New Win8 laptop arriving, wish to Dual Boot with Seven

[gregrocker]

Hi all -

This laptop Asus KSeries 15.6" Laptop 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive K55A-SI50301P - Best Buy
arrives here tomorrow.

Need Win8 knowledgeable advice on how to keep the Factory Preinstalled Win8 in place, shrink C to install Win7 to road test them side by side.

The reason I'd like to keep the factory install onboard is because I want the option of returning it to Best Buy in 15 days for a full refund.

If it's not possible to Dual Boot in this way, I guess I could generate the Recovery Disks, wipe the HD to reinstall Win7 in UEFI or Legacy mode, then install Win8 to Dual Boot the way I've done before.

However it's compelling to leave the Win8 preinstall because I'm assured the Asus is optimized for Win8, and want to give it a chance to show its stuff with this supposed optimization. Do you agree that such optimization offers better performance if the factory preinstall is left onboard? If so I should probably run just that for a few days at least to have something to compare if/when I reinstall the Dual Boot. Later running Recovery disks could recoup it to the way it came, no doubt?

Another consideration is that with 4gb RAM I'd also like to test both 64- and 32-bit Win7 to judge better whether I want the RAM upgrade afterwards.

Now that you (hopefully) have a better idea of what I'd like to do in the 15-day trial period road testing this laptop with Win8 and Win7 ideally dual-booted, and Win7 in both 32- and 64-bit, can you suggest the best way to go about it to touch all bases yet still have it recoverable to exact factory condition in case I decide to package it up and take it back for full refund?

Thanks for the assist.

 

[mdmd]

Hello Greg. I think you are already quite knowledgeable and experienced.
A side by side comparison, IMO, will not yield much if one does not like the metro UI.

IMO, Windows 8 is about immersive apps and a metro / desktop edge UI multitasking environment. IMO, Windows 8 can be configured to emulate a purely desktop OS, but that will require an interest in ignoring the start screen, apps area, the edges, charms, and immersive applications.

Windows 8 is a purely desktop OS if you choose to use it that way. However, the metro UI start menu (so to speak), (start screen and apps area, etc...) is immersive, and as you are quite aware, lots of folks don't like it!

Do you agree that such optimization offers better performance if the factory preinstall is left onboard?

I doubt that such optimization (with a dual boot configuration) will offer better performance over a clean single boot installation. Best of Luck with the new Asus.

The reason I'd like to keep the factory install onboard is because I want the option of returning it to Best Buy in 15 days for a full refund.

can you suggest the best way to go about it to touch all bases yet still have it recoverable to exact factory condition in case I decide to package it up and take it back for full refund?

I would definitely image the factory installation to an external drive first, so that any testing does not interfere with a restore of the factory image. Once you have that (factory image on an external drive), you are free to experiment with any dual boot configuration.

 

[Lee]

Here is a little suggestion. . .use a VM. Either VMware (not free), or Virtual Box (free). That way you can run them at the same time, and using networking you can use Explorer (file manager) and the internet together. . .Good Luck either way.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks to both of you. I will try VM to see how it performs with Win7 64 bit.

I want to keep Win8 to have an open mind about Metro on a Win8 PC which advertises it's optimized for Win8, instead of the Dual Boots with 8 I've had on my Win7 machines in which Metro lost me within days. It may happen again that way but I want to at least try it with an open mind. If I continue to find no use for Metro I'll add a Start button to see how just the desktop compares to Win7. In the past I liked Win7 better. But those were not Win8 machines.

So I guess I have a technical question about if there is any possible way to Dual Boot the factory-preinstalled Win8 with Win7 being added to a new partition on the HD. I find no way in the tutorials and literature to do this. Even if I turn off Secure Boot I am not aware how Win7 can be installed second in UEFI mode to Win8. Is this even possible?

If not I may not have a choice but to make Recovery media, back up an image of the HD, and reinstall 7 followed by 8 with Legacy BIOS since I want the option to try 32 bit Win7 on the PC.

Will there be any hitches with the image being reapplied if I turn back on Secure Boot and UEFI?

Other suggestions welcomed :thumb:

 

[Lee]

Not really sure about Secure Boot allowing you to install an imagine; have not tried that myself. I did have to turn it off to use a dual boot between 8 and 7. One reason for me to go back to the original OEM install was to be able to use 8 and 7 at the same time by using a VM. Now I use both running on two separate screens with a third screen acting as second screen for win 8. Now with my laptop I have both setup the same way except with one screen (16 gigs of ram helps).

 

[whs]

Greg, I run Windows 8 in VMware Player on a Windows 7 host. Runs great - both from the internal disk (SSD or spinner) as well as from the external SSD (USB3 attached). That is completely painless. You can move the VMware folder around and open it from wherever you put the folder. Only my really fast USB3 stick did not work very well.

 

[mdmd]

Greg, I run Windows 8 in VMware Player on a Windows 7 host.

I think, I may be mistaken, he wants to do the reverse. Windows 7 on a Windows 8 host.
Anybody running Windows 7 virtualization in a Windows 8 environment?

Anyone with a Windows 8 system installed Windows 7 as a dual boot second system with secure boot and UEFI?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, DoctorDoctor, you've got it!

Wolfgang and Lee, it's tempting and I will try it, but the exercise is about Installation which is my first interest with Windows.

If I could get an exact impression of running Win7 on the VM it might be enough, but then I'd still lose the experience of installing the Dual Boot, especially working in UEFI and Legacy.

