Multiboot configuration, XP and Win7

7user78 · 22 Sep 2012

Hello there, I have a situation and I need some help.

On a system with 2 HDD's (please find attached print screen) I just wanted to know how can I remove without any boot problems, the SYSTEM G: partition which is a sector by sector clone of SYSTEM D: made by EaseUS Todo Backup partition tool in order to have a final scheme like :

Disk0 : Win7 x64 drive C: , Database D,E,F
Disk1 : System (XP) drive G: ,Database H,K

As far as we can see, the drive D it's found as a System in the status field.Not so sure why the clone of this drive , is not found as a System too...

Second, I'm not sure if the Win 7 is started by boot files/sequences found on drive D.

If help, the bootloader listing looks like this :

There are a total of 3 entries listed in the bootloader.

Default: Windows 7
Timeout: 30 seconds
EasyBCD Boot Device: D:\

Entry #1
Name: Earlier Version of Windows
BCD ID: {ntldr}
Drive: D:\
Bootloader Path: \ntldr

Entry #2
Name: Windows 7
BCD ID: {current}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe

Entry #3
Name: Microsoft Windows XP
BCD ID: {747ea207-04b9-11e2-8fb5-0019d18ff996}
Drive: D:\
Bootloader Path: \NST\easyldr1

Should I edit somehow the bootloader to avoid any future problems if I remove the drive D ?
Please ignore the unallocated space, the free space will be realocated.

many thanks,
7user78

gregrocker · 22 Sep 2012

If G is a bootable XP OS (which you don't say for sure) then it is indeed booting off of D since it doesn't have its own System flag. So it can be deleted in Disk Mgmt and have the entire space created into a new Partition.

The partitioning is very messy with a 50gb System partiition which is typically only 100-200mb - was this previously a System Recovery partition? - and the rest including Win7 all collected into an extended Logical partition.

You should consider moving the data off to wipe the HD and competently reinstall Win7 to the first partition closest to the disk reader for faster read/writes.

Here are steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Until then you can give the 25gb Logical partition a letter to access it's space:
Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

7user78 · 22 Sep 2012

Hello,
thank you for you answer, the things are going like this :
*regarding the G partition ,as I've mentioned earlier, this is a clone of D but ,as we can see in computer management status field , without boot sequence (not so sure why is that) - this is the reason why I am afraid to erase the system, active drive D.

*regarding the size, I've made that 50G's system partition (D,G,C) thinking about filling the program files with large apps.The rest of the partitions is it true, are made only for storage (E,F,K, etc)

Is it ok to make a Primary system partition of a few Gb's and after that to install apps on extended logical "next to" ...partitions ?

*moving the data off to wipe the HD and competently reinstall Windows 7 will be the last solution because in this moment I don't have a backup HDD to save the whole data.That's why I am trying to reach this config :

Disk 0 : moving the Win7 at the beginning of the HDD (partition C: ) and after that ,data storage partitions D,E,F. Disk 1: as I 've mentioned System (XP) drive G: ,Database H,K.

I've read these posts but I can't find sisparv6.cmd (perhaps this can be a good solution).Also I have read about Startup repair in Win 7 and but something is missing .I can't make partition D and G inactive ,in order to be able to run Startup repair for Win 7 Partition.

By the way ,do you have any idea why there is no 100MB on my HDD partition made by Win7 for boot sequence? This is not always a "must have" ?
still looking for the solution

thank you,

gregrocker · 22 Sep 2012

Both Win7 and XP are booted off of D. The idea of making it larger to install Programs is not a good one as Programs write registry keys that integrate themselves into the OS so should be on the OS partition.

There is no 100mb System Reserved partition because the disk was already partitioned when you installed Win7 to the partition way over at the right end away from the disk reader, apparently choosing to put its boot files on a 50gb partition which serves no purpose except to put the boot files at risk since it has a drive letter which such a partition should not. Did you even think to ask before doing any of this goofyness?

