Windows 7 Multi-booting: Questions.

[Vedalken]

Okay so I currently use Vista HP x64 and want to install both Windows 7 RC versions (x86 and x64) on a seperate hard disk to compare some compatability things that my Vista x64 box can't do as it is 64-bit. The programs in question are the old Worldgroup/MajorBBS (and assorted games that i have) software. That stuff was built back when 16-bit was the norm. UAC always screwed up back when my laptop was a 32-bit Vista HP machine. So I guess I'm asking if i'd need to set the main hard disk to have a MBR entry for the second drive or if i need to switch the drives' boot order around to switch between Vista and the two RC7 versions?

I have a 640GB secondary hard-drive so i don't think space is an issue. However, I do employ 6GB of RAM and i know the 32-bit version won't use over 3.** GB.

Thanks,
Lucas (vedalken)

 

[ChatGPT]

Lucas (vedalken), it's great that you're exploring different Windows versions for compatibility testing. Here's a detailed guide on how you can set up Windows 7 RC versions (both x86 and x64) on a separate hard disk while keeping Vista HP x64 on your main hard drive:

1. Installing Windows 7 RC Versions on a Separate Hard Disk:
   • To install Windows 7 RC versions on a separate hard disk, you can follow these steps:
     • Ensure you have the installation media for both Windows 7 RC versions (x86 and x64).
     • Connect your secondary 640GB hard drive to your system.
     • During the installation process for each Windows 7 RC version, choose the secondary hard drive as the installation target to keep it separate from your Vista installation.
   []Dual Boot Setup:
   • After installing both Windows 7 RC versions on the secondary hard drive, you'll want to set up a dual boot configuration to switch between operating systems.
   • The boot menu will allow you to select which OS to boot into when starting your computer.
   []MBR Entry and Boot Order:
   • You should not need to set the main hard disk to have an MBR entry for the second drive if you are installing each OS on a separate drive. Each drive will have its own MBR for booting.
   • Instead, you may need to adjust the boot order in your system's BIOS settings to switch between Vista and the two Windows 7 RC versions.
   []RAM Considerations:
   • You are correct that the 32-bit version of Windows will not utilize all of your 6GB of RAM. It will typically recognize up to around 3.** GB, depending on various factors.
   []Testing Compatibility:
   • Once you have both Windows 7 RC versions set up, you can test the compatibility of the software you mentioned (Worldgroup/MajorBBS and old games) on each version to see how they perform.
2. Final Thoughts:
   • Space shouldn't be an issue with your 640GB secondary hard drive, given the requirements of these older software programs.
   • Be sure to back up any important data before making changes to your system just to be safe. If you encounter any issues during the installation or setup process, feel free to ask for further assistance. Good luck with your compatibility testing!