Remove XP from a dual boot system

After the failure last night I image-restored the system to where it was before I started, so I'll be starting from scratch.

By steps, I meant in the original "recover space..." post, Step 1 being Mark W7 partition as active; #2: Wipe XP partition and #3 Recover the space. I was just asking at which step I should try the Rescue Kit disk gregrocker recommended.

I'm going to try one more time with that disk handy just in case.

Ed

You would use the Rescue Disk to change back the drive letter if it locks you out of the OS with non-Geniune error again.

Here is how I remove first-partition XP from Dual Boot which has always worked for me:

Boot PW CD, rightclick XP Partition>Delete, OK.

Next rightclick Win7 partition>Modify>Set Active, OK. Then rightclick Win7>Resize, drag left grey border all the way to the left, OK.

Finally from the DIsk tab, click Rebuild MBR, OK. Apply all steps.

If Win7 doesn't start, boot into DVD Repair console or Repair CD, accept any offered Repair, if Win7 doesn't start on reboot boot back in to Recovery Option to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts.

I am concerned about the page file being on a separate HD and how it might affect these operations, only because I haven't seen it before in this situation. I wonder what others think.

If nothing that has been mentioned works (including Startup Repair, reactivating in Safe Mode, etc) then you can consider converting the WindowsImageBackup C drive .vhd file (judged by size when you browse into the sub-folder) to an Acronis .tib image to apply it alone to a single partition as Acronis allows. It works after Startup Repair and secures the drive letter up front.

If you have WD or Seagate HD's in the mix, Acronis has a free app on their Support Downloads webpage for your model.

OK!

Everything went exactly as before - ended up at the "not genuine" lockout. This time I put in the Paragon rescue disk gregrocker recommended and rebooted. After working with it, I think I've figured out the problem.

This machine is an 8+ year old Dell Dimension 8400. I've added drives, memory and a new video card to it over the years, but I never reformatted the C: drive. Dell installed in the first partition (just 78mb) some sort of OEM recovery software, and that appears to have been the problem.

The rescue disk would not reassign the Win7 partition to drive C until I released the OEM partition from drive C - at least I think that's what it was labeled, it wasn't clear - just lots of question marks next to it. When I released it, then I could release D partition (Win7) and reassign it to C.

I rebooted, it took a long time to come up, but it did in my original configuration. I've since rebooted several times and all seems to be as it should be, and reboot time is normal.

Thanks, gregrocker and barefoot and everyone else who helped. Couldn't have done it without your expert help.

EdB

Responding to your comments:

OEM/boot sector: I imagine you're right about the OEM partition being the problem; it's disconcerting to think it might've corrupted the boot sector though. I did think of recovering the OEM section but was uncertain what else Dell might've put in there that might render the computer unusable if removed.

As to re-formatting and reinstall, 1) I dread the thought of reinstalling everything (ever lost a day or three to reinstalling Adobe software? Nightmare!) and 2) I have the Win7 upgrade disk, not the clean install; doesn't it need to see a previous OS to qualify? How critical do you think a reinstall is?

And yes, I did run the three startup repairs before step 2. Still wound up with the blue screen "not genuine" message.

Thanks,
EdB

Oh, yes! I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear!

All works fine now after using gregrocker's Repair disk to reorder the letters. XP is gone, Win7 has the bulk of the drive, and the OEM partition sits there lurking like a virus. Here's a shot of the disk config: