Windows 10 custom computer question

Smorton · 31 Dec 2018

Greetings,

I bought a desktop with Windows 10 installed a few days ago. The C drive is 1 500 gb ssd, I added a 4 gb internal "D" drive.

Then I remembered I had a new Samsung 500 gb SSD. I asked my it person if he could install Win 7 professional on that drive and have it not be connected to the internet but just to use with a couple of programs that aren't compatible with Win 10. He said he can.

Is there any way to make an "internal" kvm switch so I can switch back and forth between systems by clicking the scroll log button twice (or some other hot key)?

Thank you in advance for any input.

SM

Berton · 31 Dec 2018

There used to be drive bays one could have a second drive in but they generally weren't hot-swappable, had to shut down, flip the switch then boot up again, I still have a couple in my "parts" bin and have one in a computer running Win10 but it also is not hot-swappable [works great for copying data off].

bobkn · 31 Dec 2018

Dual boot?

Smorton · 31 Dec 2018

I was hoping to get away from dual boot or restarting. Perhaps I can't.

Thanks. Anymore input appreciated.

SM

Steve C · 01 Jan 2019

First try all the compatibility mode options in Windows 10 to see if you can coax those old programs to run (what are they?). Next consider using your Windows 7 licence for a dual boot configuration or run Windows 7 as a VM from within Windows 10.

Mystere · 01 Jan 2019

You can use virtual machine software to run multiple os’s at the same time. If you have enough ram that is. look into virtual box, from oracle (it’s free) or if you have winsdows 10 pro or enterprise it comes with hyper-v virtualization.

Smorton · 01 Jan 2019

Steve C said:

First try all the compatibility mode options in Windows 10 to see if you can coax those old programs to run (what are they?). Next consider using your Windows 7 licence for a dual boot configuration or run Windows 7 as a VM from within Windows 10.

32 gb ram. I wanted to isolate the Windows 7 and not have it so it can access the internet. I would be using it for several important, job specific archaic programs. I had considered a VM and used to have one but didn't like it.

Thank you.

SM

Ztruker · 01 Jan 2019

Best bet would then be to pick up a 2nd system and run Windows 7 on it. Then you could use a real KVMS switch between it and your Win 10 system.

Smorton · 01 Jan 2019

Ztruker said:

Best bet would then be to pick up a 2nd system and run Windows 7 on it. Then you could use a real KVMS switch between it and your Win 10 system.

Yep. Problems solved. Thank you. Any KVM you recommend? I suppose I don't want vga monitor ends.

Common sense.

Thanks

SM

Berton · 01 Jan 2019

I use a TRENDnet TK-407K 4-port KVM [without sound], the video is VGA and mouse/keyboard USB. For commonality between Win10 RTM, Win10 IP, Linux Mint 19 and WinXP, I keep the resolution at 1440x900 because of the adapters, 3 onboard and 1 Add-in card.