Create Bootable Hdd

[vwayne]

I have the opportunity to beta test a new program, which is graphics-heavy, but I need a bootable hdd for it. Apparently to make a bootable hdd from an external, usb driven hdd won't work in Windows for this particular applicaton, so I need to use an internal hdd.
Can I clone my existing C drive to a new hdd using Vista Ultimate and make it bootable, or do I need to use other software?

 

[patio]

Not sure what you're after here...
USB external drives can be made to be bootable....

Doesn't this application need an OS to run on ? ?
Please clarify.

 

[vwayne]

Sorry for the delay. Didn't get an email notificaton that someone answered.
Yes, I need an OS for this hdd to run on.
This software is usually tested on Macs, for which making a bootable hdd is much easier. They(the beta tester forum) say Windows doesn't play nice if an external hdd is used.

 

[patio]

It's not exactly easy to have Windows run on an external drive...this is by design.
It CAN be done but it's a chore.
Have you considered a virtual machine install to test this app ? ?

I'm still not clear on what you want.

 

[vwayne]

patio,
What I'm trying to do is create a place apart from my existing 64 bit OS in which to test a new software program.
After researching, I quit persuing the external hdd idea, although I'm interested in that you say it can be done. How difficult is it?
At this point I think I'll install a new internal hdd and then install from the dvd, Vista 32bit (which came with my Windows Vista purchase) on another hdd in my machine. Then I can boot to either drive, install the test software and when or if it crashes it won't interfere with my existing C drive.
Do you see any advantage of a virtual maching over this idea?

 

[Martee]

Also you can make small partition for Vista 32bit, then install Sandboxie or Windows SteadyState and test the new software inside this applications. That way, if something goes wrong, you can shut down the Sandboxie and start all over again. The soft running inside the sandbox can't do any harm to the operating system.

No, you can't install Sandbox apps on the 64bit OS.

 

[vwayne]

So if I used Sandboxie and then installed a graphics program on the new 32 bit hdd or partition, and the graphics software introduced malware etc, I'd simply dump the contents from Sanboxie? Would that also dump the graphics software program?

Also, would you say that Sandboxie is better than the free Windows SteadyState for this?

 

[Martee]

First of all, the small correction, seems the Sandboxie is in the 64bit version now. I didn't know about it. When I used this app there was no x64 version.

Yes, that's correct, every time you close the Sandboxie it automatically shuts down the program you run in it. So, you have to install it again inside the sandbox again. This app allows to surf the web without worry for infecting the computer with the viruses, too.

The Windows SteadyState is similar to Sandboxie except, it can save the changes temporary -if I recollect right- and dump all changes when you shut down the machine. In other words it allows you to crate the separate account, lets say special one and anything you do under this account won't be permanent. It's the excellent tool when you allow other users to work on your computer, they can do whatever they want, but the changes aren't permanent. You can also block programs you have installed on the PC and you don't want to be used by other person in this account.

 

[vwayne]

Got a second hdd and installed Vista 32 bit. No problems. But now I can't seem to get the system to dual boot. Since installing the 32 bit OS, the computer starts with that hdd, which now has become the C drive, instead booting to the pre existing drive, which now has become the F drive.
The only way I got the machine to boot to the first hdd, which has the original 64bit OS, is to unplug the new drive.
What can I do to be able to choose at startup, which drive to boot to? Appreciate the help.

 

[Martee]

Hello Vwayne,

Try to repair the bootloader (startup repair) with the Vista x64 disc. But don't remove the second drive when doing this repair. After that you should have the option during booting between the Vista x64 and/or x86.

 

[vwayne]

I did that this morning. Ran it three times, although my OS didn't show in the startup repair window. I read where it said to load drivers if no OS displayed, but when I opened that window there were a bunch of things to choose from, none of which I understood to be drivers. So I left it blank. I figured since I was running from the dvd it had to be the oly OS being addressed and should contain drivers. Didn't know what else to do.
What shoud I have done about loading drivers?

