Windows 7: Cannot format, boot problem, XP and Windows 7

Hey all,



I have two hard drives, one 360GB and one 500GB. I previuosly had XP stored on the 500GB drive, and decided to install Windows 7 Professional on the 360GB hard drive. Everything went fine, all was well. But then I decided to delete the files from the 500GB drive, which went well except for some permission problems.

However, when I went to format the 500GB drive, it wouldn't let me, saying Windows 7 could not complete the format. I wondered why, then went to disk management. It said the Windows XP drive was drive "0".

Additionally, whenever I load the computer, it asks me whether to choose Windows 7 or an "older installation".

I assume this is because the boot files are still on the "0" drive, which previously held all of the XP files.

Here is my question - how do I fix this? How do I fix the boot files to boot from my Windows 7 hard drive, which is C:? Do I copy the files from D:?

Doing some searching on the internet leads me to believe I can run the BCDBOOT command while in Windows 7, can I do this? Do I need to do this from the Windows 7 installation disk, or can I do it with the OS loaded up as per normal?

Additionally, if I move the boot files successfully, will this allow me to format the D: drive?

Thanks for your help!

There are some folks here that know more about this than I do, but for now, check the root directory of both drives and see if you can find a file called bootmgr and a folder named Boot. These are both hidden system files, so you have to adjust the view options to see them.

If they are on the XP drive and not the Win 7 drive, copy them to the Win 7 drive.

Reboot the computer and go into the bios and make the Win 7 drive the primary by setting it first in Drive priority, which makes it the primary drive. This is not to be confused with boot order since the DVD still needs to be first, but now it should show the Win 7 drive second in the boot order. Save the settings and Boot to the Win 7 install DVD

Look for the Repair option after selecting a language. From there try doing a startup repair. Hopefully the repair will find your Win 7 install and fix it.
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After more testing, I have re-evaluated the instructions. If you do not have or cannot use EasyBCD for some reason, instead of using the above procedures, try this.

Make the Win 7 drive the primary. Usually this is done in the bios. Boot to the Win 7 Install DVD, which should happen automatically since there are no boot files on the Win 7 drive. Select the language and then Repair from the lower right.

First make the Win 7 partition active. You can do this from a command prompt using DiskPart. If you use Shift+F10, you do not have to open a command window using the repair command window option.

After making the partition active, run the Startup Repair. It will take 2 maybe 3 runs. I did not think Startup Repair would replace the bootmgr and Boot folder, but it will.

Okay, no worries. Where can I find the "root directory"?

Why can't I just run the BCDBOOT in cmd prompt instead? Is there a problem with this method?

If you are using Windows Explorer, just open it, go to computer, and click the drive(C: or D: ).

Use Organize at the top of the window and select folder and search options, then view, then show hidden files and uncheck Hide protected files.

I am not sure, but it may be the EasyBCD 2.0 program may replace those files for you.

To tell you the truth, I do not know what that one does. It may assume the BCD store is already on the drive. If you installed Win 7 after XP, the BCD store was probably put on the XP drive.

You can get EasyBCD 2.0 by going to the below link and joining their forum.
http://neosmart.net/forums/

I agree with Saltgrass - think it is safer for you to use a little free program to do the job for you.

Download and install EasyBCD 2.0 Beta It will run the necessary commands for you , with the correct parameters.

(I assume 7 sees itself as C - if not , replace C with the drive letter for 7)

Run Easybcd , Click Diagnostics center , Dot Change boot drive, click Rescue my system - select C in drop down, OK.

It takes a few seconds.

To save going into Bios - download and install this excellent free app.

Paragon Partition Manager Free Edition

Run Paragon, in the main window, Rt click the XP drive and select Mark Inactive - Apply.

More than likely Windows 7 is using the bootloader from XP

Have you tried using start up repair from the Windows 7 disc?It should fixinstall the bootloader to Windows 7
Also try bootrec /fixboot then bootrec/fixmbr in the command line section of the repair console on the Windows 7 disc if it doesnt.

Follow SIW2's instructions,this is pretty much his area

Yep, Windows 7 sees itself as C.

And if I chance the drive to "inactive", it will let me format it, and use it for storing data as per normal?

Cheers.

You will need to restart after doing the Easy and Paragon actions.

Then you will be fine to format the Xp drive.

Excellent. Thanks for your help - I'll try those tonight and if they don't work I'll update the thread.

Click Full Scale Launcher to get to Paragon main window.

Post back and let us know how you got on.

Have Fun.