Will this method be OK for Windows 8 multi-boot?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:26 am
I wish to multi-boot windows 8 on a computer already set up to boot Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
I have figured out a method I think is pretty straight forward, but not sure about the "gotchas" with Windows 8 behaviour, so would appreciate comment from some of you knowledgeable people
Existing setup:-
Older computer with Bios - (doesn't have UEFI)
HDD (a) has limited partitions with BING, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7.
HDD (b) has one partition for data, visible to the other three OS.
Proposed method of installing Windows 8:-
1) Use Bing to re-partition HDD (b) to create a new primary partition for Windows 8, and retain the existing data in a second partition on the remainder of the drive.
2) Disconnect HDD (a), then do a fresh install of Windows 8 on HDD (b) in the new primary partition.
3) Once the new Widows 8 is set up and running, re-connect HDD (a) and re-set the BIOS to boot from HDD (a).
4) In BING, set up a new boot item for the Windows 8 installation on HDD (b). Hide the partitions with the other three OSs on HDD (a) and use the Swap option in BING with the new boot item, to boot from the new primary partition on HDD (b).
Does this make sense, or am I overlooking some feature of Windows 8 which will cause problems?
PS - I realise this is a BIBM newsgroup, but there isn't one for BING anymore? I have purchased BIBM but haven't used it yet, and would prefer to use BING in this instance if I can.
Thanks for any good advice.
John S
I have figured out a method I think is pretty straight forward, but not sure about the "gotchas" with Windows 8 behaviour, so would appreciate comment from some of you knowledgeable people
Existing setup:-
Older computer with Bios - (doesn't have UEFI)
HDD (a) has limited partitions with BING, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7.
HDD (b) has one partition for data, visible to the other three OS.
Proposed method of installing Windows 8:-
1) Use Bing to re-partition HDD (b) to create a new primary partition for Windows 8, and retain the existing data in a second partition on the remainder of the drive.
2) Disconnect HDD (a), then do a fresh install of Windows 8 on HDD (b) in the new primary partition.
3) Once the new Widows 8 is set up and running, re-connect HDD (a) and re-set the BIOS to boot from HDD (a).
4) In BING, set up a new boot item for the Windows 8 installation on HDD (b). Hide the partitions with the other three OSs on HDD (a) and use the Swap option in BING with the new boot item, to boot from the new primary partition on HDD (b).
Does this make sense, or am I overlooking some feature of Windows 8 which will cause problems?
PS - I realise this is a BIBM newsgroup, but there isn't one for BING anymore? I have purchased BIBM but haven't used it yet, and would prefer to use BING in this instance if I can.
Thanks for any good advice.
John S