 

[Martee]

I don't exactly understand why the os didn't show at the startup repair. Perhaps, you should perform a repair installation for Vista x64. But first try to check do you have two operating systems in the system configuration/boot window.

Go to Start and type System Configuration, right click it and run it as a administrator, when the window open click Boot tab and you should see two Vista installations. If so, when the x86 version is booting instead of x64 one, that means the 32one is as the default now, so set the other one as the default OS. Also set the Timeout little longer, let say 10 seconds to have the time to switch between systems during booting the computer.

If you see just one Vista entry there, I would suggest to perform repair installation of the Vista x64. First backup any documents just in case something goes wrong. You know, boot into the 64bit system without second drive or just go the the partition where the 64bit system is from the working one, the Vista x86

 

[vwayne]

I checked the boot tab as you suggested. They are both there and the system is booting from the C drive, which is what I want.
I also downloaded EasyBCD, the 2.0 build. I can now see the boot manager, the first time in 2 days of working on this. But, I can't choose either hdd in Boot Manager because they won't move. Tried the up and down arrows, and the left and right arrows. Nothing. The system then boots into the default OS(C). I tried to reset the BCD configuration but for some reason the program won't respond to that, although it will configure under Add/Remove Entries.

I went to EasyBcd because no how many times I tried the space bar and F8 at boot the Boot Manager wouldn't show.

As it stands, I've got the boot manager but it won't work.

 

[Martee]

O.K. I switched to the second machine where I dual boot and I have x64 and x86 systems. Here's what I've got

The Ultimate is the default. It's the x64 OS on the C: and the Premium is 32bit one as the second operating system. But if I boot from the Vista x86, then this OS runs from the C: Also, I remember, I had to reinstall the Ultimate again after I set the Vista Home.

Now it depends from which side - operating system - you are watching, this OS will be the partition C:
If you have two systems in the System configuration window and want to set the other one as the default you have to click it and click "Set As Default" tab. I guess in your case the x64 system is on the E: or F: partition. Next time when you run it and open the sys. configuration window, this 64bit OS will be on the C: drive.

I'm sorry, but I never used the Easy BCD so I can't tell much about it and how to make it to work right.

 

[vwayne]

If the attached screen capture shows up, you'll see that my 64 bit in the "C" drive is already set as the default.
The one below is "O" and that's the 32 bit OS.

Let's say that I uninstall the easybcd. How would I get the boot manager to operate? It wouldn't even appear before installing easybcd. If there's a better way I'm all for it. I'm almost ready to simply unplug and use the different OS's that way, because I need the 2nd OS for a beta test of some software.

 

[vwayne]

I just thought of something. Shouldn't the "O" drive(which has the 32 bit OS on it), also show up in Computer with an icon like the "C" drive?

 

[Martee]

Well, your system on the current O: partition will be the C: when you boot from it.

Here are my screen shots:

Looking from the 64bit OS
it's clear to see due to different name of these volumes.

and looking from 32bit one
see what I mean.

So, if you don't have the option to switch between the both systems during booting computer try once more to boot from the Vista x64 DVD and perform the startup repair of this OS. If it won't work, do just repair installation for this X64, do not reinstall the whole OS.

 

[vwayne]

Okay, I'll try. If I do repair installation of the x64, what happens to my programs? Do I lose them and have to reinstall them all?

 

[Martee]

You might need to re-install some drivers and programs. Please read this http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html.

I think you will be interested in this as well http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html

 

[MilesAhead]

Okay, I'll try. If I do repair installation of the x64, what happens to my programs? Do I lose them and have to reinstall them all?

Just to add a couple of notes:

For all things bootable it's tough to top this site for breadth of knowledge:
Boot Land

Afa Sandboxie, I have used it for years. For a long time the author would not produce a 64 bit version because Windows Patch Guard prevents the kernel from being modified. That's the main feature that gives the rock solid protection in the 32 bit version. The 64 bit version cannot provide the same level of protection. The ins and outs are totally explained on the Sandboxie forum.

It's more advantageous to use Sandboxie on the 32 bit side esp. if guarding against unstable software you install for testing.