Solved Dual boot with 8.1

[cfourkays]

I have my Lenovo Z570 laptop working nicely with W7-SP1 (OEM) and W8 (VHD) (Thanks, Shaun)
We know I can't upgrade to W-8.1. "You can't install Windows 8.1 on a virtual drive."

Can I clean install the 8, then the 8.1 (licensed copy) and then use a Windows 7 refresh I made to dual boot?
Reversing the OS's in your excellent instructions?

Pete

 

[adamf]

You can run 8.1 in VHD - you just cant upgrade 8 to 8.1 so you could clean install 8.1 if you wanted to.

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso-56.html

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html

 

[cfourkays]

I'm not giving up

Hey now,
I've got the 8.1 iso and have the generic product key that gets me to the "Accept" screen.
From there its been downhill.
First I tried the method in Brink's dual boot method with 7 and 8, creating the vhd.
I substituted the 8.1 iso in place of the licensed 8 that I have.
I get as far as accepting the license the "Where do you want to install"
I highlight "Drive 1 Unallocated Space" 62.5GB
Even though "Next" is highlighted, I get the following message:
"We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more info, see setup logs.

This is the same setup that I was able to install Windows 8.
Any thoughts?

Pete

 

[whs]

"You can't install Windows 8.1 on a virtual drive."

How come - I run 8.1 under VMware Player.

 

[cfourkays]

Is there a free version?
Pete

 

[whs]

VMware Player is free. Download VMware Player 6.0.1 - FileHippo.com

 

[cfourkays]

VMware works with 8.1

Holy bird-turds, Batman.
I downloaded the VMware from their site.
I had the 8.1 iso in my drive.
installed and in the setup, was telling me all sorts of weird stuff, like supports VT-x but VT-x is not supported, something about Binary translation, configured for 64 bit but 64 bit doesn't have permission, etc., etc.

Hey, I'm a tech, not a programmer.

Looked at my Bios settings, which are very minimal, and changed the "Intel Virtual Technology" from disabled to enabled.
Started up the VMware and it practically installed the 8.1 by itself.
I used the generic product key for the 8.1 Pro and had no problem.

One problem is that I can't activate it, with my original Windows 8 license.
I'll have to work on that.

Pete

 

[whs]

Looks like you are making progress. If you have a legal 8 key, it should activate 8.1. Else call Microsoft.

 

[cfourkays]

VMWare install 8.1

Thanks for your help.
Went through the numbers game and all set.
Pete