Dual boot?

[birdguy 3,943]

My 1TB SSD is getting close to maximum capacity.  I am not installing Netherlands because it would reduce the free space required for the computer's operation.

I went to my local computer shop where my tech and guru who built the computer I am using now works.  Two summers ago I ordered the parts as I could afford them (CPU, Motherboard, SSD, memory chips and video card.)  He got the case and liquid cooling system and whatever else was required.

I want Windows 7 installed so I can install FS2004 (for CalClassics propliners and 1960s scenery) as well as my old MSTS train simulator along with P3Dv4 and all my Orbx scenery.

He suggested a dual boot system leaving Windows 10 installed on a 500GB partition for my non-gaming stuff like Word Perfect and the like and a Windows 7 partition for P3Dv4, FS2004 and MSTS and whatever other games I want to install.

Someone whose input I value and trust said dual boot systems can have problems and she suggested I just have Windows 7 installed on the 2TB SSD.

What do you guys think?  I'll go with the consensus.

Noel 

Edited November 5, 2018 by birdguy

[Jude Bradley 659]

Dual boot can have problems if you have to reset the MBR (master boot record). However, I have only experience of Linux and Windows dual-boot, not of a Dual-boot of Windows OS's.

 

[Guest]

Don't do it. 

Run your Sim PC standalone like it's a big deal. Don't pollute it with cr*p - even if it's on another partition - it'll find it.

Get a cheapo laptop for the day to day work stuff - you know - for earning money, organising your life and surfing the net, etc.

I have a 10 year old laptop that I use for day to day boring work stuff, etc. It has no idea it's sitting on a black box containing my beautiful PC Flight Simulator. They are inches apart but neither is aware of the others existence.

[Paraffin 2,197]

If you absolutely must have Windows 7 for certain applications, I'd put it on a separate computer, maybe an old laptop. Dual boot with the same OS version can be good for running a stripped-down version for gaming and flight sims alongside a more general-purpose setup. And maybe if you want something like Linux on the same machine.

But running current and older versions of the same OS isn't a great idea. Too much potential for confusion trying to keep both updated and virus/malware free. 

Speaking of which... Microsoft will stop official support for Windows 7 on Jan. 14, 2020. It's not that far away now, just a little over a year, and that means no more security patch updates. If you really need to run Windows 7 and want to continue after 1/2020, I'd recommend a "black box" approach where you're using a separate computer, never connected to the Internet. After that date, Win7 will become even more vulnerable to malware attacks, like the recent ransomware that targeted un-patched Windows XP systems in hospitals.

[Penzoil3 480]

No, install W7 on the existing 1TB SSD system drive, and then install the new drive for all your games. Keep the games separate from your OS. Get rid of W 10.  W-7  is perfectly safe as long as you have a good security program like ESET, or Kaspersky installed. I use ESET, Jay Kae (the server guy for OrbX, remember him?) always recommended it.

Sue

Edited November 5, 2018 by Penzoil3

[birdguy 3,943]

I stopped by my computer shop this afternoon and we discussed this.  He agrees dual boot is not the best way to do this.

I do have an older laptop with all the mundane applications on it like mail, Word Perfect, my writing and pictures, etc-etc-etc.

I will go with Sue's suggestion on using the two SSDs on my desktop and also Ganter's suggestion to do my mundane things on my laptop which is just a step away on another desk.

Thanks for your suggestions guys (and gals).

Noel

[Wobbie 938]

For me, Windows 10 works extremely well with FS2004, of which I'm running 6x different installs.

No issues at all.

Just install the sim into C:\ & NOT the default Program File directory.

Use the 9.1 patch

Right-click & run the .exe in XP compatibility mode & as Admin.

No need for dual booting, or anything else.

[birdguy 3,943]

I've tried that way for both FS2004 and MSTS Robin.  On my system they won't work.  Maybe they will but I'm not competent enough to figure it out.

I'm a complete dunce.  I installed both FS2004 and MSTS in the administrator mode but when I try to run they both tell me I must be in the administrator mode.  I did install them in the administrator mode so I don't know what to do next.  I'm pretty much a dunce when it comes to today's computers (I miss DOS).

Since I'm out of room on my 1TB SSD and have to move to a larger drive why not just go back to Windows 7 which I  am familiar with.  I never was comfortable with Windows 10.

Noel 

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

I gave my rig a Dual Boot, kicked it twice, didn't fix anything 😄

 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Matthew Kane said:

I gave my rig a Dual Boot, kicked it twice, didn't fix anything 😄

 

Reminds me of the time I tried running Windows on my Mac.

Boot Camp was hard work and there were many bruises. Never again.

 

[Wobbie 938]

11 hours ago, birdguy said:

I've tried that way for both FS2004 and MSTS Robin.  On my system they won't work.  Maybe they will but I'm not competent enough to figure it out.

I'm a complete dunce.  I installed both FS2004 and MSTS in the administrator mode but when I try to run they both tell me I must be in the administrator mode.  I did install them in the administrator mode so I don't know what to do next.  I'm pretty much a dunce when it comes to today's computers (I miss DOS).

Since I'm out of room on my 1TB SSD and have to move to a larger drive why not just go back to Windows 7 which I  am familiar with.  I never was comfortable with Windows 10.

Noel 

Not a problem...

I just installed the sim the normal way, not in Admin mode (I've no idea how to do that anyway)...

Then I right-clicked the icon (you can also do this to the FS9.exe, clicked Properies, Then Compatibility, then XP Mode, then ticked Run as Admin..

All worked perfectly.