Windows 7: Reinstall Windows 7 Partition Problem

I am trying to reinstall Windows 7 onto a computer and am finishing up with two partitions - a FAT32 one and an NTFS one. On boot-up it seems to recognise that I have two bootable partitions anf offers me the facility to boot into Windows 7, or the older system (I think). I do not want this - I want to boot straight into Windows.

On installation of Windows, it recognised the two partitions, but will not allow me to overwrite the FAT32 system

I do not really want the FAT32 partition, but cannot really find a way to remove it. I have tried to make the Windows 7 partition the Active one, but it then fails to boot

Is there any way that I can deal with this - if necessary keep the FAT32 system, but tell the boot mechanism to boot into the NTFS partition?



I am happy to trash the HDD and start again, if necessary

Try Cleaning the HD Drive first, using the CLEAN command (no need to use CLEAN ALL) in Step One in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Clean Install Windows 7

Can you not simply delete all the partitions during the install ?
It`s not letting you do this ?

Yes, the installer will always allow you to delete a partition using Custom install Drive Options during Clean Install Windows 7.

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:

1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, click New, draw a box around full drive map and all listings.
5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.

Tell us what is on each partition.

My guess would be that your bootmgr is in the Fat partition. Do what Greg asked for and we'll see.

Guys

Thank you - I have read the various articles you have pointed me to, and have decided to take the 'nuclear option' - using the partition management facility in the Windows 7 installation process to Delete all but one of the partitions and use that to install the OS. Thus far, it is working - installed, rebooted, and I am applying the updates. So far so good.

If I have any further questions, I will come back to you