Can't log into the second partition

dfs4 · 19 Jan 2010

I have two partitions, the first one vista that came with the laptop and the second one I installed windows 7. I had to reinstall windows 7 again this morning because of a virus and while I was at it I restored the vista to original factory settings afterwards. Now when I go to msconfig.exe ... it doesn't show windows 7 and it also on startup I don't get whether I want to log in to first or second partition. Is there a way to get into the second partition(windows 7 on D drive)?

Saltgrass · 19 Jan 2010

From Vista, you might try opening an administrative command window and type:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

This should give you an option to add any Windows installs not currently in the boot menu.

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The utility bootrec.exe does not appear to be in the basic Vista or Win 7 install, so it probably has to be run from the Install DVD using the Command function in the repair area.

gregrocker · 20 Jan 2010

Did you choose to only restore the one partition to factory condition? Normally the recovery will overwrite the whole HD unless you specify one partition if/when that option is given.

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map. https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...en-forums.html

dfs4 · 20 Jan 2010

the recovery only restores drive C to original factory settings. doesn't affect drive D. I can use the files on D drive.

since this afternoon I have made another change. I installed win7 64bit on C drive(previously vista 64bit). one thing here that drives me absolutely crazy is that it won't let me install win7 32bit on C drive. I keep getting 'you can't install 32bit windows on a 64bit windows'.

Now I don't know how to install 32bit on C drive. Is there a way to format it if there is then how because it won't let me format it. this is a dell 1545. In any case I have had to create another partition to install the 32bit windows and I can't get into it without having to reinstall it again.

but I would like to know if it is possible to install 32bit windows on C drive, since it seems it is saying I can't install win7 32 bit on this 64bit hardware(not sure if that is dell or MS doing that.. in either case this is beyond frustrating. why can't I use my laptop for 32 or 64bit OS.. it is rendering it useless in a way if I can't do so.)

p.s. drive G is a virtual drive. I have mounted the win7 installation files via virtualclone drive.

Minotar · 20 Jan 2010

dfs said:

but I would like to know if it is possible to install 32bit windows on C drive, since it seems it is saying I can't install win7 32 bit on this 64bit hardware(not sure if that is dell or MS doing that.. in either case this is beyond frustrating. why can't I use my laptop for 32 or 64bit OS.. it is rendering it useless in a way if I can't do so.)

You cannot downgrade to 32 bit from 64bit without a workaround.
Are you going to try upgrade or clean install?

If clean install download the partituion boot disc and burn it to a cd
Free Download Partition Wizard

Boot using the disc>select Resolution one (turn on numpad)>ok to all other messages.
Right click on C: and click format. Format as NTFS and Primary>click apply
Right click on the partition again and click modify>set as active>apply

Reboot with the Win7 DVD and install the 64bit OS

Or
Boot from the Win7 disc>Install>advanced>Format>format C:>then install to C:

gregrocker · 20 Jan 2010

You need to boot the 32 bit installer to install to C: drive, and to get Drive Tools to delete/create/format HD.

You can't run a 32 bit installer from a 64 bit OS, even mounting it virtually.

burn the ISO to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify, then boot the DVD, select Custom install, use Advanced drive tools to delete whatever partitions you don't want, create New partition(s) you do want, then format before intalling Win7 where you want it.