Triple boot, can't install vista

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management drive map, using SNipping Tool in Start Menu.

An OS can be installed to a Logical partition, but it's boot files cannot be on a Logical partition.

If your System Active dual boot files for XP/Vista are located on SysReserved partition then Vista should update those files for a multi-boot, and thus not require being on a Primary partition to boot from.

But we can't know for sure until we see screenshot. You may want to get rid of a useless utility partition or convert a data partition to Logical so you can make use of all 4 Primary partitions allowed.

What is the exact error message you are receiving when you attempt to boot Vista DVD to install to the Logical partition you've created?

I see you are using a restore disk for install. Have you used this before to install to a selected partition? Does it give special options during install or is it a regular Vista installer for your licensed version?

The SysReserved is indeed System Active controlling the dual boot for XP/Win7, so now Vista needs to update that to add itself to the MBR. You say is balking at installing on a logical partition. You only have 3 primary partitions so what I would do is boot free Partiton Wizard bootable CD, wipe the Vista partition, Create a new one, label it Vista and make it Primary. Then try installing Vista to it.

Here are the DISKPART Commands to do the same thing from the booted Win7/Vista DVD repair console or Repair CD Command Line. Press SHift F10 at first screen, in Command box type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (replace # with Vista Disk #)
LIST PARTITION
SELECT PARTITION # (replace # with Vista partition #, be certain)
DELETE PARTITION
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
ASSIGN LETTER=F
FORMAT
EXIT

If the Vista restore disk balks at installing to Primary, then make note of exactly what happens during the boot and install sequence up to the error and copy the exact wording and numbers of the error to post back. A camera snap would be perfect.

Shayx said:

wipe vista..don't understand...there is no vista installed its just an empty volume.
the cd is hp recovery cd but its a full vista installation like any other.
i get to the partition choose in vista installation and it says partition 3 logical, i can't install on it.

is there a quick way to make it primary like using diskpart or some other tool like hirens?
i need to install and ship it pronto.

SInce you need to reformat the Vista target partition as Primary anyway, I suggested wiping it because in rare cases underlying code (like GRUB) can block install.

But you can Delete, Create a New Primary partition, and format using DISKPART commands I typed out for you in last post.

Vista should update boot critical files to first Active partition (SysReserved) however if it writes them into the Vista partition, then you'll need to install EasyBCD 2.0 beta to add XP and WIn7 back to the Multi-Boot Menu.