Two OSs on two hard drives

Richard Ricardo · Oct 17, 2014

I have 1 Hard drive installed on my system with Windows 7 64bit and another lying around from an older computer. It still has files and programs on it from the old computer. My question is: How can I format the old hard drive and then install a second OS on it without any problems? Also, will I be able to install Ubuntu, Windows 8.1, and Mac OSX all on that one drive? If and when I do install the other OS/OSs, what should I expect to do to choose which OS to boot at startup?

I saw explanations on this topic but what I read on the subject is always vague and doesn't answer my questions entirely. Basically I'm afraid of messing something up on my existing drive because I don't fully understand the procedure.

So long story short, Windows 7 stays on hard drive 1, and other OSs all go on Hard drive 2.

kawininjazx · Oct 17, 2014

You can change the hard drive boot priority in bios, but if you put linux on the second drive grub may allow you to pick what OS you want. You cant install OSX on a pc without a hack.

Did you ever look into a virtual machine?

Richard Ricardo · Oct 17, 2014

kawininjazx :

Yeah I looked into it but I figured its not an option for me since I want all the computers resources to be focused on one OS at a time. Is the only way to boot from another OS on separate hard drives to change the boot priority?

Eximo · Oct 17, 2014

I would say all boards have a boot menu you can pull up using a Function key.

I think it simplifies things to not have the two OS know about each other at all. But I used to dual boot XP/DOS and 7 for a while.

Richard Ricardo · Oct 17, 2014

Eximo :

So if I install separate OSs on separate drives, they will not interact with each other at all?

Eximo · Oct 17, 2014

If you want it that way, yes. What you do is unplug the drive you aren't using and install the OS on the other one. Then when the computer turns on, you simply key the F-key that gives you one time boot up options and select the drive you want to boot from. That way you don't have to change the boot order every time.

It is a lazy way to do it, but has its advantages. And you will still be able to see the other hard drive.

Setting up GRUB or one of the other multi-OS bootloaders is always an option.

Richard Ricardo · Oct 17, 2014

Ok that all seems very simple and easy. Thank you very much! Now I just need to know, I'm going to put the second OS (probably Windows 8.1) on the second drive but the second drive is already full of data and drivers from the old computer. Do I need to find a way to erase all that or will it all format when I partition and attempt to install Windows 8.1 onto the drive?

Eximo · Oct 17, 2014

As long as there is no OS on there it should just create the appropriate folders without overwriting anything. Just select "use existing file system" or however an 8.1 install phrases it these days. (Only installed on a blank drive, and upgraded so far with 8/8.1) Mostly use system images at work.

Richard Ricardo · Oct 17, 2014

Eximo :

I should've mentioned Windows 7 is installed on the HDD already. I would like to overwrite the OS with Windows 8.1

Eximo · Oct 20, 2014

Richard Ricardo :

It will work, but move Windows 7 to Windows.old and you will have to delete it later if you want the space back. I believe Windows cleanup can get rid of it.

Richard Ricardo · Oct 20, 2014

Eximo :

Thanks for your help. I should know all this stuff already but I'm always extra careful when doing anything new. I decided I'm gonna try to get macosx on my computer instead or maybe ubuntu just so I can learn how to support them properly.

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