Moving Factory Image Partition, shrinking boot disk size

whs · 06 Feb 2012

1. How did you transfer your OS. I suspect it is still booting from the 100MB partition on the HDD. Try to boot from the SSD with the HDD disconnected. Then we know.

2. Understand that you want to consolidate your space. But creating a big partition first and then shrinking that is not so swift. Disk management may not let you shrink as you like and you would have to resort to an OEM program.

I suggest you first make a partition plan and allocate the unallocated space accordingly.

denisl · 06 Feb 2012

I installed the OS on the SSD with the HDD disconnected. There is no dependancy on the HDD for the SDD to boot. I can still boot from the HDD if I wish - I have 2 Win7 installations on that HDD currently, which I don't need.

I guess I can just copy the files from the HDD I wish to keep onto my USB drive, reformat the HDD then layout my partitions as I wish...

So, why does the SSD not use the 100MB partition like the HDD does?
Thanks

ignatzatsonic · 06 Feb 2012

Whether or not you end up with a system reserved partition depends on the exact technique used during the install.

It has nothing to do with being an SSD or HDD.

The default method will give you a system reserved. System reserve is typically avoided by using diskpart during the install.

gregrocker · 06 Feb 2012

You moved the System boot files into the Win7 partition - most likely it was a feature offered in your imaging app like "Copy MBR and Track1" which you selected while imaging over C.

To accomplish what you want, delete D and G in C's Disk Management, then create a new partition D there to copy your data into.

If G will not delete, open an Elevated Command Prompt, type:
Diskpart
List disk
Sel disk 0 (confirm this is G disk #)
List part
Sel part 1 (confirm this is G partition #)
Delete partition override
Exit

Now you can create a new partition in the space from D and G, copy your data over, then delete the rest of the partitions on the HD in Disk Mgmt, extend the new data partition D all the way across:
Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Create New
Partition or Volume - Extend

denisl · 07 Feb 2012

I did a fresh install of win7 from the home premium iso link you provided and used my key on the side of my computer label to install. I thought maybe the 100MB partition was unique to HP's build since my fresh install of Win7 on my SSD didn't create the 100MB partition.

whs · 07 Feb 2012

Usually you do not get the 100MB partition when you install into a predefined partition. Was there a partition on your SSD to which you installed ??

gregrocker · 07 Feb 2012

It looks like you might have prepartitioned the SSD rather than letting the installer's Custom>Drive Options do it or just click Next and the installer will do it itself before commencing install.

When you prepartition it will not create the 100mb but just install to the partition you select by clicking.

whs · 07 Feb 2012

Same second, same thought. We are really synchronized.

gregrocker · 07 Feb 2012

And in the same time zone this time of year!

denisl · 07 Feb 2012

OK - makes sense now. The SSD already had a partition.
I guess this thread is officially done!

Thanks again guys for all your help. My system is 1000% better than when I started this post! :)