I would rather install in the various configs I mention if I can get a battle plan organized since I need more hands-on experience with Win8, Secure Boot and UEFI as much as I need a new laptop. Come to think of it, I don't even need a new laptop.

So ideally I'd like to install Win7 in a Dual Boot to Win8 factory preinstall if it can be done at all. If not I'd settle for installing the Dual boot 7/8 in Legacy Mode so I can compare 32/64 bit in both OS's with the 4gb RAM it ships with.

And I'd like to keep the option to restore it all and take it back in 2 weeks if I decide on that, too. For that reason besides making the Recovery disks, I'll also back up the whole HD using new EaseUS Todo Backup Workstation (v5.8) Giveaway - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[whs]

Ah, I see, you want to go the tough route.

 

[gregrocker]

Yeah, it kinda comes with the job...

 

[Lee]

Yeah, it kinda comes with the job...

. . .understood, you are looking to gain some new experience with UEFI and Win 8. . .Good luck and it is good to see you posting; just remembering the old days (yeah old) other on the Seven Forums, oh sorry whs you too. . .

Darn, just notice I have surpassed the 500 mark (will have to take a brake just posting to much). . .

 

[pparks1]

Hi all -

This laptop Asus KSeries 15.6" Laptop 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive K55A-SI50301P - Best Buy
arrives here tomorrow.

Need Win8 knowledgeable advice on how to keep the Factory Preinstalled Win8 in place, shrink C to install Win7 to road test them side by side.

The reason I'd like to keep the factory install onboard is because I want the option of returning it to Best Buy in 15 days for a full refund.

If it's not possible to Dual Boot in this way, I guess I could generate the Recovery Disks, wipe the HD to reinstall Win7 in UEFI or Legacy mode, then install Win8 to Dual Boot the way I've done before.

However it's compelling to leave the Win8 preinstall because I'm assured the Asus is optimized for Win8, and want to give it a chance to show its stuff with this supposed optimization. Do you agree that such optimization offers better performance if the factory preinstall is left onboard? If so I should probably run just that for a few days at least to have something to compare if/when I reinstall the Dual Boot. Later running Recovery disks could recoup it to the way it came, no doubt?

Another consideration is that with 4gb RAM I'd also like to test both 64- and 32-bit Win7 to judge better whether I want the RAM upgrade afterwards.

Now that you (hopefully) have a better idea of what I'd like to do in the 15-day trial period road testing this laptop with Win8 and Win7 ideally dual-booted, and Win7 in both 32- and 64-bit, can you suggest the best way to go about it to touch all bases yet still have it recoverable to exact factory condition in case I decide to package it up and take it back for full refund?

Thanks for the assist.

Image the hard drive with a software that will work with 8, uefi and secure boot. I know paragon works, as that is what I bought and use.

I've not seen any advantage to the standard load on a Dell, Acer or HP. Formatting and reinstalling on my own has always provided me with a leaner and better performing system.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad to see you active again, Lee.

 

[theog]

If you have the UEFI/BIOS options, yes you can dual boot in UEFI mode.

 

[gregrocker]

Ray will I be able to shrink C to install Win7 in UEFI mode and it will configure Dual Boot with preinstalled Win8?

Will I need to reformat my flash stick installer and make the mods shown in UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows only?

Do I need to make any changes in BIOS besides disabling Secure Boot?

Later, when I test 32 bit must I wipe the HD to change to Legacy Mode required for 32 bit or can the factory-preinstall remain inert on the HD?

What is the most stable method to save the Recovery media on new Asus'? In addition I'd like to back up the entire HD using [Windows] Free EaseUS Todo Backup Workstation (v5.8) -- supports restore to dissimilar hardware! [dotTech Exclusive, 72-hours only] | Reviews, news, tips, and tricks | dotTech which says its compatible with Win8. What do you think of that? Will the two backup methods assure I can get back to factory condition if I decide to return PC?

Thanks.

 

[OldMX]

I'd exchange the disk for a spare one and install Win7 there, once done, replace disks and return laptop.

 

[theog]

Ray will I be able to shrink C to install Win7 in UEFI mode and it will configure Dual Boot with preinstalled Windows 8?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

   Note

When dual booting with Windows 8 Preinstalled & Windows 7

Follow Step one to five in this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

   Warning

Before making the partition for Windows 7, delete the OEM Recovery partition at the end of HDD drive.
If you shink C: before deleting the OEM Recovery partition, the C: & the new partition may be converted to Dynamic partitions.

Than follow this tutorial: (installing in uEFI mode.)
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html

What modifications on my flash stick installer must I make?

You will need to do Step 11.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

Do I need to make any changes in BIOS besides disabling Secure Boot?

To set my Fujitsu OEM.

BIOS set to

1) Default setting.
2) Secure Boot DISABLED.

I can install in UEFI or Legacy.

Daul Boot One HDD or Two HDD's.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks Ray. Very helpful.

But how would a GPT partition convert to Dynamic if I save the Recovery partition while shrinking C to make my Win7 target partition - can't I have as many partitions as I want on GPT? What are the settings to be sure of?

 

[SIW2]

You are probably best imaging first.

Paragon works great for that.

Not sure about any of the others.

 

[theog]

Thanks Ray. Very helpful.

But how would a GPT partition convert to Dynamic if I save the Recovery partition while shrinking C to make my Win7 target partition - can't I have as many partitions as I want on GPT?

Only seen this problem once on a DELL, the OP may of been using 3rd party partitioning software. To be sure, I added the warning in the tutorial.