I am setting up a new system for client. I would like to add Win 7 in a dual boot so client can test drive Win 8 while still having Win 7 Enterprise 64-bit as a fallback. My personal system is a triple boot Win XP, Vista and 7 system but I have no experience with Win 8 yet.
Target System Configuration:
Dell XPS 8500 with Win 8 64-bit pre-installed on 1TB HDD.
Am adding a 120GB SSD (Kingston HyperX)
I will shrink the 1TB Win 8 partition, create a "User Data" partition and move all user folders to the User Data partition (docs, pics, Outlook data folder, etc, etc)
1) Can I setup a manually switched OS boot using BIOS setting by
a) Installing the SSD
b) Disconnecting the 1TB Win 8 drive
c) Boot Win 7 Installation CD and Install Win 7 and apps ON THE SSD
d) Reconnect the 1TB HDD
e) "Move" the Win7 User Data folders so they point to the User Data partition
Choosing which OS would be done via entering BIOS and changing boot device order.
OR.......
2) If I leave the 1TB Win 8 HDD connected....
a) Boot Win 7 Installation CD and Install Win 7 and apps ON THE SSD
b) "Move" the Win7 User Data folders so they point to the User Data partition
Will I get the Win7 boot option screen? In other words will the Win 7 install recognize the Win 8 OS partition exists?
If not can I use EasyBCD to manually modify the boot option to see/recognize both OSes?
Any ideas will be appreciated....
Target System Configuration:
Dell XPS 8500 with Win 8 64-bit pre-installed on 1TB HDD.
Am adding a 120GB SSD (Kingston HyperX)
I will shrink the 1TB Win 8 partition, create a "User Data" partition and move all user folders to the User Data partition (docs, pics, Outlook data folder, etc, etc)
1) Can I setup a manually switched OS boot using BIOS setting by
a) Installing the SSD
b) Disconnecting the 1TB Win 8 drive
c) Boot Win 7 Installation CD and Install Win 7 and apps ON THE SSD
d) Reconnect the 1TB HDD
e) "Move" the Win7 User Data folders so they point to the User Data partition
Choosing which OS would be done via entering BIOS and changing boot device order.
OR.......
2) If I leave the 1TB Win 8 HDD connected....
a) Boot Win 7 Installation CD and Install Win 7 and apps ON THE SSD
b) "Move" the Win7 User Data folders so they point to the User Data partition
Will I get the Win7 boot option screen? In other words will the Win 7 install recognize the Win 8 OS partition exists?
If not can I use EasyBCD to manually modify the boot option to see/recognize both OSes?
Any ideas will be appreciated....