Windows 7 - Removal of XP System boot partition from a W7 Dual boot

With an XP Pro/Windows 7 Pro Dual boot configuration, is it possible to do the following (see screen shot or DiskMgmt info of current config below):
1. Move boot data from XP partition to the Windows 7 (extended) partition
2. Make Windows 7 partition the Primary System partition
3. Format the XP partition
4. Extend/Expand the Windows 7 partition on to the available partition
I have seen and tried many of the so called solutions currently posted with no success. I can't help but notice that Microsoft does not currently offer a solution.
Alternatively, if the above is not currently possible (which seems to be the case), can I do the following:
1. Backup Windows 7 and my documents partition to another drive
2. Format the system drive
3. Re-install Windows 7
4. Successfully restore Windows 7 with the backup (retaining all programs & drivers).
If this is all that needs to be done, it's a no-brainer and should be recommended as the work around from MS. My only fear to taking this leap is for some possible unforseen reason, the restore function will not work with the new build.
Thanks in advance for any "sure and sound advice".
SojourningAlien
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently booted into Windows 7
DiskMgmt
Disk0 - 74.53GB - Online
WXP (D:)
9.77GB NTFS
Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition)
My Documents (E:)
40.75GB NTFS
Healthy (Logical Drive)
Windows 7 (C:)
23.93GB NTFS
Healthy (Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump, Logical Drive)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD. You 'll have to convert the Windows 7 Logical partition there to Primary first so that you can mark Windows 7 Active, then delete XP, resize Documents/Windows 7 extended partition into delete XP space, then boot into the Windows 7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup repair up to 3 separate times to write MBR to Windows 7.

[This is complicated by the Windows 7 partition being a part of Documents extended partition. You may need to include the Documents partition in all of the operations below involving Windows 7 partition. If you want to separate and move the Documents partition, or liquidate it into Windows 7 , ask back for additional steps.]

Boot PW CD, select 1 for screen resolution, rightclick Windows 7 logical partition>Modify>Convert to Primary, OK.

Rightclick converted Windows 7 Primary partition>Modify>Set to Active, OK.

Rightclick XP partition>Delete, OK.

Rightclick Windows 7 partition>Resize>slide left grey border to the left to take up deleted XP space, OK. Apply all steps.

Windows 7 will not now boot, so boot the 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 until it starts.

I have a similar issue. My windows 7 is the 2nd partition of my documents hard drive. I should have not done it this way, but I wasn't patient enough to wait when I built this system.

I'm planning on purchasing >= 1TB drive to use as my new Documents drive (SATA) and leave the current SATA drive as my OS drive.

In the meantime. What is the most efficient way to do this?

I can't make my Windows 7 partition active, so it won't boot from it, I'm trying to rid myself of the Windows XP drive. I just want to remove it from my case and leave it installed on there, in case I ever need it! LOL.

Why is D marked Active? A non-system drive should never be marked Active.

Assuming E is XP, unplug it, boot Partition Wizard bootable CD, select 1 for Screen Res, rightclick D>Modify>Set as Inactive, OK.

Next rightclick C>Modify>Convert to Primary, OK.

Next rightclick C>Modify>Set to Active, OK. Apply all steps.

Next 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 System MBR to Windows 7 and start it. Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

I personally would Copy C to the preferred lower left hand HD address using PW CD, after Resizing D from the left side by 60gb which is available. But first complete the above steps and save a Windows 7 backup image of finished job before deciding.

Not sure what you're saying here, I think i'm just not connecting which is the preferred lower left hand HD. However, I have a new 1TB drive that will be my storage drive. Will PWCD allow imaging of files etc? Because ideally, I'd like to do it this way.
1. Disconnect XP Drive
2. Connect new 1TB drive.
3. Boot PWCD
4. Create image of Windows 7 partition and D partition (already made separate zip backup to external HDD)
5. Do your steps listed above.
6. Run Bootup repair (up to 3 times).

Does that sound correct? Assuming PWCD can do the imaging etc.

In addition to file backup, I would save a Windows 7 Backup Image externally first: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

That is all the backup you need for this operation. Then follow the steps given above to unplug XP, mark D Inactive, C active, run Startup REpair x3.

The point about considering moving Windows 7 to the left hand partition on it's hard drive is because read times are slightly faster when the OS is in the preferred left hand side of the HD closer to where the disk reader parks.

But since you are attaching a 1tb HD for storage you can accomplish this easier afterward by copying the data from D over to the 1tb, then deleting D and resizing C into its space using PW CD.

With the System Image backup and data zipped externally, you have no need to copy anything with PW now, nor any reason to plug in the 1tb until after the System MBR is recovered into Windows 7 using the exact steps I gave you.

Going surfing will be back around 7 pm PST.

Thanks for your help man. I only preferrred to copy everything during the use of PWCD to make it so when I fixed the MBR and restarted the computer, I was ready to go, and didn't have some more work to do. I'm letting it run now and then I have to run the repair to fix the boot options.

Thanks again!

Other than backing up image and files externally beforehand, everything can be fixed in place and needs no further copying during repair. Just be sure to remove the XP HD so it doesn't interfere.