Solved Dual boot - 2 x SSDs both W8 - 1 x Video / 1 x Music (DAW)

samhayman

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Hi Guys,

I have a computer on which I compose music and would like to install video editing software on it.

I don't want the video installation to mess the audio side of my setup so I would like to do the following: -

Install Windows 8.1 Pro on 2 separate 256Gb SSD drives. Thus:

SSD1 would have W8 plus all that is music / audio related.
SSD2 would have W8 plus all that is video editing related.

They need to be completely separate from each other, so ideally I would have the option to choose which drive I would want to boot from during start-up.

Could you please be kind enough to tell me if it's possible / if it makes sense or if there's a better solution - other than buying another computer? :)

Thank you so much for your help!
Sam
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    18Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Firepro (FireGL) V3700
    Sound Card
    RME Babyface
In which way do you think software would interfere with each other ? Any special drivers that are needed for each set of SW ?
Yes you can dual boot with same system but you will probably have to buy 2 windows. If you still want to dual boot like that, it would be wise to do it on each disk separately and only after connect both. Than you can have a choice to boot thru BIOS or by using Easy BCD make a many on the first one with which to choose. Other possibilities, have one windows, two accounts or one windows with other in the Virtual machine in the first one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
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CountMike sorry but have to disagree re windows. Nothing wrong with putting the same version on twice as it is licensed for one machine. and it does not matter how many times it is installed it can only be run one at a time from same machine. This is how I operate my machine and use the second install as a backup.

samhayman I do not see anything wrong with your plan. As has already been said audio and video software should not conflict so entirely up to you.

Unless you have won the lottery or have a kind benefactor I would suggest that you also use a fast HDD to hold the data from both SSD as it can be a combined data store which is easy to backup and also give you more space on your SSD for programs and working space

Go for it

Keith
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bt
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Aspire
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    Sempron 2.8
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    Asrock
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    4GB
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    Intel
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    Realtek
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    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    2 x ide
    1 x sata
    Internet Speed
    Up to 24 :)
CountMike sorry but have to disagree re windows. Nothing wrong with putting the same version on twice as it is licensed for one machine. and it does not matter how many times it is installed it can only be run one at a time from same machine. This is how I operate my machine and use the second install as a backup.

samhayman I do not see anything wrong with your plan. As has already been said audio and video software should not conflict so entirely up to you.

Unless you have won the lottery or have a kind benefactor I would suggest that you also use a fast HDD to hold the data from both SSD as it can be a combined data store which is easy to backup and also give you more space on your SSD for programs and working space

Go for it

Keith

Sorry but you are wrong about this. If you install it twice, you need two licenses. Check the EULA. A drive or partition is considered a computer and only one installation is allowed per license.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
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    Custom System
    CPU
    INTEL Xeon E5-2670 LGA 2011
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    Gigabyte GA X79 UD5 v1.0 F13s
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    64GB (8 X 8 GB) G-Skill Ripjaws Z DDR3 2133 Quad Channel
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    EVGA GTX 1060 SC 3 GB
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    Realtek Onboard ALC898
    Monitor(s) Displays
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    1 x 6TB WD 6003FZBX SATA
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    Seasonic X-1050
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
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    Intel I-7 860
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    Asus P7B
    Memory
    8GB
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    Nvidia 580
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    Acer (Primary), Asus (secondary), Sony TV (third)
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I have two installs side by side, the only thing I had to do was activate the 2nd one by phone. When the prompt asks you "how many machines are you installing this version of Windows on" just say one and you're good to go.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies.

The reason I want to separate video-editing stuff from music-composition stuff, is because every major reliable website highly suggests that a machine used as a DAW should have only that software installed on it (and obviously an OS and plugins etc, but nothing else).

And for eg, the internet should be disconnected and not have an anti-virus running, OS updates turned off, so on and so forth.

So in view of all this I want to make 100% sure that I'm not messing up with the DAW hard-drive in any way whatsoever.

I know that for you guys this might sound like over-the-top fixation or even downright stupid, but I know very little about computers except using software, so if anything gets messed up I'm in trouble :)

Yes I do my backups and archiving etc, but my schedule doesn't allow me much time to stay messing up and fixing problems.

Thank you once again for your kind help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    18Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Firepro (FireGL) V3700
    Sound Card
    RME Babyface
Hi there

Actually if it's on IDENTICAL hardware it should work -- Windows is licensed PER MACHINE if you read the "blurb" carefully). Installing on TWO SSD's is identical to re-installing windows on to a new HDD -- nobody on this planet (or any other one) has told me that you can't install windows on a new HDD if you want to.

