Will This Setup Work?

On one of my computers I have a 120 gig SSD with Win 7 and programs installed. There's also a 500 gig mechanical drive for data. I'm thinking of sticking another mechanical drive in there just for Win 8.1 and dual boot. Will this work ok? What will happen to the boot files? Will they stay with the Win 7 on the SSD or move to the Win 8 drive?
Thanks for your response,
Jim

It is best to use separate drives. See this thread. Be sure to read Brink's responses to questions:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html

Since you are planning on installing Windows 8 to a separate hard drive, have you considered a mobile rack system? This will eliminate any dual boot issues. I have been using this solution for years and it works very well. I have both Windows 7 and 8 on separate drives that I simply swap out, plus they can share a common internal (3rd) hard drive for backups or storage. Just make sure Windows 8 fast boot feature is turned off for error-free access to the internal drive with both systems. Just a thought.

Those mobile racks are cool - thanks for the info. I did not know such a thing existed. I see how that type of setup could work very well.
Jim

otisdog said:

Those mobile racks are cool - thanks for the info. I did not know such a thing existed. I see how that type of setup could work very well.
Jim

Click to expand...

I wish I had that setup when I had desktop PCs. A friend on another forum makes regular Macrium images and restores them to a drive in a docking station. Then puts the drive in a drawer. If he has a HD crash he swaps the drives and powers up. Recovery is like a matter of minutes. The drives are identical so there's no settings or driver issues.

You are welcome. Since you want to use both an SSD and mechanical drive, you'll need to do a little research on this to make sure the system is compatible with both types. Cheers.

otisdog said:

On one of my computers I have a 120 gig SSD with Win 7 and programs installed. There's also a 500 gig mechanical drive for data. I'm thinking of sticking another mechanical drive in there just for Win 8.1 and dual boot. Will this work ok? What will happen to the boot files? Will they stay with the Win 7 on the SSD or move to the Win 8 drive?
Thanks for your response,
Jim

Click to expand...

My experience with this set up, was that Windows 8 gets the priority boot but comes to a page where you choose whether to boot to Win 8 or Win 7, This is the correct way to leave the boot set up. The Win 7 Dual boot screen is more clicks and more hassles. I think I would spring for a SSD to put the Win 8.11 on. Assuming your setting this up to familiarize your self with Win 8 you'll want both systems at their fastest. I eventually went back to Win 7 as I have software that did not play well with win 8 on that particular Mother board. I might try it again since 8.11 is out.

Thanks all.
Jim