Setup Installation :: Two Isolated Windows 8 Installations On Single Hardware?
Sep 15, 2014
I have a powerful dedicated work machine that I want to also use as a play machine.
The idea: Have two separate installations of Windows 8.1 on two separate disks, select which disc to boot to at startup (preferably by dual boot menu, BIOS as a last resort).
I want to know if it's possible to isolate the two installations from one another. The only way I can think to do this is to disable the hard disks from within each independent OS.
For example:
If the "work side" of the computer uses 1x256GB SSD for Boot and 1x1TB SSD for data, and the "play side" has 1x512GB SSD, then from the "work side" OS I could disable the SSD in device manager for the 512GB SSD, and from the "play side" I could disable the 256GB & 1TB SSD's. In theory could I do this? Would that mean that essentially the data on either side would be completely invulnerable from the other side?
Step 2:
Dual boot? Single Boot with BIOS selection?
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Jan 29, 2014
I've had some major problems with Windows 8 recently, I'll start with the questions:
1. Does the Windows 8 installation disk do a quick format or a full format that deals with bad sectors before installing?
2. If Windows 8 tries to install files on a bad sector will it cause the installation to hang?
3. Related question: If Windows 8 tries to do updates on a bad sector, can it cause a system crash and BSODs?
4. Second related question: Are there any known issues with certain windows update files crashing systems (for Windows 8)? If so, which ones are crashing the systems?
I had a major crash with Windows 8.1 where after many fruitless attempts to salvage the system, I ended up reinstalling.
I did this about 3 or 4 times, and each time, things ended up with a crash, sometimes after 2 days, sometimes after 3.
I finally definitively figured out that Windows Update was causing the crash. Unfortunately, I still don't know which one did it. What I do know is that some updates went fine, others caused crashes.
After the last crash, Windows went into a repair loop that I couldn't get out of. It would try an automatic repair, fail, and reboot.
What's worse is that my computer would not recognize the rescue disk or the Windows install disk, and ultimately (30 or 40 minutes later), send things into yet another fruitless reboot.
I finally used Knoppix to zero out the drive, which allowed the Windows install disk to run, but when I tried to install, I had more adventures.
1. Windows tried to install, but it gave me an error and didn't install.
2. Windows then was unable to format the disk, either through the install disk or through DOS.
3. The partition was turned into a "Raw partition" and I wasn't even able to do a chkdsk.
I then used badblocks, and that allowed me to format the drive through the installation disk, but once again, the installation failed. Or let me put it this way, 8 hours after it started, it still was trying to install.
Then this morning, I formatted with the Windows install disk again, and miraculously everything installed in 30 minutes like it was supposed to.
When I get home tonight, I'm going to try to do a chkdsk to check for errors. I've also turned off Windows update since that has been causing all these problems.
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Apr 10, 2014
I only have a Windows 8 Single Language key purchased. They mostly sell that version in my country. But I need to perform a clean install of Windows 8.1. How can I do this? How to get the ISO? I can't install 8.1 PRO ISO with a generic key and they use the SL key to activate right?
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Jan 7, 2014
I want to install windows 8.
currently i am using windows xp on C Drive.
I want to install Windows 8 or windows 8.1 on D Drive.
When i boot the pc will it prompt me to go to Windows xp or Windows 8.
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Dec 4, 2013
I have an SSD as my main drive, with windows 8.1, but also an old installation of windows 8 on it. i can see it before booting, as i have the option to boot into either. i cannot though find where the useless 8 OS is installed, but im sure its taking up at least some space on the drive. where would this usually be?
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Sep 13, 2014
For some reason Windows allows me to install Hotfixes that date back to August and even July! I know I installed those Hotfixes for a fact, but some recent updates reset all that. How to get the latest versions of everything at this point?
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May 17, 2013
I cannot see Internet explorer in my installations in the control panel, I want to uninstall it because I never use it, and it just opens up randomly sometimes which really annoys myself. I did some research on this, and other people suggested to look in the "View installed updates" to find it, although even then I did not.
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Mar 11, 2014
I was installing Windows 8 at my desktop pc.Suddenly power cut occured and it caused the compute to shut down.Then when I restarted my pc again a messege appeared saying that the installation has been corrupted and it can't be continued and it doesn't log on.After that when I tried to re-install Windows 8 the setup got stuck at the "setup is starting" window.I waited overnight for it to go and the installation to start.But it doesn't happen.I have tried to re-install several times but the same problen happens again and again.So neither I can log into my computer now nor I can re-install windows.I don't know what to do.
