Logical to primary, with a twist

MacRevolution · 04 Jul 2011

First off, I'm fairly equally skilled with Windows (especially the NT kernel family), Mac OS (from System 7, c. 1991, to OS X Snow Leopard), and Ubuntu Linux (8.04 to 11.04). That said, I prefer Mac OS X, as it doesn't have issues like these.

I'm trying to repartition my hard drive into two equally sized partitions: one for an existing Windows 7 install, and the other for a pending Ubuntu 11.04 install. My computer originally came with Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit, but the computer (an HP Pavilion a6400f) has a 64-bit CPU, so I decided to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I performed a clean install rather than an upgrade install, so there are two partitions: one for Windows Vista (Primary) and Windows 7 (Logical). Why it installed like this is beyond me, and it's giving me some trouble. I want to delete the Vista partition to make room for Ubuntu, but it's an active primary partition, so I can't delete it.

Is there any way I can transfer the files from (just) Windows 7 to an external hard drive, format and partition the internal hard drive, then transfer Windows 7 back into a primary partition on the internal, and make it bootable? I don't think I can just reinstall Windows 7, since it's an upgrade disk.

Any help would be appreciated.

Bare Foot Kid · 04 Jul 2011

Even though you prefer mac,

Logical to primary, with a twist-puking2.gif

I'll still help you; have a look through this info below.

It would be best to do a complete wipe of the Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive and then start the installation process again, have a look at Step One of the Optimize tutorial below; after you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, then boot the Windows 7 installation media to do the wipe secure erase to the HDD / SSD and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Whether you use diskpart to run either the clean all command to completely wipe a HDD / SSD or just the clean command to remove the format configuration data and don't use diskpart to create at least a single partition to do the installation to, letting the Windows installer do the format, the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition will be automatically issued, if you want to make your own decision whether this partition is added, study these two (2) options below.

If you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the clean all then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

MacRevolution · 04 Jul 2011

Even though you're a PC, I'll still thank you ^_^

I'm starting the backup process right now and will try the reformat and reinstallation tomorrow.

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day! America bless God! :)

Bare Foot Kid · 04 Jul 2011

And God bless you too! :)

Windows can't boot independently from an Extended/Logical drive, the "System" boot files must be stored on a Primary partition to execute; if the Primary is the first partition on the HDD you could do something like this but it would be far more trouble than it's worth.

System Reserved : Create for Dual Boot

MacRevolution · 04 Jul 2011

So, if I don't create the "system reserved" partition, will the one I create for Windows 7 be a primary partition?

Bare Foot Kid · 04 Jul 2011

If you do the clean all Step One then use Step Two #2 or #3 to create the partition(s) yes they will.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

MacRevolution · 05 Jul 2011

OK, all my data has been backed up, and I'm creating the system repair disc. I've got a 500 GB hard drive (well, it adds up to around 465 or so, but anyway), and I'd like to give Windows 7 about 300 GB of that. Just to double-check, if I don't want to create a system reserved partition, does the partition I create have to be 100 GB, or is anything above that OK? I'm assuming it'd be the latter, but just want to be safe.

Bare Foot Kid · 05 Jul 2011

Hello again mate.

After the clean all you can use Step Two #2 to create any size partition you need and using that method it will be a Primary.

MacRevolution · 05 Jul 2011

Gotcha. I elected to use a 200 MB System Reserved partition and a 300 GB Windows 7 partition. I should be able to put Ubuntu into the unallocated space after Win7.

Bare Foot Kid · 05 Jul 2011

Well done, have a look at this tutorial.

How to Dual Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu