Solved Dual boot from existing Win8 on same disk

Hi,

I just received an Asus Zenbook with 8 preinstalled.

It was configured with static IP and my office configuration, I would like to split the existing partition, create a new primary partition and clone the Win 8 installation in the new one.

Then set up a dual boot configuration, so I can have a clean "office config" and an "home config" with the same licenses and software in which I can mess with the configuration and setup my home stuff (DLNA server, access to home headless server, software to flash android handset, ecc).

I did that with WinXp a couple of years ago and everything was working ok using Easus, but I am out of the scene since then and I wouldn't like to miss some steps.

I tried to google it but I found a lot of not relevant results...

Is there anyone that can help me with that?

Thanks

Sergio

Welcome to EightForums.

You need to buy a licence for Windows 8 or 8Pro & two licence for Office 2013.

Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:

Purchasing a full version of Windows 8


If you want to build your own PC and install Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or want an additional operating system running in either a local virtual machine or separate partition (including a Mac), you can purchase the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro System Builder products (OEM versions). If available in your country or region, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder products can be purchased at participating stores, you'll need to ask a sales rep for more info. This version doesn't include customer support.

Click to expand...

Than follow this tutorial: (installing in uEFI mode.)
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html
Using two Windows 8's.


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html

Hello,

I have bought windows Pro to do as suggested but I still can't install a side copy of Windows 8 along my existing Win8 partition.

I receive the message "partition is of the gpt style" and I can't proceed.

This is my config.



From reading around it seems I have to delete all the partitions and start from scratch but I don't want to do that because the existing first primary partitions contains software for my job and I can't re-install it.

How can I proceed?

Thanks!

theog said:

Welcome to EightForums.

You need to buy a licence for Windows 8 or 8Pro & two licence for Office 2013.

Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:

Purchasing a full version of Windows 8


If you want to build your own PC and install Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or want an additional operating system running in either a local virtual machine or separate partition (including a Mac), you can purchase the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro System Builder products (OEM versions). If available in your country or region, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder products can be purchased at participating stores, you'll need to ask a sales rep for more info. This version doesn't include customer support.

Click to expand...

Than follow this tutorial: (installing in uEFI mode.)
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html
Using two Windows 8's.


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html

Click to expand...

Did you create partition D? Is that where you are trying to install you new copy of Win8?

I found D already existing. I tried to delete it and install Win8 on it but no joy.

Currently it hosts a VirtualBox with the Win8 i purchased but this is not meeting my goals, because it is not performant and I ma facing several limitations on USB peripherals it can handle (my garmin forerunner 305 for instance...)

I can delete D and use it with no issue.

Thanks!

What are you doing when you receive the message "partition is of the gpt style?"

I receive the message "partition is of the gpt style" and I can't proceed.

Click to expand...

You are not booting the Windows 8x64 DVD in UEFI mode or Booting x32.

znod said:

What are you doing when you receive the message "partition is of the gpt style?"

Click to expand...

I booted from Win8Disk and select the D partition to install in advanced mode

theog said:

I receive the message "partition is of the gpt style" and I can't proceed.

Click to expand...

You are not booting the Windows 8x64 DVD in UEFI mode or Booting x32.

View attachment 18017

Click to expand...

I will try again but I did all the test in UEFI not UEFI mode

theog said:

I receive the message "partition is of the gpt style" and I can't proceed.

Click to expand...

You are not booting the Windows 8x64 DVD in UEFI mode or Booting x32.

View attachment 18017

I will try again but I did all the test in UEFI not UEFI mode

Click to expand...

Ok, the solution was to copy the dvd content to an USB key and UEFI boot from this.

I don't know why but my zenbook didn't allow to UEFI boot from my external USB dvd reader.

I still received a warning about the fact that partition order was not ideal but I continued and I am now writing this from my second Win8 installation.

Thanks to all!

You are very welcome. Good luck.