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Aug 17, 2014
I wanna add Two OS Windows 8 + Windows 8.1 Into A Single WIM File. Is it possible?
[x86,x64]
Windows 8 Pro x86
Windows 8 pro x64
Windows 8 x86
windows 8 x64
Windows 8 SIngle Lan x64
Windows 8.1 Single Lang x64
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Aug 28, 2014
With MDT 2013 and Windows ADK, how do I create a single ISO that, at startup, allows to choose whether to run Windows PE 5.1 32 bit or 64 bit?
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Sep 29, 2014
My laptop Vaio is running windows 8.1 single language and I want to renew install it. But recovery in lap is windows 8 with i just want install drive C and keep my files on other drive.
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Mar 30, 2013
I want to know how to upgrade Windows 8 single language to Windows 8 Professional, what is the way? Should I use third party program or not? I don't know.
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Mar 28, 2014
I maked Windows 8.0 Single Language EN-US ISOs (x86 and x64) from RU-RU ISOs (I removed Russian and added English).
When I try to install it in VMware Workstation (I tried x86, then I tried x64), on a half installation on both installations it says error: Windows could not see the offline locale information. Error code: 0x80000001.
I not maked any mistakes while making ISOs.
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Apr 11, 2014
I only have a Windows 8 Single Language key purchased. They mostly sell that version in my country. But I need to perform a clean install of Windows 8.1. How can I do this? How to get the ISO? I can't install 8.1 PRO ISO with a generic key and they use the SL key to activate right?
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Jan 20, 2014
Can a Windows 8.1 Single Language key be used to activate a Windows 8.1 Core?
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Sep 26, 2013
Can a group of computers (20-25 Units), all running Windows 8 Single Language, share files, printers and an internet connection via a LAN? I need to make sure that the OS I will be getting with my new machines will be able to do this. The cheapest license I could get for this is the Windows 8 SL? Is if up for the job? I also have 2 switches, a router and my internet source is from a cable modem.
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May 29, 2014
I've got a problem with Windows 8.1 Single Language Edition 64-bit (English/Russian/Ukrainian).
When Windows 8 updated to 8.1 last year through the Store, I lost the ability to Restore and Refresh (a feature I had used several times previously).
Since then I have been using the same installation of 8.1, and it has finally become too laggy and bloated and I need desperately to Restore (files are all backed up and removed from computer, ready for Restore).
Things I have tried already:
- Found my Product Key using a keyfind program. My version of 8.1 came preintalled on the laptop, no DVD case, or e-mails with Key.
- Made a recovery USB Flash Drive (my laptop doesn't have a DVD drive). Recovery drive works when I boot from BIOS, but says it is invalid when I try to Restore.
- Tried to download an official ISO file from Microsoft, but the site says my Product Key is invalid (its not invalid).
- Tried using the Enterprise Trial ISO to Restore, and am now stuck with an expired trial copy of Enterprise.
I still have the Recovery Partition, and didn't delete it when I made the Recovery USB.
My computer is an ASUS Zenbook prime UX31A. All I want is to Restore. Even if its back to Win 8. I do not understand why all options seem to be broken since the update to 8.1. It seems intentional.
I want to Restore legitimately, and use the product I bought legitimately. But if this continues I may have to seek "alternatives".
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Nov 28, 2013
while i am trying to update my windows 8 single language from the windows store after downloading all the important updates then also it provide this kind of error. here by i am adding the screenshot of the error message. i have also disable antiviruss and firewall
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Sep 15, 2014
I was having some problems with my dual monitor setup and while messing around with the settings I am afraid I messed it up a lot worse than my previous problems were. To keep it short, one of my monitors was not popping up (it ended up being the cable), but when I was in the settings I clicked the monitor to pick a "unknown device" as it was never detected. Now, when my computer boots up the main screen is the "unknown device" and the secondary screen is one of my two monitors. Because of this my screen only launches up as a blank gray screen. Typically one of my screens show this, while the primary one gives me the option to put in my password to login. Because this monitor which is my main monitor does not exist, I cannot get to my login screen. I know I am still on dual monitors because it will let me run the cursor off the screen as it does when I am using my monitors.
Basically, I want to boot up not on extended and only on my monitor (I tried the Win+P but it doesn't work on the gray screen). I also tried booting up in safe mode, but was unable to access it with Shift F8. Any simple solution to this before I have to do a reinstall of Windows 8.
