Two HDD's, Two Different OS's

Not sure if this is the right forum or thread but here it goes. I have recently installed a second HDD into my PC and I am wondering if I can install an OS on the second HDD and be able to choose between the two like I would if I was dual booting on the Same HDD.

EDIT: Some additional information and questions.

1) The two operating systems are Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.
2) I heard something about installing the older OS first before the new OS, (This is not a an option)
3) Windows 8.1 is my current OS
4) I am seeing some mixed ways of doing this. People are saying have two blank HDD's and unplug one of them and proceed to install an OS on the first HDD. Then unplug the newly installed windows HDD and plugin the secondary blank HDD and install the second OS. And then plug them both back in and reboot.

EDIT #2: Is this as simple as it gets?:

How to Dual Boot With Two Hard Drives | Tech Channel - RadioShack

I would not use a guide that makes no mention of UEFI or GPT. The guide may be valid for OS that use the MBR scheme. But if it doesn't even mention GPT chances are it was written before Windows 8 was released.

Hi Colin. Option 4 worked for me but with an older legacy bios/architecure. Windows XP on one HDD and 8.1.1 on the other. Booting is done via one of the F keys (can't remember if its F10,F11 or F12 - old age I'm afraid). Can't comment on newer systems though (as per MilesAhead)[h=1][/h]

Your best bet is to make 2 completely independent installations. Disconnect your current OS disk whilst installing the other OS on the other disk. Then switch from one OS to the other with the temporary boot sequence (F12 or ESC at power-on). That kind of setup gives you the least grief.

whs said:

Your best bet is to make 2 completely independent installations. Disconnect your current OS disk whilst installing the other OS on the other disk. Then switch from one OS to the other with the temporary boot sequence (F12 or ESC at power-on). That kind of setup gives you the least grief.

Click to expand...

+1
Your best bet to have 2 separate systems without mixing their BOOT sectors. I would only add that while installing system on one disk you disconnect the other one temporarily, than they are really separate. You can even hide one disk from the other.