2 HDD's- DOUBLE BOOT+Windows Erasing question

angela · 14 Feb 2010 at 20:49

Hi,
Want to get new HDD,got Seagate atm 500GB (2 partitions-1st Windows Vista, 2nd Media Files).

I want to buy new HDD and install windows 7, will it work to have 2 OS's and boot whatever I want?

BETTER OPTION: is to possible to clean 1st Partition where is Windows Vista Installed and use Seagate HDD as a media storage/back up.
and on new install W7???

Thanks

angela · 15 Feb 2010 at 11:25

someone?

Ziggy4 · 15 Feb 2010 at 12:18

Couple of options here. You can use imaging software e.g. Acronis, etc to move the system over to the new drive or in this case I think your own suggestion is probably easiest given that you already have your media files on a separate partition. So yes, you can wipe the OS partion during Windows setup, install to the new drive then simply copy your media off the second partition. Afterwards you can always repartition the old drive as needed. Might be an idea to also make a backup of emails, addresses, etc from the OS partition before wiping since these are stored locally by default.

angela · 28 Feb 2010 at 00:03

good stuff, what about double boot than? hear many people have issue with it...

can I just simply install W7 on new HDD and leave Vista on seagate drive?

Ziggy4 · 1 Mar 2010 at 00:54

You can do just that but to be honest once you use Windows 7 I think you'll want to ditch Vista for good and never look back. Similar UI but more streamlined, smaller footprint, uses less resources and perhaps more importantly, it's stable!

angela · 14 Mar 2010 at 14:28

maybe, the only reason I want to keep vista for now, is because some of mine components don't have drivers for vista for now!

but maybe u r right!

and if I keep vista, how will I switch between to OS's? do I just put BOOT priority in bios for hdd I want to boot first, or???

And · 14 Mar 2010 at 14:37

With dual boot you'll get a (DOS) options screen of available OSs to boot, in order of which HD is the first in the boot priority. Works fine in my experience. Personally I'd drop Vista.

cheers
A

angela · 14 Mar 2010 at 14:59

heard DOS have errors in many experiences?
I probably will install W7 on new HDD and erase Vista from Older HDD and use it as media storage!

what's best option to erase Vista?

angela · 23 Mar 2010 at 19:50

someone?

b-star · 26 Mar 2010 at 16:55

You can leave 2 OS's:

Simply install windows7 on new drive, once it's done - you'll have option between OS's while boot.

Also you can Erase Vista During Installation, then Install W7 on new Drive,

Thanks

angela · 20 Apr 2010 at 12:20

Finally got my hands on Installation of new OS, erased Vista and now using W7 on new drive and older drive using as storage, Thanks