Solved Dual Boot: Vista 32 and 64 Bit

[HyJaxLTD]

I have read everywhere that when you dual boot with vista and xp you must run something to repair the MBR. What I need to know:

I had already running Vista Ultimate x64. I have now installed onto its own partition my copy of Vista HM Premium x86. I have now updated the 32 bit install and just want to make sure, do i need to do anything lese before switching back to the 64 bit install?

Also, how do I make it so that it lists Vista 32Bit and Vista 64 Bit in my boot options...instead of just Windows Vista twice?

Sorry if both have been covered already, I could only find details when dual botting XP and haven't had time to search on the second question.

 

[Brink]

Hello HyJaxLTD,

This tutorial below can help show you how to dual boot with Vista and XP.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/224397-dual-boot-installation-windows-vista-xp.html


This tutorial will show you how to change the name of the OS in the Windows Boot Manager screen at boot. You shouldn't need to do anything else though when just dual booting with both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/215641-dual-boot-change-os-name-windows-boot-manager.html


Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[HyJaxLTD]

Thank you for the link to the Change OS Name...I was wondering about any special instructions for dual booting (intsalling) different bit versions of Vista. ie.e. Do I need to have one installed before the other (64bit then 32bit)? I am running VISTA only...not XP.

 

[Brink]

Na, it doesn''t matter which Vista you install first. To make it easier though, I would install the one that you want to start in mostly last. Whatever OS is installed last will be the one that the computer will start up to by default.

 

[HyJaxLTD]

Do I need to run FIXMBR or anything like that, or did MS finally fix something right?

 

[Brink]

Nope. You shouldn't have to fix the MBR. If for some odd reason one them will not startup, then you can just run a startup repair on it to fix it.

 

[HyJaxLTD]

Hey...Thank you very much...for all the info.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome HJaxLTD.

 

[Yann]

Hi, I currently have Vista 32 bit(retail version) install on my main drive, It also came with a 64bit upgrade disk. My first question is can I install a dual boot on the same drive or separate drive with the upgrade disk or do I need another retail version?

Second question, should I install it on the same drive or on separate drives, which is easier and works best?

Third question, you say in your guide that the last OS installed would be the one that would boot by default, I however would like to have the 32 bit load by default and not the 64 bit. Can it be done? I really don't want to have to re-format and re-install with all the on-line updates, takes too long.

 

[VaguelyRapt]

Hi, I currently have Vista 32 bit(retail version) install on my main drive, It also came with a 64bit upgrade disk. My first question is can I install a dual boot on the same drive or separate drive with the upgrade disk or do I need another retail version?

Second question, should I install it on the same drive or on separate drives, which is easier and works best?

Third question, you say in your guide that the last OS installed would be the one that would boot by default, I however would like to have the 32 bit load by default and not the 64 bit. Can it be done? I really don't want to have to re-format and re-install with all the on-line updates, takes too long.

First answer, the upgrade disc is just like the retail disc (only without a key), and it will install Vista just as well (only you need to run it from inside Windows, I don't think it's bootable). You will need a separate key though if you want to activate it within 30 days.

Second answer, I don't think it's possible to install two OS's on the same partition. Vista's Computer Management is an awesome tool to manage your partitions. I suggest partitioning your hard drive for each OS. (I have a partition for each OS, and another partition for my files).

Third answer, yes - it can be done. Easily. I've been suggesting this a lot recently and it's been help to many. A free program like EasyBCD can easily manage your Vista bootloader with any other OS. After you install, just run this program and play with the bootloader however you wish!

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Yann and welcome to Vista Forums

You can dual boot on either separate HDDs or on a single HDD that is partitioned, one partition per OS. There should be no problem in you actually installing the 64-bit version, following this guide http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html Unfortunately, you will need to purchase another product key, as you have already used the one you have already got with the 32-bit version.

As regards in setting a default OS for booting, refer to this Tutorial (it's for W7, but it also applies to Vista) BCDEDIT - How to Use - Windows 7 Forums If you get stuck, please reply and post the results of the command as shown in the Tutorial (please show it all, from prompt to prompt).

 

[Brink]

In addition, this will show you how to change the default operating system to boot to from within Vista.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/82664-boot-partition-default.html


No, you cannot install more than one OS on the same partition. You can install another OS on a separate partition on the same drive, or on a separate drive.

 

[Yann]

Hi guys

Thank you for the good info, I'll see if I can get another key for the 64 bit or maybe get a OEM version, whichever is cheapest and attemp to do the install on two different drive.

I'll be in touch if I run into any problem and let you know how it worked out.:D