I came a cross this tread https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...s-one-on-each-will-it-be-problematic.3151592/ while searching for a solution to my problem. The answer by 'ArtPog' describes almost perfectly my current set-up and I have a follow-up question to 'ArtPog' or anybody else in relation to UEFI.
My computer has 2 HDD caddy, one contains a HDD that I use just for data (formatted in NTFS because all the OS I use can read and write to it) and for the other I have multiple HDD with different operating systems and applications on them (Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux Mint, Linux Zorin, Linux Deepin, etc..). I just insert the HDD with the OS I want to use. (I do have to switch off when changing HDD, but that's ok). All is working fine, but that is because all the HDDs are formatted with the old BIOS and MBR system.
I'm looking at upgrading the computer or building a new one and I need to consider using UEFI and GPT system (without secure boot). I believe that during install of an OS (ie. Windows 7), some boot instruction is written to the motherboard NVRAM. When I then insert an other HDD and install an other OS (ie. Linux Mint) the boot instruction on the motherboard is over-written or modified to reflext the new OS, and when I put back the first HDD - it wont not boot any more?? Is there a solution? Also some older OS do not install under UEFI (ie. Windows XP) how do I use different OS on their own UEFI HDD and OS on MBR HDD on the same hardware? (desktop computer, same motherboard, cpu, ram, etc..)
One solution I heard off, but I did not find a how to do instruction, is to foul the computer in recognizing the HDD as a removable thumb drives??
An other solution would be to use only one HDD and 'VirtualBox' to run the others OS, but that has it's own problems and is my least favorite option.
Any opinions and suggestions would be welcome. Thanks
My computer has 2 HDD caddy, one contains a HDD that I use just for data (formatted in NTFS because all the OS I use can read and write to it) and for the other I have multiple HDD with different operating systems and applications on them (Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux Mint, Linux Zorin, Linux Deepin, etc..). I just insert the HDD with the OS I want to use. (I do have to switch off when changing HDD, but that's ok). All is working fine, but that is because all the HDDs are formatted with the old BIOS and MBR system.
I'm looking at upgrading the computer or building a new one and I need to consider using UEFI and GPT system (without secure boot). I believe that during install of an OS (ie. Windows 7), some boot instruction is written to the motherboard NVRAM. When I then insert an other HDD and install an other OS (ie. Linux Mint) the boot instruction on the motherboard is over-written or modified to reflext the new OS, and when I put back the first HDD - it wont not boot any more?? Is there a solution? Also some older OS do not install under UEFI (ie. Windows XP) how do I use different OS on their own UEFI HDD and OS on MBR HDD on the same hardware? (desktop computer, same motherboard, cpu, ram, etc..)
One solution I heard off, but I did not find a how to do instruction, is to foul the computer in recognizing the HDD as a removable thumb drives??
An other solution would be to use only one HDD and 'VirtualBox' to run the others OS, but that has it's own problems and is my least favorite option.
Any opinions and suggestions would be welcome. Thanks