I want to extend a preset partition called system to make a multiboot.

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  1. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    I want to extend a preset partition called system to make a multiboot.


    Heres my situation: I have Windows 7 already installed on my computer, but i want Windows Vista installed as a second OS. I thought it would be simple, make a primary partition and install it. But it wasnt even close to being that easy. I have a preset partition called "system" that was set by HP. This is set as the active partition. When I try to install windows vista i get an error:
    this computer does not have enough space for temporary files.
    Windows installation needs atleast 481 megabytes (MB) of space on
    any partition for temporary files. To install Windows, free enough space
    and restart the installation.

    Error Code: 0x80070103

    I found out that when i was trying to install vista that it was looking at the active partition to place temporary files. The system partition only has 199 MB. I tried to extend the system partition, but the option is browned out. I tried to extend it from the command line next using diskpart, but still i was not able to extend it. So i just made a new partition with enough space to install vista and set that as the active partition. When i did that, i could no longer boot windows 7. Its an either or thing, it just wont let me have both. I cannot delete the active system partition because it contains boot files for windows 7, which is why when i changed the active partition i was not able to boot windows 7. I do not want to rebuild my machine, i just want to force the system partition to extend to 5 GB. What can i do?
    I also tried to backup the system partition so i could transfer the files to a larger partition, but i cant do that either. And whatever files are on this partition, i cannot view them from explorer, even if i change the file settings to view hidden files and folders.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    Hello Z012495, welcome to the forum

    Have a look at this; Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,781
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
       #3

    You were almost there - when you created a new partition to install Vista into, that was all you needed.

    Unfortunately, you then made it active which was your mistake. :) It doesn't need to be - Vista can live in a regular primary partition or even a logical one as long as the system partition (the one containing the boot files for both Windows 7 and, eventually, Vista) is the active one.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    But the system partition doesnt have enough space for vistas temporary files. And to have equilibrium between the two operating systsms, the system partition must be the active partition when vista is installed. I tested my theory by installing a second windows 7. And windows 7 installed, but vista gives me the space error. So the system partition must be extended, but my computer will not allow me to do it from disk management or the command line. I need a way to force it.
      My Computer

  5.   My Computer


  6. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I want to extend a preset partition called system to make a multiboot.-computer-management.png

    I want to extend a preset partition called system to make a multiboot.-cm2.png

    I want to extend a preset partition called system to make a multiboot.-cm3.png
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #7

    Are you sure you are choosing partition 3 to install to?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Vista wont let me get as far as to select a partition to install on, as soon as i start the set up i get the error about not having enough space.
    I want to extend a preset partition called system to make a multiboot.-vista-error.png
    I get this as soon as i click install.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Now if i change active partitions i can select a partition to install on, but then inside vista, the partition i mark active to install becomes the permanent active partition, and then i cannot boot windows 7. If i change the active partition back, then i cannot boot windows vista.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #10

    Did I understand your configuration right: you have win7 and vista installed now. Is that correct?
    If so: Don't make vista partition active. Reboot and of course you only see win7 and bootmenu isn't even displayed because there's only one operating system available (win7). Only step to perform is "add vista to bootmenu"

    Try "startup repair" from "recovery environment" does it find vista? If it doesn't fix your problem, startup in vista and post output of:
    BCDEDIT /enum all
    do this in an elevated command prompt
      My Computer


 
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