Need help installing Windows 7 Windows 8 for dual boot

Hi everyone!

I was hoping to install both Windows 7 and Windows 8 as a dual boot system.

I tried to install both Windows 7 and Windows 8 according to some instructions I received from another site and can't seem to get it to work. Not sure what I am doing wrong.

Here is what I did:

Installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, did all the updates, etc. and used it for 3 weeks.

Decided to install Windows 8 Professional 64-bit tonight for a dual boot.

Here is how I proceeded:

I unplugged my Windows 7 SSD [power and data cable].

I plugged in a new and separate SSD for Windows 8.

Did the Gparted on the new SSD.

Installed Windows 8 Pro on the new SSD. Did all the updates, then everything worked fine.

Next, I plugged in my Windows 7 SSD, so BOTH SSD's are not plugged in.

When I switch the BIOS to the Windows 7 SSD, all is good...Windows 7 works fine.

When I switch the BIOS to the Windows 8 SSD, I only see a black screen with a blinking white dash...nothing else.

Gosh, what did I do wrong here? What should I do differently?

Is it even possible to dual boot using two separate SDD's [Win 7 on one SSD, Win 8 on the other SSD]?

I did notice in Administration tools, Computer Management, Storage, Disk Management this interesting fact:

Windows 7 SSD says this: SYSTEM, BOOT, PAGE FILE, ETC.
Windows 8 SSD says this: HEALTHY, PRIMARY PARTITION

I am wondering if the problem is there.

Thanks,

Soar

Welcome to EightForums, Soar.

You put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning.....

In all seriousness, are these internal or external HHDs? I'm wondering why you're plugging and unplugging.

Both legal full copies and fresh installs?

HippsieGypsie said:

Welcome to EightForums, Soar.

You put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning.....

In all seriousness, are these internal or external HHDs? I'm wondering why you're plugging and unplugging.

Both legal full copies and fresh installs?

Click to expand...

LOL!

Well, remember, there is another line to that song...

Put the lime in the coconut and mix it all up, put the lime in the coconut and mix it all together....[depending upon what version you heard]...

And that is exactly what I am trying to do...yes, mix da lime [Windows 7] with da cocoanut [Windows 8], but unfortunately, now I am all mixed up!

And I also have a belly ache...

She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up
She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up,
And said, "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?
I say, Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?"
"Now let me get this straight ",
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up

But again, the Windows 7 Lime doesn't appear to mix so well with the Windows 8 coconut, and now I got da belly ache.

Ok, please let me answer your questions Dr. HippsieGypsie.

Yes, both hard drives are internal...but they are not HDD's they are identical Intel Cherryville 520's 180GB.

My copy of Windows 7 is 100% legit...I received it literally from a Microsoft employee, immediately after attending a Microsoft Conference in the Bay Area some years ago.

Windows 8 Professional I just received from Microsoft's Dream Spark site.

Special Note: I have had this copy of Windows 7 on this rig for about 4 weeks [used it for two years, then did a re-install last month] and it has worked purrrrfect. Microsoft never gives me problems on these Microsoft discs which they hand delivered to me at each conference.

The Windows 8 Professional I just installed last night. The disc is an ISO that Microsoft told me to burn from the Dreamspark download. Windows 8 worked perfect for a few hours [but remember, I had disconnected the Windows 7 SSD]. I also did about 550MB of Windows 8 updates when the system prompted me.

When I plugged in Windows 7 SSD, the Windows 8 would no longer load. I only see a black screen with a flashing white dash.

I also went into the UEFI and switched the boot order to the Windows 8 SSD, but still no go.

I did notice in Administration tools, Computer Management, Storage, Disk Management this interesting fact:

Windows 7 SSD says this: SYSTEM, BOOT, PAGE FILE, ETC.
Windows 8 SSD says this: HEALTHY, PRIMARY PARTITION

I am wondering if the problem is there.

Dr. HypsieGypsie, I was hoping I could have Win 7 on one SSD, Win 8 on another SSD.

Is it possible or are we talking continual belly ache when trying to mix em's like this?

Soar

PS After reading your post, I listened to the Coconut song by Harry Nilsson and it brought back some good memories...I use to listed to that song in the 70's driving in my 1965 baby blue Comet, in what is now known as Silicon Valley. I won't say what we were smokin' back then as we listened and laughed at the lyrics....

Try Cleaning the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums
Than type> convent gpt
& than Reboot PC to install.


The ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 has a uEFI BIOs:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html