HP Elitebook 8440p, Dual OS Boot and Encrypting HDD

[JohnYFChin]

I have a HP Elitebook 8440p and it is configured with Windows XP Pro (32 Bit) and Windows 7 (64bit). Appreciate help on the following:

1. How do I go about in encrypting the entire HDD (since there are 2 OS) and will this cause any problems to either OS being able to boot up?

2.How and where do I go about in setting a simple BIOS password for boot up?

Thank you.

[erico]

HI,

Is it a single hard drive configuration or is a second disk installed in the drive caddy?

Best regards,

erico

[JohnYFChin]

Hi Erico,

It is a single 320 WD Sata HDD. Came std,. with the Elitebook.

Thanks.

Cheers,

John

[erico]

Hi,

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JohnYFChin wrote:

Hi Erico,

It is a single 320 WD Sata HDD. Came std,. with the Elitebook.

Thanks.

Cheers,

John

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I asked the question at Microsoft Technet about your single drive configuration, dual OS, cross OS boot blocks and Microsoft Bitlocker encryption. I doubt that I will have that answer today.

Consider adding another hard disk, putting an OS on each and using HP ProtectTools. You can put the security key on a USB thumbdrive. HP ProtectTools can be set up to protect pre OS bootup. That would take care of the need to password the BIOS.

Best regards,

erico

[JohnYFChin]

Thank Erico,

I actualy experimented with it and the Elitebook could no longer boot up so I have to do a reformat and reinstallation. I was also intending to load Linux on this drive once I get a larger HDD.

Product Idea - it would be super nice if I could get an Elitebook where I can pluck in and out my HDD drives (like the HP Proliant servers) and every drive could be encrypted differently and would only work on my Elitebook.

Have a great day.

[erico]

HI,

OK. That was what I thought but was not willing to say as I did not know for sure.

Best regards,

erico