Windows 7 32 bit, - want to add W2K8R2-64bit to make dualboot laptop

[PJdB]

I have a i5 laptop, 4GB ram with Windows 7 Enterprise 32 bit running on a single partition, which takes up the entire 240Gb HDD.

I would like to keep this OS, and install a second OS - W2K8R2-64 bit. (I want the W2K8R2 OS to be a nice stable area for running DJ software)

Would the best way to achieve this be to shrink the current partition, and literally just put in the W2K8R2 disc, and install it on the newly created partition? Or, am I going to run into problems? Will W2K8R2 cause problems to my current Windows 7 install?

I don't want to go the VHD route...

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I've never seen or heard of anyone having both 32 and a 64 bit system on the same machine in dual boot :/

Seems you'd have a better chance with the 64 bit installed first but would it work either way ?
Cheers.

 

[Randycool79]

Well if you want another is on your pc, you need to get the x32 os version. Then you partition your hard drive in disk management.
Then you have a partition and make it as a hard drive. Now you have another hard drive for dual booting. Now install the x32 so on that partition. Now you have dual boot. Reply to me if you need help

Randycool79

 

[Randycool79]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I've never seen or heard of anyone having both 32 and a 64 bit system on the same machine in dual boot :/

Seems you'd have a better chance with the 64 bit installed first but would it work either way ?
Cheers.

It will work. I tried it on my windows xp pc. Windows xp was installed as a 32 bit os then I installed Windows 7 on my partition which was x64 bit version

 

[groze]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I've never seen or heard of anyone having both 32 and a 64 bit system on the same machine in dual boot :/

Seems you'd have a better chance with the 64 bit installed first but would it work either way ?
Cheers.

It will work. I tried it on my windows xp pc. Windows xp was installed as a 32 bit os then I installed Windows 7 on my partition which was x64 bit version

I done this as well

Here is what I had

Windows 7 64 bit
Windows 10 32 bit preview
Lubuntu 32 bit.

I also had
Windows 7 32 bit
Windows 10 64 bit preview
Lubuntu 32 bit.

I got Lubuntu 64bit 14.10 once I realized that I could install wine 32 and still run windows 16 bit programs.

 

[ThrashZone]

Thanks all
I always thought os's were codependent on the original install even though a machine might be 64 bit compatible once a 32 bit os exists your set to that bitness :/

Look forward to the op's update
Cheers.

 

[DavidE]

It can be done on a single HD/SSD with multiple partitions, or with each OS on a different storage device (HD/SSD).
Right now my test box is a triple boot on a single SSD with W8.1 x64, W7 x64, and W7 x86.
The W7 OS's were installed over 5 years ago, and 8.1 was an "upgrade" from XP less than a year ago.
My primary box is a dual boot, each OS is on a different SSD/HD.

You have Enterprise now, is this a business/company PC ?

imho the best way is to have each OS on a different HD/SSD, if possible.

 

[PJdB]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I've never seen or heard of anyone having both 32 and a 64 bit system on the same machine in dual boot :/

Seems you'd have a better chance with the 64 bit installed first but would it work either way ?
Cheers.

Hey - thanks - and thanks everyone for all the quick replies - seems like a busy forum

Well if you want another is on your pc, you need to get the x32 os version.

Randycool79

Sorry - I'm not clear on what you mean here?

So, it's perfectly possible to create a dual boot laptop with a 32-bit6 & 64-bit OS's.

You're saying above that I need to get the 32-bit version of W2K8-R2 though?

It can be done on a single HD/SSD with multiple partitions, or with each OS on a different storage device (HD/SSD).
Right now my test box is a triple boot on a single SSD with W8.1 x64, W7 x64, and W7 x86.
The W7 OS's were installed over 5 years ago, and 8.1 was an "upgrade" from XP less than a year ago.
My primary box is a dual boot, each OS is on a different SSD/HD.

You have Enterprise now, is this a business/company PC ?

imho the best way is to have each OS on a different HD/SSD, if possible.

Yes, this is a company laptop. It's a Toshiba A11-11H - so single HDD.




What about my suggestion of shrinking my current drive (I have loads of free space). And install W2K8R2 on that? Do you think it'll be as straight forward as that, or will I need to modify any of the boot files or whatnot?


Cheers

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
From the responses I would say yes it's just that easy,
No modifications are necessary provided you have permissions to do the partition and install
Dual boot in general is pretty straight forward and as you described already my quirk was with the different bitness not the actual process,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutsearch.php?q=dual%20boot%20

 

[AddRAM]

Of course you can install 32 and 64 bit on the same machine, why do you want Server ? You won`t find any graphics drivers. But if that`s ok then go fo it.

Some sort of experiment ?

 

[Alejandro85]

Of course you can install 32 and 64 bit on the same machine, why do you want Server ? You won`t find any graphics drivers. But if that`s ok then go fo it.

Some sort of experiment ?

Drivers are available everywhere, they're the same as the Win7 ones. Remember that all Windows editions are exactly the same with just artificial limitations on the installed features (effectively, for example, Win7 Starter and Win2008R2 Datacenter are in fact the very same program). Hence the drivers are the same, the programs run or fail to run in the same way and behavior is the same, the main difference being the default configuration in some areas, that can be tweaked in both cases.

I've done that experiment some years ago and found all those facts "the hard way"

The question is interesting though, why the server? It's just more expensive and many times the extra features don't merit the cost or can be replaced by better free software alternatives.

 

[AddRAM]

I`m sorry but Server and Enterprise are not the same as the other versions.

 

[Layback Bear]

I would suggest you do your experimenting on your computer not the company computer.
Doing such a thing on a company is a good way of loosing your job.

From post #8

Yes, this is a company laptop. It's a Toshiba A11-11H - so single HDD.

 

[Alejandro85]

Even better, experiment on a virtual machine. Any problems there will die there without need to reformat anything in any computer currently in use.

 

[AddRAM]

I humbly apologize to Alejandro85, it seems you can install the latest nVidia drivers for a 660 on Server 2012 R2, someone else would have to chime in on Server 2008 R2.

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't care what one is installing on a company computer without the companies permission; it called hacking a companies computer. Virtual machine or other wise. As far as I know it is still covered by the forum rule # 6.

Please read.
http://www.sevenforums.com/misc.php?do=showrules

 

[AddRAM]

I agree Jack, let`s close this thread.

I just wanted to make my apology to Alejandro85

 

[Alejandro85]

Even though the computer may be owned by the company, nothing here indicates hacking at least. He could have permission or maybe the company is precisely about this music software, who knows, the OP didn't said after all. The virtual machine don't constitute hacking I think, it won't break the machine.
Having licences for that Windows installs is a diffent history.

Anyway, this discussion won't help the OP at all.

@AddRAM, don't worry, no offense taken

 

[Barman58]

Due to the uncertain nature of this thread I believe that it should be closed.

Any modifications to a company laptop should only be performed via the relevant company department