Windows 7: "system reserved" on the second HDD?

albert1234 · 22 Feb 2010

I have just bought a laptop. Looking to HDDs I realized that "system reserved" is on the second drive(e:\) whereas windows7 is on the first drive( c:\)
Now I wonder What would happen if I exchange my second HDD? As far as I know "system reserved" contains files which are used during boot. So could I face a disaster while booting the computer after having removed the first HDD?

zigzag3143 · 22 Feb 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by albert1234

I have just bought a laptop. Looking to HDDs I realized that "system reserved" is on the second drive(e:\) whereas windows7 is on the first drive( c:\)
Now I wonder What would happen if I exchange my second HDD? As far as I know "system reserved" contains files which are used during boot. So could I face a disaster while booting the computer after having removed the first HDD?

Absolutely correct. system reserved (and the hidden boot) needs to be left where they were installed

Ken

Saltgrass · 22 Feb 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by albert1234

So could I face a disaster while booting the computer after having removed the first HDD?

Yes....But you can recover...

Did you load Win 7 on the system?

Can you attach a snipping tool picture of your disk management window?

gregrocker · 22 Feb 2010

The Windows 7 System MBR can be recovered into Windows 7 after removing the 100mb System Reserved partition. Here's how:

Mark Windows 7 partition active using Diskpart from Repair CD/Windows 7 DVD, or 3rd party Partition manager.

Boot into Windows 7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the MBR to Windows 7 partition.

albert1234 · 23 Feb 2010

Thankyou for helping me. I have a attached a picture of my system.There are two HDDs. The partition on Disc on disc 2(which does not exist physically) is for bitlocker purposes.
A last question: Why shall I perform the repair procedure three times?

woebetide · 23 Feb 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by zigzag3143

Absolutely correct. system reserved (and the hidden boot) needs to be left where they were installed

Why?
You can move the files to the 1st disk!

Code:

Copy bootmgr, bootsect.bak and boot-directory’s files from d: to c:

bcdedit /export c:\Boot\BCD
bcdedit /store c:\Boot\BCD /set {9dea862c-5cdd-4e70-acc1-f32b344d4795} device partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\Boot\BCD /set {b2721d73-1db4-4c62-bf78-c548a880142d} device partition=c:
"  bcdedit /store c:\Boot\BCD /set {466f5a88-0af2-4f76-9038-095b170dc21c} device partition=c:  '

Windows 7 DVD:\BOOT\BOOTSECT /NT60 c: /FORCE

DISKPART
  select disk 0
  select partition 1
  active

Reboot

{466f5a88-0af2-4f76-9038-095b170dc21c} = the GUID for NTLDR.
{b2721d73-1db4-4c62-bf78-c548a880142d} = the GUID for Diagnostic Tools
{9dea862c-5cdd-4e70-acc1-f32b344d4795} = the GUID for the Boot Manager

So the {466f5a88-0af2-4f76-9038-095b170dc21c} is not needed ( only for xp )

BUT gregrocker's method is easier I think

Saltgrass · 23 Feb 2010

I have no experience with bitlocker and how it works. I heard once the System Reserve partition was used in conjunction with that. If you currently have your drives set up to use it, I would have to do some extra research and testing.

Maybe someone else would know for sure.

albert1234 · 23 Feb 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Boot into Windows 7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the MBR to Windows 7 partition.

Does this work if the system partition is encrypted?

gregrocker · 23 Feb 2010

I believe System Reserved partition supports Bitlocker. If you are using Bitlocker then I would leave it in place or try moving it to DISK0 after making a Windows 7 backup image so you have a path back.

The way I would move it is to use free Partition Wizard bootable CD. Rightclick Windows 7>Resize then slide border over to make space for SysReserved partition, OK.

Now rightclick SysReserved>Copy to new space created for it, OK. Then delete original SysReserved partition, OK, Apply all Steps.

If necessary, boot Windows 7 DVD repair console, click through to Startup Repair to run up to 3 separate times with reboots to repair or rewrite the MBR onto DISK0.

albert1234 · 23 Feb 2010

Thankyou guys,

I think I should have managed this before I encrypted drives(!6hrs). So I will first take action when I have to do this for another reason.

Windows 7: "system reserved" on the second HDD?

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