You obviously can't run these at the same time.

A Virtual Machine counts as a DIFFERENT machine so if you go the virtual route you'd need a separate Windows license. Running though on the same PHYSICAL machine with identical hardware would only need ONE activation.

Install your ist copy of windows to your SSD and activate it BEFORE installing your software. Now with ACRONIS / other imaging program backup the image and restore it to second SSD. Now you should have TWO activated copies of windows.

Boot SSD nr 1 - install your software.

Boot SSD nr 2 install your other software.

Job done !!!

Note - use the BIOS boot menu to choose which SSD you boot when starting the machine. - Don't bother with things like Easybcd etc -- keep it SIMPLE.

Remember though when taking backups to note carefully which backup goes with what SSD. !!!!

If using UEFI then it's OK too -- simply use the boot menu when starting to boot to the relevant HDD/SSD.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi there

Actually if it's on IDENTICAL hardware it should work -- Windows is licensed PER MACHINE if you read the "blurb" carefully). Installing on TWO SSD's is identical to re-installing windows on to a new HDD -- nobody on this planet (or any other one) has told me that you can't install windows on a new HDD if you want to.


Cheers
jimbo

Thank goodness for that as I have been doing that for a number of years I was expecting a knock on the door by the "Microsoft Police" and some serious jail time as I would not :dinesh:- could not pay :cry:

Keith
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bt
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Aspire
    CPU
    Sempron 2.8
    Motherboard
    Asrock
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    2 x ide
    1 x sata
    Internet Speed
    Up to 24 :)
Hi there

Actually if it's on IDENTICAL hardware it should work -- Windows is licensed PER MACHINE if you read the "blurb" carefully). Installing on TWO SSD's is identical to re-installing windows on to a new HDD -- nobody on this planet (or any other one) has told me that you can't install windows on a new HDD if you want to.


Cheers
jimbo

Thank goodness for that as I have been doing that for a number of years I was expecting a knock on the door by the "Microsoft Police" and some serious jail time as I would not :dinesh:- could not pay :cry:

Keith

Hi there.

I have the same probs with the possibility of the "TV Licensing" Gestapo knocking at my door when I'm in the UK.

I don't have to PROVE I'm innocent - it's their job to prove me GUILTY. - however actually without Police attendance only the Postman and people asking for directions have a right to be on your property - you can eject anyone else as TRESPASSERS !! including non High Court Bailiff's and other nasty thuggy undesirable individuals.

You can sleep easily in your bed now. !!!

English Case law reference :

Armstrong v Sheppard & Short Ltd [1959]
2 QB 384. per Lord Evershed M.R.).

(Takes a Bolshie foreigner like me to find out the Law. !!!!)

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Decided not to comment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom System
    CPU
    INTEL Xeon E5-2670 LGA 2011
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA X79 UD5 v1.0 F13s
    Memory
    64GB (8 X 8 GB) G-Skill Ripjaws Z DDR3 2133 Quad Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 1060 SC 3 GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek Onboard ALC898
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung S27E310
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 PRO 256 GB SSD
    1 x 6TB WD 6003FZBX SATA
    13 x 3TB WD 30EFRX SATA
    PSU
    Seasonic X-1050
    Case
    Thermaltake Armor+
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    INTEL BXRTS2011LC Liquid-cooled
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    Logitech G510s
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    7.0 Mb/s
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Doing something and getting away with it doesn't make it right.

That's all I have to say.

Hi there


Its 100% LEGAL -- you can install windows AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE on an individual machine. The user isn't running Windows on multiple machines.

Your logic would say that changing a HDD on a system means you have to have a NEW copy of Windows --which is absolute BS.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Again, read the EULA, that is all I can say.
Changing a Hard drive is totally different.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom System
    CPU
    INTEL Xeon E5-2670 LGA 2011
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA X79 UD5 v1.0 F13s
    Memory
    64GB (8 X 8 GB) G-Skill Ripjaws Z DDR3 2133 Quad Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 1060 SC 3 GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek Onboard ALC898
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung S27E310
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 PRO 256 GB SSD
    1 x 6TB WD 6003FZBX SATA
    13 x 3TB WD 30EFRX SATA
    PSU
    Seasonic X-1050
    Case
    Thermaltake Armor+
    Cooling
    INTEL BXRTS2011LC Liquid-cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510s
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7.0 Mb/s
    Browser
    IE 11, Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET NOD32 11.1, Malwarebytes Pro 3.5.1
    Other Info
    ASUS RT-AC68U router
Can't understand all that legalese mumbo-jumbo in EULA but does it say one physical machine or one instance of windows itself. ? Or is it one or more BIOS codes.?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Again, read the EULA, that is all I can say.
Changing a Hard drive is totally different.

