Double installation causing problems

Skip to the * if you feel like TLDR.

So, after going through every trick in the book, I was unable to make browsing happen on a 64bit Win7 (any and every browser would randomly hang the system completely), so my only option was to switch to 32bit.

The first installation failed and got stuck in a black screen with a frozen cursor. After a restart the installer told me I could continue the installation after a reset, so I did that, only to be greeted with the same message. This happened over and over a few times, so I figured it's not going to work and I'll have to make a fresh install.

Then something mysterious happens and I'm not yet sure what exactly happened. In any case, the end result was that I still had some of my 64bit installation remaining including some files I downloaded while trying to make it work in addition to my 32bit installation on my other drive (which I was not planning on formatting). The only explanation I can come up with is that I somehow managed to format the wrong drive, not once, but twice.

*
And this is where my current problem begins. I'd very much like to format the drive with the 64bit stuff, but Windows won't let me. I've tried doing it from the command prompt but it says "Access Denied as you do not have sufficient privileges. You have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode." I'm the system admin! How can I not have sufficient privileges? And what is "elevated mode"?

Ok, so on we go to the Disc Manager. This time I'm greeted with "Windows cannot format the system partition on this disk.". Great.

Actually, now that I think about it, I suppose booting from the CD might do the trick. Still, for some reason the installer takes its time starting (was much faster in for the 64bit version) and I'm getting tired of playing with the boot order, anyway.

So, I'm wondering if there is any way to format a disc with system files from another Windows installation without going through the CD boot. Any solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Frein said:

Welcome to SevenForums.

Following will allow you to solve your problems:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

profdlp said:

Elevated Command Prompt:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

Meh, even doing this it still wouldn't let me. Why does it have to be so hard? I guess its for security reasons, or something.

myzr7 said:

Welcome to SevenForums.
I like this tutorial for all things that you may need. Try the option 3 wipe a partition. Good luck to you!
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

This wizard seems like the easiest and fastest way to do a secure erase. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

You may have the System MBR still on the 64 bit drive if you left it plugged during new install in or it's on the same HD as the new install. In that case, we can show you how to recover the System MBR and if desired the HD space into your new Win7 install.

gregrocker said:

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

You may have the System MBR still on the 64 bit drive if you left it plugged during new install in or it's on the same HD as the new install. In that case, we can show you how to recover the System MBR and if desired the HD space into your new Win7 install.

This is what it looks like:

Not sure what MBR stands for but disc 0 is the one with 64bit stuff I want to format.

edit: In other news, I just had my first browser crash in 32bit... this does not bode well. I guess my hardware isn't compatible with Windows 7.

Mark the D and E drives Inactive, then C drive Active using free Partition Wizard bootable CD, or using DISKPART commands from Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD Command Line: Partition - Mark as Active - Windows 7 Forums.URL

Unplug DISK0 and swap its cable to DISK1 or set it as first HD to boot in BIOS setup.

Then boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, accept any offered repair. If it fails to restart to WIn7, boot back in, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the System MBR to WIn7. Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times - Windows 7 Forums.URL

If you have a crash, start a new topic in our Crashes forum here where the real geniuses will help you upload a debugging report and find the problem for you.

I would also consider a clean reinstall to wiped HD as you have a partitioning mess there that could have caused some of your problems. Best to overwrite any conflicting code for the freshest slate: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums.URL

I did actually eventually do a new clean install with both drives completely wiped clean. For some reason I was unable to get the 32 bit installation through (always crashed at some point), so I just went back to 64 bit. Well, it doesn't really matter since I couldn't get my browsers stable in 32 bit, either. I've had a couple hangups so far but it's at least semi-stable.