Solved Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Windows Pro x64 dual-boot BIOS vs UEFI

[rarespologea]

Hello! I recently acquired an Acer V3-771G and I want to dual-boot Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Windows 8 Pro x64 and I was wondering if it is recommended to change BIOS with the UEFI found on Acer's site. Also, if i should do that, when is it right to switch from BIOS to UEFI? In the beginning, after W7 is installed, after W8 is installed, etc. Note that I have some experience with dual-boots, but none whatsoever with Windows 8.

As for the system specs, I am only able to write them as they are written on the box, as I haven't installed any Windows yet.
CPU: i7-3630QM
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Nvidia GeForce GT650M
8 GB Ram DDR3
HDD: 500GB 5400rpm

 

[theog]

Does your Acer have a BIOS chip or a uEFI firmware chip?

 

[braddersz]

I dont have any experiance with dual-boots, But I would suggest, If you are going to update the bios, Do so, before you install any OS. updating the bios once windows is installed, Comes with a slightly higher risk. Although most times, There isnt a problem.

 

[gregrocker]

EFI is a new type of BIOS: The 30-year-long Reign of BIOS is Over: Why UEFI W... - Input Output
Technical Note: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube

To install in EFI mode: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

To Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7

 

[theog]

Nice video Greg.

 

[rarespologea]

Thanks for the replies, but I have to say that I already installed W7 through BIOS. Acer's BIOS and UEFI updates are .exe files, so I suppose there needs to be a preinstalled OS so I can run them. What I want to know is if I can convert the NTFS W7 partition to a GPT one (I understand that UEFI creates GPT partitions) and then install W8. Or, to be more precise, what would you do if you were in my shoes?

 

[theog]

Does your Acer have a BIOS chip or a uEFI firmware chip?

waiting a reply.

 

[gregrocker]

If you've already installed Win7 in Legacy BIOS mode to an MBR format HD, then I'd install Win8 the same way. What's the problem with doing this? Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista - Windows 8 Forums

I gave you resources earlier to better understand UEFI. If you have an EFI BIOS and you want to install the Dual Boot in UEFI mode you'll have to turn off Legacy BIOS, wipe the HD to convert it to GPT, then install in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

 

[braddersz]

Where are we upto with this? did you update the bios?.

 

[rarespologea]

Ok, so I've seen the links greg sent and I've understood the obvious advantages of UEFI over BIOS. Then, I've run Aida64 and found out that I have a InsydeH20 BIOS version 1.11. The Acer site lists under BIOS downloads version 1.12 and version 2.12 which is labelled "BIOS - UEFI for Windows 8 (Not for Upgrades)". The W7 currently installed was installed through Legacy BIOS, by DVD. I have not made any BIOS updates yet. A dual-boot with W8 without UEFI is an option, but since the motherboard is UEFI capable, I would like to use its advantages. So, what you suggest?

Another thing: the Acer site says that it is not recommended to switch to UEFI on laptops with W7 preinstalled and it is not recommended to switch to BIOS on laptops with W8 preinstalled. The problem is that mine came with Linux preinstalled, while the Acer site's driver section lists drivers for both W7 and W8. Then, on the internet I've seen that BIOS upgrades are from the "if it works, don't update it" category. What can possibly go wrong? Shouldn't it be a worry-free upgrade since it is only an .exe to run?

 

[theog]

Another thing: the Acer site says that it is not recommended to switch to UEFI on laptops with Windows 7 preinstalled

Post the link.

 

[gregrocker]

Others may have a different view, but I would stick with Legacy BIOS. I've not heard benefits of UEFI that are convincing, and we are swamped here with problems with them.

What was it you saw that makes EFI an "obvious advantage?"

 

[rarespologea]

UEFI for Windows 7 computers
"Computers that ship with Windows 7 have a standard BIOS. Acer does not recommend or support changing to UEFI on these systems.
Computers that ship with Windows 8 have UEFI. Acer does not recommend or support changing to standard BIOS on these systems."
As I have said before, my laptop came with Linux preinstalled, while the official site lists drivers for both W7 and W8.

@greg: I was looking forward to lower boot times, aswell as the pre-boot interface where I can test the memory, and so on.

 

[gregrocker]

I've heard nothing mentioned about actual lower boot times yet.

RAM can be tested from F8 menu, but the onboard RAM test is inferior to RAM - Test with Memtest86+ anyway.

Anything else?

 

[rarespologea]

The 30-year-long Reign of BIOS is Over: Why UEFI W... - Input Output

This is one of the articles I've read.

I've not heard benefits of UEFI that are convincing, and we are swamped here with problems with them.

Swamped with problems? That can't be good.

So, you recommend that I simply dual-boot W7 and W8 in MBR? That would be simplest since I don't have to wipe the HDD. But in this case, why does Acer even bother to post a UEFI on their site? And btw, should I or shouldn't I upgrade the BIOS from 1.11 to 1.12?

 

[theog]

UEFI for Windows 7 computers
"Computers that ship with Windows 7 have a standard BIOS. Acer does not recommend or support changing to UEFI on these systems.
Computers that ship with Windows 8 have UEFI. Acer does not recommend or support changing to standard BIOS on these systems."
As I have said before, my laptop came with Linux preinstalled, while the official site lists drivers for both W7 and W8.

As I have asked before do you have a Legacy BIOS firmware chip or a uEFI/BIOS firmware chip?

If you have a Legacy BIOS firmware chip:
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista

If you have a uEFI/BIOS firmware chip:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html
Than install Windows 8 in uEFI mode,
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 8 with

 

[rarespologea]

This is my msinfo32 screenshot.

I have downloaded the service manual and it says that the BIOS type is UEFI, but still, msinfo32 says it is a 1.11 BIOS (from what I understand UEFI starts at 2.xx)

 

[rarespologea]

Update.

I have updated to BIOS v1.12 without a problem, so my BIOS is now 1.12.

 

[rarespologea]

Update.

I have decided that since my HDD is 500GB and the boot time for W7 is under 1 minute anyway, the switch to UEFI and GPT is too troublesome therefore I will simply dual-boot W7 and W8 through BIOS.
Will keep you posted.

 

[rarespologea]

Last Update.

I've succesfully dual-booted W7 Ultimate x64 with W8 Pro x64, so that's that. Didn't go for UEFI because the advantages in my case were basically none.

Thank you for the speed with which you responded to my posts and good-bye !