 3 USB 3.0 Devices, Including 2 HMDI 2.1 Cables & 2 USB 3.0 Cables : Electronics. I did loads of shopping and comparing, and this one -- I hope -- will work!

I did follow your suggestion and installed Speccy on my Win 11 PC. Attached is a screenshot I just made of Speccy's motherboad info.

If you think the KVM switch I ordered is an obvious blunder, I can try to cancel it! LOL

Other relevant info: My monitor has only DVI, DP, and VGA inputs. I recognize that this may be a problem: I plan to try using a DVI cable + an HDMI adaptor to fit into the HDMI port of the KVM switch.

Both PCs I want to use the switch for have HDMI outputs. I use a wireless Logitech mouse and my old PS/2 keyboard with a Perixx adaptor (https://www.amazon.com/Perixx-PERIP...9144429&sr=1-46&keywords=belkin+usb+kvm+cable).

Please don't allow this problem-solving to wear down your generous spirit! I'm used to "search and ye shall find" experimenting!

 

[teckneeculler]

WinOwl, no prob. OK, so your main PC is a Dell? What brand and model is the monitor? And Speccy report on the W7?
I can't comment on your Amazon order yet, but you seem to have done your homework, so maybe it'll be OK

 

[SIW2]

So the Gigabyte B365M DS3H works OK for W7? Is that board still available?

Dont think you will find a brand new boxed now. I bought one ex display and one second hand.

Doesn't look like I have ACPI Wake Time. Is that for 'Wake on LAN'?

I dont know what it is for. Might be related to some optional power saving feature.

 

[WinOwl]

WinOwl, no prob. OK, so your main PC is a Dell? What brand and model is the monitor? And Speccy report on the W7?
I can't comment on your Amazon order yet, but you seem to have done your homework, so maybe it'll be OK

teckneeculler, Yup, my main PC is a Dell, so is my old W7 PC. I'm sorry I completely forgot to include a Speccy report on the W7. Here 'tis:

As ever, a multitude of thanks!!!

 

[teckneeculler]

OK. And your monitor brand and model? It's under Graphics in Speccy's left side menu. BTW, you don't need to take screenshots--click on 'File' at top left then 'Save as text file' then upload it to wherever it's required.

 

[WinOwl]

OK. And your monitor brand and model? It's under Graphics in Speccy's left side menu. BTW, you don't need to take screenshots--click on 'File' at top left then 'Save as text file' then upload it to wherever it's required.

Sorry for the incomplete info, techneeculler. No excuse!! I saved Speccy's text file (of course I didn't know you could do this! ). My monitor is an HP Compaq LA2205wg.

Many thanks for your patience and help!

 

[teckneeculler]

WinOwl: Ok, I'll check out your info and come back after I've had a chance to study it. Although you might already have received your order

 

[WinOwl]

WinOwl: Ok, I'll check out your info and come back after I've had a chance to study it. Although you might already have received your order

techneeculler, You are rapidly growing a halo!! I haven't received the KVM order from Amazon yet. It's not expected for several more days. However that KVM switch works out, whatever I can learn from you will go directly into my Win7 brain lobe for permanent reference! So any suggestions you have will be most welcome.

If it's of any interest, here's some background info:

During the time that contributors to this wonderful forum have generously offered suggestions, I continue to plod along trying to use Word 2003 on my Win11 PC. I had been able to use Word 2003 just fine in Win11 (except for the loss of the auto-fill email addressing ability in Outlook 2003, which I can live without) for about a year.

But then on 11/14/2023 along came Windows' automatic update KB5032190 (I've got its number memorized by now!). As soon as it installed in my PC, the Office Clipboard, which I use very often in Word 2003, began freezing up. This a progressive slow-down; as I continue to use the Clipboard more during the same session, Word begins to respond slower and slower, until finally it freezes up completely. (I tried a list of things: clearing the Office Clipboard, making sure the Windows clipboard has history turned off, repairing Office 2003, running Word in /a mode, increasing virtual memory, plus other attempted solutions -- but none of these things helped.)

I then uninstalled KB5032190 (and verified it wasn't installed in Updates History). Then I checked that my PC has a metered wifi connection and for Windows not to download automatic updates on a metered connection. I configured services > Windows updates to "disabled." And I set Windows to delay all future updates the max of 5 weeks. Word 2003 then worked OK -- for a day or two.

In spite of my attempts to block automatic updates, Windows somehow managed to get around the blocks and reinstall KB5032190 -- and now there's no option to uninstall it.

(All of this, the very same thing, also has happened with my wife's Win 11 Dell PC using Office 2003. In her case, I eventually did a restore to the time before KB...190 was installed. I immedidately set up the same blocks to automatic updates. But, even so (!!!), Windows managed to reinstall that update, and now it's not listed as uninstallable.

