Hi------I'm running windows 7 with 2 partitions. Can I install another operating system and during setup, choose to create a 3rd partition where the 2nd operating system would be installed? If that is possible, how do I choose which system to boot to? Thanks for your help-Frank
how to dual boot
- Thread starter vanmol
- Start date
sysengrnz
New Member
re:
Ok a few questions:
1. What OS do you intend to install on the second partition?
2. I'd recommend booting into windows 7 and reallocating the partitions prior to doing the install of the New OS. That will save any drama's you may face.
3. If you're intending on installing a linux distribution, you'll need a 3rd partition with a size of about 3 - 5 Gb as a swap partition. The 2nd partition will be used for the linux file system i.e... ext2,3 or 4 *what ever one you decide to use*.
If you install Linux after Windows, then the new boot loader when you load your PC will be GRUB. If you did it in reverse cycle i.e... Linux then Win 7, you'll find that the boot loader will naturally use the Windows Default one.
If you're looking at installing an older windows OS as the secondary one, ensure the installation disk that you're using, has the hard drive sata drivers slip streamed on to it, especially if your PC has new hardware. You'll find if the hardwares new and the OS is old that you will more than likely not see your hard-drive and won't be able to install.
Ok a few questions:
1. What OS do you intend to install on the second partition?
2. I'd recommend booting into windows 7 and reallocating the partitions prior to doing the install of the New OS. That will save any drama's you may face.
3. If you're intending on installing a linux distribution, you'll need a 3rd partition with a size of about 3 - 5 Gb as a swap partition. The 2nd partition will be used for the linux file system i.e... ext2,3 or 4 *what ever one you decide to use*.
If you install Linux after Windows, then the new boot loader when you load your PC will be GRUB. If you did it in reverse cycle i.e... Linux then Win 7, you'll find that the boot loader will naturally use the Windows Default one.
If you're looking at installing an older windows OS as the secondary one, ensure the installation disk that you're using, has the hard drive sata drivers slip streamed on to it, especially if your PC has new hardware. You'll find if the hardwares new and the OS is old that you will more than likely not see your hard-drive and won't be able to install.
I was running XP and wanted to dual boot with win 7. I installed a second hard disk in the computer, disconnected XP and installed win 7 on it. I then had to go into the Bios to select the OS to run. Someone on here told me how to change things so that I would have the option at boot up to choose which OS to load. Could probably find the post if any good to you.
sysengrnz
New Member
Re:
Simple as mate follow the below:
1. XP is already installed, so start up the windows 7 installation.
2. On the partition selection page, chose the second partition on your drive.
3. Let it install, and in the process, it'll install the windows 7 boot loader.
4. After installation, the PC will restart and the windows 7 boot loader will automatically recognize the windows xp installation on the first partition and list it.
5. Now all you have to do is chose which OS you want to load when you first turn on your PC.
It's that simple.
Simple as mate follow the below:
1. XP is already installed, so start up the windows 7 installation.
2. On the partition selection page, chose the second partition on your drive.
3. Let it install, and in the process, it'll install the windows 7 boot loader.
4. After installation, the PC will restart and the windows 7 boot loader will automatically recognize the windows xp installation on the first partition and list it.
5. Now all you have to do is chose which OS you want to load when you first turn on your PC.
It's that simple.