Will this method be OK for Windows 8 multi-boot?

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oakeny
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:12 am

Will this method be OK for Windows 8 multi-boot?

Post by oakeny »

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
TeraByte Support
Posts: 3598
Joined: Thu May 05, 2011 10:37 pm

Re: Will this method be OK for Windows 8 multi-boot?

Post by TeraByte Support »

yes, just set it active as well before shutting down (view mbr) - you can
just create the boot item ahead of time, boot from it, then shutdown.


"oakeny" wrote in message news:6086@public.bootitbm...

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

![:)]({SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif)

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

Bob Coleman
Posts: 785
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:58 pm

Re: Will this method be OK for Windows 8 multi-boot?

Post by Bob Coleman »

oakeny wrote:

> 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.


Actually there is a forum for BING.
oakeny
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:12 am

Re: Will this method be OK for Windows 8 multi-boot?

Post by oakeny »

TeraByte Support wrote:
> yes, just set it active as well before shutting down (view mbr) - you can
> just create the boot item ahead of time, boot from it, then shutdown.
>

Many thanks.

John S
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