Formatting Vista partition after installing Seven

Hi all,

I know there are many threads revolving around this subject, but I couldn't find answer to my problem.

I have 4 partitions in the only disk I have. Please find the snapshot attached. I have also attached a disk info which I got using windows diskpart tool. I had formatted a previous data partition (partition 3, volume 2) to install windows 7 in it using a DVD. Now that I'm happy with 7, I want to format the Vista partition (partition 2, volume 1) and use the space, and if possible, combine it with the last partition (partition 4, volume 3). I also want to keep in mind that I don't want to delete the recovery partition (partition 1, volume 4) because I have not been able to make recovery disks due to some issues (which I have not been able to resolve). BTW I would also like you to help me on this thread regarding MBR issues in Disk2Disk recovery (probably happened while installing 7). Also, I have backed up data from Vista drive to 7 drive and I don't have any external medium to backup my data to. But if extremely necessary, I can arrange one. So I would prefer not to clean install everything. I really need some very good tips on this one. Thanks!

The AudGuy said:

Hi all,

I know there are many threads revolving around this subject, but I couldn't find answer to my problem.

I have 4 partitions in the only disk I have. Please find the snapshot attached. I have also attached a disk info which I got using windows diskpart tool. I had formatted a previous data partition (partition 3, volume 2) to install windows 7 in it using a DVD. Now that I'm happy with 7, I want to format the Vista partition (partition 2, volume 1) and use the space, and if possible, combine it with the last partition (partition 4, volume 3). I also want to keep in mind that I don't want to delete the recovery partition (partition 1, volume 4) because I have not been able to make recovery disks due to some issues (which I have not been able to resolve). BTW I would also like you to help me on this thread regarding MBR issues in Disk2Disk recovery (probably happened while installing 7). Also, I have backed up data from Vista drive to 7 drive and I don't have any external medium to backup my data to. But if extremely necessary, I can arrange one. So I would prefer not to clean install everything. I really need some very good tips on this one. Thanks!

Your goals are admirable, but.

First recovery will only help you if you wish to go back to vista.
Second you can have but 5 partitions, and only one active.


So what besides the above do you want to do?
Stay with vista?
Go to win 7?
Dual boot (vista and win 7)?
or some variant. Im confused

Ken

Heh. I'll take that as a compliment. :) Well, I want to keep the recovery partition to keep the option to switch to vista open. And as I currently have dual boot (vista and 7), I want to uninstall vista and stay with 7. So finally, my dream :) is to have 3 partitions, one each for recovery (as it's already there), windows 7 (which is there too), and the last one for data (combining the current vista drive with E:\ drive. Thanks.

Hi,

You can d/l this: sisparV5.zip

Rt click and run as admin on sispar.cmd - select C when asked for partition and select N to adding existing boot menu entries.

Restart and C will be the "system" partition.

Boot the free Partition Wizard Bootable CD .

Rt click D ( vista) and delete. Ok and Apply.

Rt click the 7 partition, select Move/Resize . Grab the CENTRE of 7 partition and drag LEFT so the unallocated ( grey ) space you just created is on the RIGHT of 7 partition. OK and Apply.

Will take a few mins as the data on 7 partition needs to be moved.

You can then incorproate the unallocated space into E using Move/Resize.

That's it.

You may find if you mark Recovery partition Active, you will boot up the Acer recovery program.

You could also unhide the recov partition , give it a drive letter and add it to 7 boot menu.

How do you mean you're not sure if it's feasible?

I just gave the steps to do it. LOL.

The Aud Guy,
One thing good about this forum (amongst many good points) is that you will get several solutions and opinions.

Personally, I'm a fanatic about using only Microsoft software to accomplish my objective where possible.

I've never used any of the partitioning software-only the partitioning software built into to Win 7.

Now you are going to need, for many reasons, to get yourself an external drive to use for backup purposes. On that one, you need to bite the bullet and make the purchase.

Another personal opinion is--never look back. In other words, forget for now and forever Vista. I can conceive of no reasons why one would hang that albatross around their neck.

Now when you decide which partitions you want to delete, then I and many others can give you solutions.

After the deletion and after you've decided what you want to do with that new found space, then once again several of us can provide you with a solution.

Nearly always, the proposal will be valid. Simply there are many roads that lead to Rome.

Here's what I'd do:
I'd wipe the disk 100% clean using DISKPART's clean command.
Then install Windows 7.

Of course, you will want to first backup any data which is dear to your heart, e.g., pics, music, videos, documents.

SIW2 is the supreme expert on dual boot removals. I love learning from him.

Any resizing operation can fail, although we haven't had one fail in 100+ we have helped with here using free Partition Wizard CD. However, you might still want to back up your data and a Win7 backup image so you could start over if necessary.

It would be worth buying an external drive, as a backup image is something you want to keep permanently since it makes reinstalls never again necessary -just reimage the HD (or a replacement) in 15 minutes.

You certainly have enough help by the experts. But let me throw in one additional suggestion. Rather than sticking to the Vista recovery partition, I would take an image of your todays Vista and store that on a few DVDs. The advantage is that you do not have to go thru hundreds of updates when you want to revive Vista. Here are some basic instructions how to do that and here is a detailed video tutorial that explains the whole imaging cycle.