Hi there.

I'm not going to let this go as it's important.

Installing Windows to SSD 1 and SSD 2 IS a change of HDD -- the two disks are different even if the geometry of the HDD's is the same.

There's totally NO difference to opening your machine and swapping the HDD's each time you want to use a different HDD. The fact that you can "Swap" the HDD's without physically having to OPEN the computer makes no difference. There are NOT two instances of Windows running concurrently.


A program / application is deemed as having been installed if it runs in the booted up session. You can't run the second copy of windows without re-booting the machine. You can't run Windows from SSD 2 while SSD1 is running the OS. It's just like copying Windows to a new HDD -- perfectly allowable and then fitting / booting that HDD.

If this was illegal then everybody changing HDD's would be running illegal versions of windows --which is OBVIOUSLY total B/S.

Any COURT on the planet would entirely agree with me here.

(Virtual Machines are another issue entirely).

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
So, OEM windows are tied to BIOS, right. ? You can install afresh as many times as you want as long as it is on the same BIOS, right ?
So in this case you are repeating installation twice, to the same machine, you can use each installation only one at the time, right.?
Now, what about non OEM windows, what is their installation tied to ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Again, read the EULA, that is all I can say.
Changing a Hard drive is totally different.

Hi there.

I'm not going to let this go as it's important.

Installing Windows to SSD 1 and SSD 2 IS a change of HDD -- the two disks are different even if the geometry of the HDD's is the same.

There's totally NO difference to opening your machine and swapping the HDD's each time you want to use a different HDD. The fact that you can "Swap" the HDD's without physically having to OPEN the computer makes no difference. There are NOT two instances of Windows running concurrently.


A program / application is deemed as having been installed if it runs in the booted up session. You can't run the second copy of windows without re-booting the machine. You can't run Windows from SSD 2 while SSD1 is running the OS. It's just like copying Windows to a new HDD -- perfectly allowable and then fitting / booting that HDD.

If this was illegal then everybody changing HDD's would be running illegal versions of windows --which is OBVIOUSLY total B/S.

Any COURT on the planet would entirely agree with me here.

(Virtual Machines are another issue entirely).

Cheers
jimbo

If both hard drives are installed in the same machine at the same time, and both have Windows installed, they must have two licenses. You may disagree but that is the EULA.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom System
    CPU
    INTEL Xeon E5-2670 LGA 2011
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA X79 UD5 v1.0 F13s
    Memory
    64GB (8 X 8 GB) G-Skill Ripjaws Z DDR3 2133 Quad Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 1060 SC 3 GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek Onboard ALC898
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung S27E310
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 PRO 256 GB SSD
    1 x 6TB WD 6003FZBX SATA
    13 x 3TB WD 30EFRX SATA
    PSU
    Seasonic X-1050
    Case
    Thermaltake Armor+
    Cooling
    INTEL BXRTS2011LC Liquid-cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510s
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7.0 Mb/s
    Browser
    IE 11, Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET NOD32 11.1, Malwarebytes Pro 3.5.1
    Other Info
    ASUS RT-AC68U router
Again, read the EULA, that is all I can say.
Changing a Hard drive is totally different.

Hi there.

I'm not going to let this go as it's important.

Installing Windows to SSD 1 and SSD 2 IS a change of HDD -- the two disks are different even if the geometry of the HDD's is the same.

There's totally NO difference to opening your machine and swapping the HDD's each time you want to use a different HDD. The fact that you can "Swap" the HDD's without physically having to OPEN the computer makes no difference. There are NOT two instances of Windows running concurrently.


A program / application is deemed as having been installed if it runs in the booted up session. You can't run the second copy of windows without re-booting the machine. You can't run Windows from SSD 2 while SSD1 is running the OS. It's just like copying Windows to a new HDD -- perfectly allowable and then fitting / booting that HDD.

If this was illegal then everybody changing HDD's would be running illegal versions of windows --which is OBVIOUSLY total B/S.

Any COURT on the planet would entirely agree with me here.

(Virtual Machines are another issue entirely).

Cheers
jimbo

If both hard drives are installed in the same machine at the same time, and both have Windows installed, they must have two licenses. You may disagree but that is the EULA.

Some quotation of that part of EULA i needed now I think. (and maybe an attorney in corporate law ).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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