So that's the complete story why I'm trying now to use a KVM switch so I can continue to use Office 2003 on my old Win7 PC, and use my Win11 PC online. -- --- --- Long story, I know. Sorry for the eyeball workout! :huh:

 

[teckneeculler]

WinOwl, that's okay. Your story isn't new - the majority of computer users around the world are, to put it baldly, manipulated by their computers. Whereas, people who've learnt how not to be manipulated by their computers, but rather the other way around, rarely get into situations they can't control, either immediately or within a few hours or days. Most of the problems that I have of late is usually because I've either forgotten a lot of what I've learnt, or when brain fog rolls in and disrupts my concentration, or because I've never bothered to keep up with the play by learning more about W10 and W11. My W7 system is like a finely tuned Ferrari - it's uncluttered and lightning fast, and does everything I need it to do without complaint. When I was building W7 systems for customers I'd give them the same setup as I'd always done for myself, but invariably, a friend or relative who 'knew about computers' would come along and 'tune up' their systems which would then no longer work properly. One of my settings was to always turn off Windows updates, and that was a favorite target. "Oh no, you must have updates turned on! And why did he give you Windows 7? That's so old."

I stopped building systems about the same time as W10 came out, partly because, at the time, it didn't seem possible to turn off updates (which can be done easily now, of course, in both W10 and W11) and because I detested the look, layout and feel of W10. I won't go into details as this screed might turn into a book. Suffice to say that now I'm struggling to learn about, and deal with, W10 and W11, partly because I set up W10 on my wife's computer (she was doing captioning at the time and needed 10) so I need to keep it under control, and partly because I feel I should know more about these pestiferous new systems. Like, 'Know your enemy'.

So, here I am in my warm and cosy cave with my faithful and friendly W7, with whom I chat via Word 2003, while just outside the cave entrance squat two bland, ugly, humorless boxes that keep pestering me to let them in, but I won't have a bar of it. Life's definitely too short, now.

Anyway, re your KVM, it seems to me (having not yet studied the details) that you may have been able to use a switch that uses VGA video, as both your systems apparently have VGA ports, as well as the monitor. And possibly the PS2 connectors on the old style KVM (that I have), could have been adapted to USB?

 

[WinOwl]

WinOwl, that's okay. Your story isn't new - the majority of computer users around the world are, to put it baldly, manipulated by their computers. Whereas, people who've learnt how not to be manipulated by their computers, but rather the other way around, rarely get into situations they can't control, either immediately or within a few hours or days. Most of the problems that I have of late is usually because I've either forgotten a lot of what I've learnt, or when brain fog rolls in and disrupts my concentration, or because I've never bothered to keep up with the play by learning more about W10 and W11. My W7 system is like a finely tuned Ferrari - it's uncluttered and lightning fast, and does everything I need it to do without complaint. When I was building W7 systems for customers I'd give them the same setup as I'd always done for myself, but invariably, a friend or relative who 'knew about computers' would come along and 'tune up' their systems which would then no longer work properly. One of my settings was to always turn off Windows updates, and that was a favorite target. "Oh no, you must have updates turned on! And why did he give you Windows 7? That's so old."

I stopped building systems about the same time as W10 came out, partly because, at the time, it didn't seem possible to turn off updates (which can be done easily now, of course, in both W10 and W11) and because I detested the look, layout and feel of W10. I won't go into details as this screed might turn into a book. Suffice to say that now I'm struggling to learn about, and deal with, W10 and W11, partly because I set up W10 on my wife's computer (she was doing captioning at the time and needed 10) so I need to keep it under control, and partly because I feel I should know more about these pestiferous new systems. Like, 'Know your enemy'.

So, here I am in my warm and cosy cave with my faithful and friendly W7, with whom I chat via Word 2003, while just outside the cave entrance squat two bland, ugly, humorless boxes that keep pestering me to let them in, but I won't have a bar of it. Life's definitely too short, now.

Anyway, re your KVM, it seems to me (having not yet studied the details) that you may have been able to use a switch that uses VGA video, as both your systems apparently have VGA ports, as well as the monitor. And possibly the PS2 connectors on the old style KVM (that I have), could have been adapted to USB?

techneeculler, Hello and a tip of my frayed writer's cap to your clear and very enjoyable style of writing! And, as always, a multitude of thanks for sharing your knowledge, and for bearing with my last way-too-long venting about Windows automatic updating.

Not being proficient in this area, I've tried hard to block Windows 11 from updating, to no avail so far. I followed some of the instructions given at How to Stop Windows 10 Update Permanently - 7 Ways - MiniTool. I mentioned in my last posting what I tried. Now, I guess it's too late, since the enemy has infiltrated inside my attempted blockade, so your warm and cozy cave using Win 7 feels like a distant inaccessible paradise!

Thank you for your KVM-related thoughts. Unfortunately, my new Dell PC doesn't have a VGA port, only HDMI and PD. And many thanks for thinking of my adapting the type of KVM switch you have. The switch I ordered is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow (just in time, I threw out my back so sciatic pain is not going to be great as I crawl around on the floor behind my 2 PC towers trying to connect the cables! ).