Your idea to move Win7 over to D after backing up its data would be the best. Use a flexible imaging program like Macrium - Image your system using its boot disk to reimage the stored image to the deleted space of D - selecting during the reimaging process to make it a Primary partition C. Then Mark Partition Active to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times. Once the newly imaged Win7 starts up and is labeled System Active you can delete C and use its space.

7user78 · 23 Sep 2012

I appreciate it,
I will apply ur recomandations, thanks, a primary active partition ONLY for OS and near this one ,Logical extended partition with installed program files .Believe me , this is the first time when I've heard this method.More than that , Windows have a program files folder integrated that guide me to the idea that program files should stay on the OS partitions. whatever ,let's skip this part .

talking about the 100MB reserved partition, now I understand why at the first you recommend to install to fresh partition (the best place for the OS to live is always at the beginning of HDD.

"... goofyness" :) I know ,.. my fault but at that time , there was the only option for me , I had only one HDD and was not informed about moving/resize a partition and stuff about managing HDD's.Anyway, that's why I'm here now, hope will learn some tips & tricks.

Enough with talking :) Let me try this ...
regards,

LE: I've read some facts (?!) when there are 2 HDD's , each with an OS Installed (my case XP/Win 7), there is no Choosing OS Boot menu available, this operation has to be made directly from Bios choosing the desired OS to boot is that right ?

I wanted to know if there is an option to choose the OS accesing the Boot menu screen, having 2 OS's on 2 different HDD's.
Thanks,

gregrocker · 23 Sep 2012

No, once again I just explained the Program Files should always be on C partition. So if you need C to be larger after reimaging, use Partition Wizard CD Resize function to delete the old C, slide the Logical partitions over to the right and extend the new C Primary partition to the right.
Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition Video Help.

It is best to boot into OS's on separate HD's via the BIOS setting the preferred OS HD to boot first, then using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to trigger the other one. To achieve this, unplug the other HD when installing a new OS. So if you want XP again unplug Win7 HD to install XP to its HD.

7user78 · 23 Sep 2012

I forgot about booting by having 2 separate OS's each one on the separate HDD, inspired by this article (please find this screenshot) .

Talking only about Disk0, is it better now ?
(the dual boot is working fine, at the first boot atempt, I've received the ntoskrnl.exe error trying to enter in XP but I fix that with EasyBCD changing the XP Bootloader Path from \ntldr in \NST\ntldr).

Anyway, one more thing , not so sure if it's right to mentain the win7 partition Logical (can't make it Primary.)

any new suggestions will be much appreciated,
best regards,

gregrocker · 23 Sep 2012

You can have Win7 on a Logical partition, but I wouldn't want the System partition to be on a data drive as it is now. Better to shrink it down only to the boot files after moving all of the data off or deleting the Programs you said you installed on it by uninstalling and reinstalling them to C as they should be. There should be no files showing on D in Explorer when done since the System boot files are hidden.

Using Partition Wizard boot disk only, rightclick D to Resize, drag it's right border to the left to make it around 200mb, click OK. Next rightclick C to Resize, drag it's left border all the way to the left to take up the space, OK, Apply both steps.

Once this is done remove the drive letter from D as it should have none so that no programs write to the System partition - another reason it shouldn't also be a data partition. Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

7user78 · 24 Sep 2012

I guess there is a misunderstood :) The drive D (System) is the drive with XP on it, I've renamed it, when I've Installed the OS on it and there was only this HDD (System partition - XP - and Databases.

This is not the Win7 SYSTEM partition.There are Programs installed on C: Win7 (x64) applications and also there are apps installed on XP (D drive) which become (C) drive when I choose to enter in XP.

That make sense ? :)

LE: the drive G also it's a database partition

gregrocker · 24 Sep 2012

In your first post you said quite clearly that XP was on G on DISK1. Did you reinstall it to D partiiton on Disk0?

If so and D is XP then it is also booting Win7 as signified by it's System Active flag.

This configuration is fine as long as performance is good and it's booting correctly with the booted OS showing as C.