Win 7 32 and 64 bit

[ChiefZeke]

I read the one other posting and I do have enough disk space/partitions for multi-boot.
 
I presently have XP Pro w/SP3 on the system. I would like to install Win 7 32-bit on a separate partition and Win 7 64-bit on another separate partiton (I have two each 1Tb drives so the space is not a problem).
 
So, can I do this and still retain a multi-boot: XP Pro, Win 7 32, and Win 7 64?

[Spawn]

Yes.

[ChiefZeke]

Thanks for the quick reply - time to do some planning and get ready.

[Black Viper]

Why, may I ask, are you going to install both 32 and 64-bit versions on the same system? Benchmarking?
If it is not to test something specific, I would suggest only putting on the 64-bit version.

[ChiefZeke]

I'm opting for both because I have friends that I just know will be asking various questions about Windows 7 and, while I have a 64-bit capable system, they do not. I have the space and inclination to test both and, therefore, be prepared for what I know is coming from the technically uninformed.

[BobRevay]

I have had so much annoyance with the 64 bit W'7 beta, that I am inclined to install the 32 bit RC. Several important (to me) "utilities" that worked in 32 bit XP, just couldn't be run in 64 bit W'7 unless I launched a 32 bit Windows explorer and remembered which explorer window was which -- they looked pretty much the same.
 
I have d/l'd both 32 and 64 RC versions and will clean install sometime this week after looking for caveats and suggestions from you computer savvy folks
 
 

[ChiefZeke]

See other postings about my Win7 32-bit install problems but I have had no luck at all in getting 64-bit to install. In the Microsoft Win7 install forums many other complaints about BS0D MULTIPROCESSOR_CONFIGURATION_NOT_ SUPPORTED issues.
 
Seems Win7 does not like single cpus with multiple cores - though I could install Win XP Pro x64 on my system with the ABIT IX48 GT3  motherboard and Intel Core2 Quad Q9650 cpu. Go figure.

[ChiefZeke]

As I mentioned in another post - build 7264 solved Win7 64-bit install problem.

[Black Viper]

As I mentioned in another post - build 7264 solved Win7 64-bit install problem.

Rockin'. Glad you are up and running.

[dipper]

This may or may not be of interesr but I'll post it anyway on the off chance it may be.

Instead of dual booting I use a hard drive caddy, its a trayless one and SATA.
To change a drive all you do is open the little door, slide out the drive in it, slide in the next drive and close the dor, all of 6 or so seconds.
No messing with dual boots.

The caddy installs into a spare DVD \ CD drive bay.

Heres a link to 2, although in the UK it will show what its like.

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_3814.html

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_3831.html

[Black Viper]

Instead of dual booting I use a hard drive caddy, its a trayless one and SATA.

Many that dual boot also use a raid configuration... well, at least I do.
My old job used removable hard drives and they worked real well.

[ChiefZeke]

While the caddy and/or removable drive is an option I figured not to go that way. With plenty of room in a full-tower case and 11 drive bays why bother?

Everything, for now, is working fine with multi-boot to four operating systems. When Win7 final gets here then I'll just spend a week or so 'upgraing'.