- Feb 5, 2012
- 658
- Briefly explain your current issue(s)
-
Windows 8.1 Pro x64 was too slow to boot in a live partition install in a dual-boot with Windows 7 x64
- Steps taken to resolve, but have been unsuccessful
-
Nothing. Just reverted back to plain Windows 7 x64 dual boot arrangement in the meantime. The speed difference seems to not be worthwhile with using 8.1 especially with the programs I use.
Hi guys,
Is it feasible to create a VHD, install Windows 8.1 and then use RAMDisk to add more speed to the VHD usage? This idea just got into my head the other day as I planned to install Windows 8.1 in a partition on my hard drive. Dual boot arrangement with Windows 7 x64 (2 partitions). Got some issues with the install as I found out that Windows 8.1 does not boot as fast as my old Windows 7. When I compare the laptop with pre-installed Windows 8 the boot speed difference is glaring (though the laptop is not in a dual-boot arrangement). I understand that Windows 8 does not really shutdown but hibernates itself for more faster boot the next time yo boot it up..correct? Now I find that in a dual-boot it aint so. Windows 8.1 boot's very slow in this desktop(same desktop where I test the Bitdefender AV and IS 2014 trials).
Now to get back to my question, is it feasible? I mean to,
Create a VHD in Windows 7 > Install Windows 8.1 > and then use RAMDisk to speed things up.
What may be the benefits of using an 8.1 VHD dualboot arrangement with Windows 7 versus the live partition install/usage..?
I have GiliSoftRAMDisk lying around here and have no experience using it. Now earlier I was searching the web and checking out ways to install and use Windows 8.1 on this desktop but also seeking ways to make it worth the while by improving on what I have experienced when I installed 8.1 on a live partition.
I read that the use of RAMDisks helps in speeding up some power hungry programs like Photoshop etc..correct? How about speeding up an OS performance?
Anybody done this kind of thing? I Google-d some earlier and I see that some people are doing it with Windows 10 Tech Preview.
Now another question that I'd like to ask is,
Assuming I have had success installing 8.1 in a VHD arrangement for dual-boot with Windows 7, can I install programs like AutoCAD 2013 and some ram hogging programs like Adobe Photoshop CS3 or some video editing software like Cyberlink Power Director Ultra on it..?
Is that feasible also or well.....crazy? Well that is the reason why I'd like to use GilisoftRAMDisk with it "if" performance will be affected.
Well I have never used a VHD before. All fo my trials were done on live partitions from image backups and when I am done I just recover the prior image I did and move-on.
The purpose is also to make the (late) transition to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7 and then if things will go okay move on early to Windows 10 (I will grab the free upgrade). I just do not want to jump to Windows 10 and later suffer the consequences of not being able to use my programs such as AutoCAD 2013 etc efficiently ---that will kill me and may downgrade back to Windows 7 and forget it.
Well I am good with Windows 7 with all the programs I am using now but I can't stay forever with it now that Windows 10 is out there.
So help me guys/gurus.
I may post a different thread on installing 8.1 on a different scenario, live partition dual-boot arrangement and not in VHD with GilisoftRAMDisk usage but this will come first.
Lastly, what about imaging that arrangement -- Create a VHD in Windows 7 > Install Windows 8.1 > and then use RAMDisk to speed things up. I use Acronis True Image 2012 with Plus Pack now and would like to ask if there are any issues that I should take into consideration.
Will imaging be fine? Will it image the whole disk including the VHD arrangement?
If I recover that image backup, will I be able to use the arrangement again?
How about the RAMDisk? Will I set it up again when I recover from an image backup? I read somewhere that when you reboot all the contents of the RAMDisk are erased (if not saved) si that correct..?
Sorry for the gazillion questions there but I am eager to know what can be done or what will I be experiencing as I plan and if feasible go on and try doing it.
So do please add some comments and share some insights here
Thanks
Is it feasible to create a VHD, install Windows 8.1 and then use RAMDisk to add more speed to the VHD usage? This idea just got into my head the other day as I planned to install Windows 8.1 in a partition on my hard drive. Dual boot arrangement with Windows 7 x64 (2 partitions). Got some issues with the install as I found out that Windows 8.1 does not boot as fast as my old Windows 7. When I compare the laptop with pre-installed Windows 8 the boot speed difference is glaring (though the laptop is not in a dual-boot arrangement). I understand that Windows 8 does not really shutdown but hibernates itself for more faster boot the next time yo boot it up..correct? Now I find that in a dual-boot it aint so. Windows 8.1 boot's very slow in this desktop(same desktop where I test the Bitdefender AV and IS 2014 trials).
Now to get back to my question, is it feasible? I mean to,
Create a VHD in Windows 7 > Install Windows 8.1 > and then use RAMDisk to speed things up.
What may be the benefits of using an 8.1 VHD dualboot arrangement with Windows 7 versus the live partition install/usage..?
I have GiliSoftRAMDisk lying around here and have no experience using it. Now earlier I was searching the web and checking out ways to install and use Windows 8.1 on this desktop but also seeking ways to make it worth the while by improving on what I have experienced when I installed 8.1 on a live partition.
I read that the use of RAMDisks helps in speeding up some power hungry programs like Photoshop etc..correct? How about speeding up an OS performance?
Anybody done this kind of thing? I Google-d some earlier and I see that some people are doing it with Windows 10 Tech Preview.
Now another question that I'd like to ask is,
Assuming I have had success installing 8.1 in a VHD arrangement for dual-boot with Windows 7, can I install programs like AutoCAD 2013 and some ram hogging programs like Adobe Photoshop CS3 or some video editing software like Cyberlink Power Director Ultra on it..?
Is that feasible also or well.....crazy? Well that is the reason why I'd like to use GilisoftRAMDisk with it "if" performance will be affected.
Well I have never used a VHD before. All fo my trials were done on live partitions from image backups and when I am done I just recover the prior image I did and move-on.
The purpose is also to make the (late) transition to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7 and then if things will go okay move on early to Windows 10 (I will grab the free upgrade). I just do not want to jump to Windows 10 and later suffer the consequences of not being able to use my programs such as AutoCAD 2013 etc efficiently ---that will kill me and may downgrade back to Windows 7 and forget it.
Well I am good with Windows 7 with all the programs I am using now but I can't stay forever with it now that Windows 10 is out there.
So help me guys/gurus.
I may post a different thread on installing 8.1 on a different scenario, live partition dual-boot arrangement and not in VHD with GilisoftRAMDisk usage but this will come first.
Lastly, what about imaging that arrangement -- Create a VHD in Windows 7 > Install Windows 8.1 > and then use RAMDisk to speed things up. I use Acronis True Image 2012 with Plus Pack now and would like to ask if there are any issues that I should take into consideration.
Will imaging be fine? Will it image the whole disk including the VHD arrangement?
If I recover that image backup, will I be able to use the arrangement again?
How about the RAMDisk? Will I set it up again when I recover from an image backup? I read somewhere that when you reboot all the contents of the RAMDisk are erased (if not saved) si that correct..?
Sorry for the gazillion questions there but I am eager to know what can be done or what will I be experiencing as I plan and if feasible go on and try doing it.
So do please add some comments and share some insights here
Thanks
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