Reinstalled Win7, getting dual boot options but I only want one

[lose311]

Last time I installed Win7 Ultimate 64, it was after I had erased all my hard drives and reformatted them. I always install Windows to my SSD (C), but last time my media drive (E) was empty so Windows put the "boot" folder in E but the rest of Windows in C as I wanted. Now that I have re-installed Windows again on C, whenever I boot up I get the dual boot screen, asking if I want to boot "Windows 7" or "Windows 7". I choose the first one and it takes me to my newly installed Windows. How can I get rid of the second dual boot option? I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that my E drive has a system tag on it in the Computer Management screen (see attachment). I don't mind if I have to reformat any of the drives, I can move my files around no problem.. just want to know what I need to do to fix this. I'm still in the early stages of setting up my apps/settings, so if I have to reinstall Windows I'd rather do it now.

thanks..

 

[Brink]

Hello lose311, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You could use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to delete the duplicate OS in your boot manager.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2288-windows-boot-manager-delete-listed-operating-system.html

 

[lose311]

Almost too easy.. thanks!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[gregrocker]

I would also move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums so that it isn't dependent upon the other drive to boot.

Once C is marked System Active, you may need to mark E Inactive. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

Are you sure you didn't install two Win7's? If in doubt check for a Windows folder on the other hard drives.

 

[lose311]

I would also move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums so that it isn't dependent upon the other drive to boot.

Once C is marked System Active, you may need to mark E Inactive. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

Are you sure you didn't install two Win7's? If in doubt check for a Windows folder on the other hard drives.

Already checked other drives.. there is still a "Boot" folder in E, but no other windows folders except the one in C. Can I safely delete the "Boot" folder in E because that was there from an old Win install?

Anyway, I will try the other steps you mentioned.. thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

You cannot delete the Boot folder from E until you move it there using the tutorial and tool I linked you before, or the OS won't boot.

As stated E is presently booting C as signified by the System Active flags, and will continue doing so until you make the changes and confirm C is now System Active.

 

[AddRAM]

In the future always unplug all other hard drives to avoid this problem.

 

[lose311]

I would also move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums so that it isn't dependent upon the other drive to boot.

Once C is marked System Active, you may need to mark E Inactive. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

Are you sure you didn't install two Win7's? If in doubt check for a Windows folder on the other hard drives.

Ok.. sorry for the delay but I finally got around to using EasyBCD to move the bootmgr to C:. But E: is still system and active. Can I mark it inactive now or is there another step required?

Attachment of current Disk Management and EasyBCD output

thanks.

 

[AddRAM]

C needs the system files written to it, even though it`s marked active, startup repair may not write system files to it. If you mark E inactive, Windows on C will not boot until the system files are written to it.

Unplugging all other drives then running startup repair is supposed to fix this, but it never works 100 % of the time.

It can be done with Diskpart, but I would just use the Partition Wizard boot cd to mark E inactive. First you unplug any other drives, then mark it in active, the system files just magically dissapear. ( at least they don`t show up on it anymore )

If you can never get C booting on it`s own, you`ll end up re installing windows to C

The real experts on this will help you get the system files on C to have it boot on it`s own.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you follow the steps exactly in Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD and have you rebooted several times? The System flag is still on E and not yet on C so it is not booting itself.

Try moving it again and then if it doesn't get flagged System, power down to swap cables between Disk0 and Disk2 so Win7 is in first position. Then boot Win7 disk or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 boots and holds the System flag. Make sure Disk0 remains first to boot in BIOS setup. Trigger the disk with the one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

Once Win7 is marked System Active then you can mark E Inactive so the System flag goes away if it doesn't on it's own. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

 

[lose311]

Did you follow the steps exactly in Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD and have you rebooted several times? The System flag is still on E and not yet on C so it is not booting itself.

Try moving it again and then if it doesn't get flagged System, power down to swap cables between Disk0 and Disk2 so Win7 is in first position. Then boot Win7 disk or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 boots and holds the System flag. Make sure Disk0 remains first to boot in BIOS setup. Trigger the disk with the one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

Once Win7 is marked System Active then you can mark E Inactive so the System flag goes away if it doesn't on it's own. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

Yeah, I did follow steps exactly and have rebooted a few times. Will try again later today and report back, thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

If EasyBCD doesn't work after you try again, then I'd also unplug all other hard drives when you swap Win7 drive to DiSK0 cable. This avoids any interference. Let us know how it goes.