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Jul 2, 2014
I just bought this Sony VAIO Fit 15a and i play fps games like League of Legends, Dota2 and COD4:MW and at the first ten or so minutes i play them smoothly but after that the fps will be halved and it seems like its lagging. I tried to play them all in lowest settings but the problem still persists.
Operating SystemWindows 8 Single Language 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3/i5/i7 4xxx @ 1.70GHz58
Haswell ULT 22nm Technology
RAM
4.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 797MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
Sony Corporation VAIO (N/A)58
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics Family (Sony)
Storage
465GB Western Digital WDC WD5000LPVX-55V0TT3 (SATA)41
Optical Drives
No optical disk drives detected
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio
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Feb 28, 2014
I have been trying to change my language all day but I cant seem to execute the command "dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:lp.cab" in my command prompt. I get the above error. I have downloaded the language pack and put it in my root C drive and renamed it ip.cab
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Sep 1, 2013
How to activate Media Center in Windows 8.1 Single Language RTM Edition?
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Mar 12, 2013
Most of the game i've installed are not compatible with my windows 8 single language. Of course my laptop's requirements are enough for the game but the problem lies within the windows 8. Are there any solutions to this matter ?
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Sep 15, 2014
I have a HP Envy 4 Ultrabook and I want to install Windows 8 from scratch, I put the installation files on a flash drive from a DVD of Win 8 I had, but when I go to install it, it says the "We couldn't find any drives". I have tried using DiskPart within the CMD as well, but it only finds my flash drive when I run list disk. Also, my drives are completely formatted, and I accidentally wiped the recovery partition. I tried with a USB of Win 8 Pro, and it was fine, showing all of my drives correctly, but that version is linked to another PC, so I can't install it. Also, I booted into a Linux Mint live CD and tried to install it, it sees my hard drive correctly, but the Windows install does not, I can't figure this out, never encountered it before. Is Linux my only option at this point?
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Oct 18, 2013
I am trying to upgrade from windows 8 pro to windows 8.1 on a samsung laptop. The download completes and installation starts.
After a while the following message appears "you cant install windows on a usb flash drive with setup"
I am not actually trying to install to a flash drive. I contacted Microsoft and after 5 hours they said that I should connect to the internet with a cable and not by wireless in order to solve the problem (this didn't work of course and I had told them that it was an install problem and not a download problem).
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Jan 27, 2014
Until very recently i was running Windows 8 with a 240 GB Sandisk SSD as a primary and a 2 TB Western Digital Green HDD as a storage. I decided to set up a RAID 1 setup so i purchased a second 2 TB HDD and installed it.
My intent was to run windows 8 off the 240 SSD as a primary and have a RAID 1 setup for my 2TB HDDs.
I learnt that my data configuration was set to AHCI. I decided to do a complete clean install and change the sata configuration in BIOS to RAID.
After successfully creating a RAID volume using my 2TB HDDs i proceeded to install Windows off my primary. I am however having difficulties in that it will not allow me to install windows on either drive.
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Aug 31, 2013
Im trying to install Windows 8 (Not 8.1) but it gets stuck at the booting screen (Where setup shuold load files)
My system specs are on my profile.
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May 11, 2014
I am trying to setup a new Windows 8 computer that is going to be a gift. I need to go through the setup procedure so I can install some software which is also part of the gift. How can I do this without having to use a Microsoft account, or at least with leaving the least amount of account remnants for the new user?
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Apr 10, 2014
I have tried updating my Windows 8.1 Pro (64-bit, upgraded from Windows 8 Pro) with the new "Update 1" (KB2919355) but it always fails with ERROR code 8007005 (or 80073712).
What I have tried do to fix:
Run WindowsUpdateDiagnostic (that e.g. removes files from C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload and cleans Windows update history metadata info)DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanhealthDISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthDISM.EXE /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
After all of this, still the update (KB2919355) fails
There must be something that Microsoft needs to fix, there are xxxxxxxxxxxx amount of similar complains and reports out there...
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Sep 12, 2013
I decided to install Win 8.1 RTM x64 yesterday but what I expected to be a breeze turned into a nightmare. Installation fails, I am even unable to get into Safe Mode.
I was running Win 7 Ultimate x64 before without any issues whatsoever.
I already described my issues here, with errors and logs: Windows 8.1 RTM installation fails on Dell XPS 1340
Changed memory from 2x4GB to original 2x2GB but completely same issue
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Jan 26, 2014
I'm trying to install Windows 8 on my pc (hp pavillion g6) which its hdd is completely empty; but it gets stuck on expanding files at 98%
I'm installing it via dvd
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