Solved Moving Factory Image Partition, shrinking boot disk size

[gregrocker]

Here you go: Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download

Burn to DVD or write to 4+gb flash stick with Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[denisl]

Thank you!

 

[whs]

Hopalong X reported an issue I believe. I don't think it bothered him and I don't even know if he used the Paragon product.
Problems with the MS Reliability task (RACTask) and the reliability monitor crop up a lot.
Now when I use Paragon Migrate I get the problem.
When I do it all manually - you know

• SSD prep - align, partition
• Macrium reimage,
• change disk signatures
• Bootrec ..... to fix up boot files
• Check Trim & other things

It all goes well. RACTask remains totally functioning. But it's not turnkey.
If the Reliability analysis task isn't working I think what else.

If Paragon come back with an answer then I'll report back because in principle it's a good turn key solution.

I'll do it manually from now on. I'm just trying to be a good Corporate Citizen

Understand. No need to take any risks. The manual method is easy for us. But think of all these poor blokes that could not handle it. For them Paragon did a good job.

 

[denisl]

I want to practice installing a clean win7 build.
Can I install win7 on a new partition on my big HDD and boot from it to verify?

 

[SIW2]

Yes.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I wouldn't attempt that without first disconnecting the new SSD. Odd things can and will happen if you do installs with 2 drives attached.

Other than that, sure. It's just like if your SSD failed and you had to revert to a spinning drive.

I assume you are going to use a downloaded ISO, burned to a DVD?

 

[denisl]

yes, I have the iso already burned to DVD.
Here's my partition layout:

Can I shrink partition K and create a new partition L that's 60GB and specify partition L during the Win7 installation?
I don't want to format and overwrite my big hdd. I want to limit my testing to just the new partition L.

Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, follow the same steps given here: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

 

[whs]

You can do that. Just be aware that the bootmgr for that new installation will land in the 100MB system partition on that disk. So you will end up with a double boot situation on disk0.

 

[mjf]

You can do that. Just be aware that the bootmgr for that new installation will land in the 100MB system partition on that disk. So you will end up with a double boot situation on disk0.

Well the BCD boot entry will.

 

[whs]

You can do that. Just be aware that the bootmgr for that new installation will land in the 100MB system partition on that disk. So you will end up with a double boot situation on disk0.

Well the BCD boot entry will.

Correct Michael. Sorry for the loose language.

 

[denisl]

What's a double boot situation?

Thanks all for your patience as I learn....

 

[whs]

Double boot is when you have 2 BCDs of 2 different systems in 1 bootmgr.

 

[denisl]

Are there any concerns or precautions I should take having 2 BCDs in 1 bootmgr?

Also I moved my Bootmg to C already using easyBCD when installing my SSD. Does that affect anything.

 

[whs]

The way I understand your plan is that you want to install an additional OS on the HDD. This should not really effct your SSD especially as the HDD is on a lower port than the SSD.

But that second OS on the HDD will put the BCD into the little 100MB partition. That is a completely normal procedure. So you should make sure that this little partition is not being deleted, else you will not be able to boot anything from the HDD. And if you want to boot from the HDD, you have to change the BIOS boot sequence.

 

[gregrocker]

You are running a test install on the HD to see how it works, so that you can clean reinstall to the SSD if it works out?

That's fine, but when you get ready to clean reinstall to the SSD, dont' forget to unplug the HD so it doesn't intefere. Later we can help you wipe the HD using Diskpart Clean Command.

 

[denisl]

Got it.
Thank you very much!!!

I'll post back if I run into any issues.

 

[denisl]

Ok, I installed a fresh Win7 on a partition on my sata hdd. I'm writing this post from that instance.
When I boot I get an options to install "Windows 7" or "Windows 7". I assume this is in the bootmgr which is the 100mb partition? How do I rename one of them so I can tell which is which?

 

[whs]

Renaming Entries - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

Go to the "Edit Boot Menu" tab.

 

[denisl]

Perfect! Thanks.

So my next question...
Once I get this "test" Win7 install to where I want it I plan to:
1. Backup my SSD with Reflect (Image backup)
2. Clone my "test" Win7 partition with Paragon

Do I need to use easyBCD to move my bootmgr to C like I did for my HP Win7 build that is now on my SSD?

Thanks