Windows 8 Dual boot win 8 in win 7

[davidhk129]

I have a laptop running Win 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit. 4 GB Ram
I had shrunk the 581.42 GB (C: ), and created a 284241 MB partition intended to install Win 8 into.

I have a retail Win 8 Pro upgrade version which comes with a 32-bit and a 64-bit disc.
Can I use anyone of the 2 or do I have to use 64-bit disc ?

Thank you.

 

[badrobot]

You can use any, but with I would recommend the 32-bit even though you have 4GB Ram. But it's just me. Your 4GB Ram can handle 64bit but 32bit will be more efficient in terms of performance.

 

[whs]

You can use both, but I would use the 64bit version. Makes use of all your RAM and is probably faster.

LOL, now you have 2 opposing views. I have a 32bit Windows 8.1 on a 2GB (tablet) system and that runs fine. But with 4GB, I would use 64bit.

 

[davidhk129]

Just to make sure.

My Win 8 Pro is an Upgrade version. Not full version.
I can still use it for dual boot installation ?
I mean, I will be installing it into an unallocated partition which has no previous OS to upgrade from.
That's ok ?

 

[Jimbo22]

"I can't let you do that Dave"......a la space odyessy 2001....lol. I don't think it will allow you with out having a prior OS installed...hence the upgrade. This might help.....

http://lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc

 

[badrobot]

I was just about to say that Bass. A base OS is needed to be able to use that upgrade CD. Even clean installing the original Win 7 on another partition after the upgrade to W8 may not even work as the original W7 key is still in use.

 

[Jimbo22]

I wonder if you could use a trial version and then use the upgarde disc....I've never tried it.

 

[whs]

Yes you can make a clean install with an upgrade version. Here is how.

 

[Jimbo22]

Cool beans WHS....thanks.

 

[davidhk129]

So, I have a 4GB Ram laptop dual booting Win 8 and Win 7 ( 7 is my default )
And, I have a 2GB Ram laptop running Win 8.1.1
I think I am covered.
Until Win 9............

 

[whs]

So, I have a 4GB Ram laptop dual booting Win 8 and Win 7 ( 7 is my default )
And, I have a 2GB Ram laptop running Win 8.1.1
I think I am covered.
Until Win 9............

LOL, you are modest. There is a lot more gear out there that you could add. How about a couple of tablets and phones and some really barnstormer desktop. And don't forget Android and Linux. Nice systems. Only the fruit company you can skip.

 

[Jimbo22]

David, how do you like the new dual boot interface of windows 8?

I have a samsung RV511 that came with windows 7 home, dual booted with windows 8 Pro and was pleasantly surprised to the new GUI of windows 8 dual boot screen. Sure beats the crappy windows 7 junk.

 

[davidhk129]

Takes too long to logon to Win 8.
Takes even longer if I want to return to Win 7.

 

[Jimbo22]

Agreed...but I was actually asking about the look not how it performed....
Yes it's really take a long time especially if you want to go back to 7, it ends up essentially rebooting again. All that will change when I get a hold of 2 SSD's ...one for my laptop and one for the desktop.

 

[davidhk129]

I don't use Shut Down option. So, I don't get to see the pretty side of the interface.

Sleep mode is the only option I use when I am done with the laptop.
So, no matter which os I choose to start, I only see the ugly black and white screen showing the options of Win 8 or Win 7.

 

[whs]

Link Removed

All that will change when I get a hold of 2 SSD's ...one for my laptop and one for the desktop.

What are you waiting for. Saw that on Newegg a few days ago.

 

[Jimbo22]

Waiting on some cash flow.....it's tight right now. Soon, real soon....I'm hoping....next 30 days. I'll be going with Samsung EVO series.

 

[davidhk129]

Dual booting is a colossal disappointment.
I am removing it.
Virtual Box or VMware player will be a better alternative if I still fancy 2 OS in one hardware.

 

[badrobot]

That's because your system is at marginal specifications to begin with. You would be lucky to get it to perform good on a single boot OS. But going dual boot is just definitely pushing it. Virtualization may not be also a walk in the park but could be better than dual boot.

 

[badrobot]

Waiting on some cash flow.....it's tight right now. Soon, real soon....I'm hoping....next 30 days. I'll be going with Samsung EVO series.

I only buy my stuffs whenever I get my end of the year and mid-year bonuses. Hahaha...

Evo Series is definitely getting more affordable. This $149 price used to be for a 128GB SSD. Now it's 250GB!

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=1088&item_id=062499