Windows 7 - Windows 7 x64 tramples partition tables

I had an XP machine, to which I added a second primary partition. Into this I installed Windows 7 x64 to give me an XP/Windows 7 dual boot.

I'm getting seriously disenchanted with Windows 7 x64 - it has given me nohing but grief when trying to get it setup, install drivers etc. More often than not, each time I install something it fails, and then it does the Chkdsk session next time I restart (either Windows 7 or XP) for the Windows 7 partition. Sometimes it has gone into the Chkdsk loop and I've had to use the installation disk to Repair it.

Anyway, I tried to use Creative Autoupdater, which as usual failed. then it went into Chkdsk loop - this time it went through, but then told me my product ID was invalid (obviously it isn't since I was able to install the basic system!). So I tried to do a repair from the inst disk, only to be told it can't because file structure is corrupt and can't be used, and one of the details said the partition tables were correct

I was still able to boot into XP OK, but everytime I touch anything to do with the Windows 7 partition explorer seems to freeze, and only way ok to powercycle. I use Acronis Disk Director, and when I can get that open, it show all the partitions where I left them. But I can't format or delete the Windows 7 partition - Acronis says it is locking it but it stalls right there.

Surely if the partition table was nadgered, I would not be able to boot XP or see the partitions

I am seriously thinking or giving up on Windows 7 and just settling for an XP system that, while old and cranky, at least works! Still want to get rid of that Windows 7 Partition, of course.

I would Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

I find that the multitude updaters that want to spy on your install cause nothing but grief. You'll do much better getting a perfect clean reinstall with the steps given below then running a Clean Boot with nothing in Startup except your AV and perhaps a messenger you must have on standby at all times.

Lean is mean, and lean is the mean for best performance. No tweaking beyond normal system settings, no optimizer suites, no startup freeloaders, no old Office Suites with 3 SP's and 100 updates which will tip over on weaker hardware.

Get it perfect the first time, then get an image: Reinstalling Windows 7

Thanks guys.

However, I decided in the end to dump XP anyway and go all Windows 7. I managed to get this going now and all looks OK - just waiting for a copy of Office 2003 to turn up and then I'll be fine.

Alreay started online gaming (Mortal Online) on it and it is well stable and fast

Keeping the XP partition for a bit to grab things from it - and I can still use it if required in safe mode.

Post up a screenshot of your maximized Disk management drive map and listings so we can see if you need to recover the System boot files into Windows 7 before deleting XP.

I'm sure I do, since my XP partition is the first on the disk. but I'm having problem where the XP desktop ends up with no icon, taskbar or CTL-ALT-DEL. However, I can still get into Safe Mode so I would imagein that the boot files in the XP partition are intact - otherwise I will have to do a clean XP install to get working boot files

Where is the requested screenshot? Screen Shots

You said you want to get rid of XP and keep Windows 7, right? We will give you the steps.