'Element not found' when trying to delete old Windows XP partition

Hi all,

I've been trying to (finally) get rid of my old Windows XP partition from the dual boot setup I've had for over 12 months now, but I'm struggling

I've been using the instructions from here:

Video: Remove Windows XP from a dual-boot configuration with Windows 7 | TechRepublic

It works OK until I try the step to write a new boot sector to the Windows 7 partition:

Bootrec /fixboot

which gives the error: 'Element not found'

I then have to run Startup Repair to get Windows 7 to boot. It fixes the problem and the log says:

"Partition table does not have a valid System Partition"

It repairs the partition table and when I get back into Windows 7, the Windows XP partition I deleted in DISKPART is back again!

I have Windows 7 installed on a 120Gb SSD and 2 x 2TB HDDs, one of which has Windows XP still installed on the 1st partition.

Can anyone assist me please?

Thanks
Steven

You can use Partition Wizard to create a bootable disc that you can use to delete the XP partition.
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

When you're done, boot back into your Windows 7 DVD and restore the Master Boot Record, as this Windows Seven Forums tutorial explains.

MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

Thanks for the quick reply!

That tutorial looks useful and I haven't tried that yet so will hopefully be able to give it a go tomorrow and get back to you in the next few days.

Thanks again
Steven

You're very welcome.

Please keep us posted with the outcome or post back if you need further help.

It may also help you to know that it pays to run a startup repair three times with a reboot between each one as the repair procedure does not necessarily fix everything with the first pass.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Hi,

I've done what you said but I'm afraid it didn't work

When I tried running bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr I got the following error:

The System partition was not found:
The requested system device cannot be found.

I read the help for bootsect and then tried:

bootsect /nt60 C: /mbr

which seemed to have worked, but I still can't get Windows 7 to boot without running a Startup Repair, which puts me back to square one (dual boot with XP).

I tried bootrec /fixboot again but still get 'Element not found'.

In Disk Management my Windows 7 drive shows (Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump, Primary Partition). My Windows XP drive shows (System, Active, Primary Partition).

Anything else I can try please?

Thanks
Steven

Try removing the Active flag from the Windows XP partition.

Partition - Mark as Inactive

Once you've done that, run the Startup Repair three times with a reboot between each one.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Yes, Seavixen,

That was the issue.

Is his win 7 partition primary?

Thanks again - I've removed the Active flag from the XP partition and I'll run the Startup Repair 3 times tomorrow night (hopefully).

After I've done that, should I just carry on as before and delete the XP partition using Partition Wizard and then I assume Windows 7 should be capable of booting on its own, is that right?

Cheers
Steven

SIW2 said:

Yes, Seavixen,

That was the issue.

Is his win 7 partition primary?

According to an earlier post, yes, it is.

CiaraJansonFan said:

Thanks again - I've removed the Active flag from the XP partition and I'll run the Startup Repair 3 times tomorrow night (hopefully).

After I've done that, should I just carry on as before and delete the XP partition using Partition Wizard and then I assume Windows 7 should be capable of booting on its own, is that right?

Cheers
Steven

You've got it in one.

Best of luck and I hope the outcome is a positive one.

Please update us as to to how you get on.