Can I do this? (Dual boot Win7 with swap)

[ToxicBanana]

What I want to do is be able to have Windows 7 installed on my computer on two separate partitions; one for work and one for play (video games).

My main issue is this laptop is used as a spare gaming rig when we do lan parties, but I have some confidential and/or information I do not want to loose, I do backup frequently but I would prefer if I could keep the work and play completely separate, if someone would download a virus by mistake I could loose several days of data (I back up once a week).

What I would is to do the following;

1.-Making an image of my current partition to completely restore the laptop the way it is now if something goes wrong. (I have a SATA to USB so I can connect this HDD to my desktop) but I don't know where to start software wise
2.-Install 2 copies of Windows 7 (I have one copy now, I could buy another if needed but would prefer not to) both on separate partitions. (I would prefer a reformat of my current win7) (don't know how to install 2 copies of windows 7 on 1 HDD with 2 partions)
3.-Restore my data and install files from a backup. (This is no problem)
4.-If its possible at to name the Operating systems from something like;
-Windows 7 Operating system 1
-Windows 7 Operating system 2
To something like
-Work Windows 7
-Play Windows 7
(Have no idea to do this or if it can even be done)

This is the laptop in case you needed to know for whatever
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114903&cm_re=qosmio-_-34-114-903-_-Product

Thanks for the help

 

[lucasbytegenius]

For full partition backup, I use DriveImageXML. Freeware. For editing the boot manager, EasyBCD works for me. Get some documentation on it before you use it though.

To restore your data from a XML image, you can boot up with BartPE or Hiren's Boot CD. Install DriveImageXML on BartPE, and I think Hiren's Boot CD already has it. With BartPE, you have to supply a Windows XP disk to make a PE disk. Both are freeware.

 

[ToxicBanana]

For full partition backup, I use DriveImageXML. Freeware. For editing the boot manager, EasyBCD works for me. Get some documentation on it before you use it though.

To restore your data from a XML image, you can boot up with BartPE or Hiren's Boot CD. Install DriveImageXML on BartPE, and I think Hiren's Boot CD already has it. With BartPE, you have to supply a Windows XP disk to make a PE disk. Both are freeware.

Can I just enter the XML image in an explorer type fashion to pull files from it?

 

[lucasbytegenius]

No, sorry, it isn't a Mac. You have to run the program, and if you make an appropriate sized virtual drive with Gizmo, you should be all set once you restore the XML to the virtual drive. It works well, and combined with the CDs I mentioned, you have a great arsenal. And BTW, I just verified my statement: Hiren's Boot CD does have DIXML on it. Just open up the HBCD menu, and in the menu at the top of the dialog box, you'll find all sorts of great programs.