How to Uninstall W7 When In A Multi-Boot

[Ex_Brit]

Thinking ahead to when this copy dies on me & I have to format this partition...how does one restore ones original boot settings when in a multi-boot scenario of XP, Vista and Windows 7 in that order?
I posted the question on Pro Networks too as they have the detailed instructions for doing the same for Vista snd just wondered if you guys have any ideas?

 

[frankzappa77]

Thinking ahead to when this copy dies on me & I have to format this partition...how does one restore ones original boot settings when in a multi-boot scenario of XP, Vista and Windows 7 in that order?
I posted the question on Pro Networks too as they have the detailed instructions for doing the same for Vista snd just wondered if you guys have any ideas?

I created a backup of my MBR with HDHacker (all the other methods I needed a floppy diskette and I'm on a laptop), which you can run from within Windows. I also created a backup of my BCD settings with EasyBCD just in case.

Just a question: when you installed 7, did it overwrite your Vista bootloader or did it just add an entry to it? (I actually couldn't even get 7 to install for me)

 

[Ex_Brit]

I'm not really sure if it overwrote it, I think it did. I have EasyBCD so I could always just use that (in my C: XP) to restore the bootloader to what it was.

How come you couldn't even get W7 to install?

 

[garysgold]

You should be able to use msconfig in Vista to remove the W7 boot option if necessary.

Welcome to the forums frankzappa77.

Gary

 

[Ex_Brit]

Thanks Gary.

 

[Barman58]

When removing Seven from a dual boot care should be taken. As Seven will be the "newest" OS on the system it will be using The Seven Boot loader even if you have changed the boot order.

if you boot into Vista (for Example) and remove the Windows Seven Partition you will probably find that Vista will then fail to boot. The vista disk and a Startup repair should be enough to correct this.

This is of course presuming that seven was installed normally and you have not performed a start-up repair in vista since and edited it's bootlader to load Seven.

It is the normal state with MS windows operating systems that you boot via the last one installed

 

[Ex_Brit]

OK I wouldn't be doing anything in Vista as the bootloader for everything is controlled in my C: partition, i.e. XP.

I would assume that one would format W7 off the map and then use EasyBCD or similar to restore Vista's bootloader...no?

I was asking more would there be any need to delete certain files or folders in XP?

 

[Barman58]

Hi peter,

I think you would have to do a repair of the XP bootloader, but not 100% sure if seven would have changed anything as XP uses a completely different boot sequence

 

[frankzappa77]

I'm not really sure if it overwrote it, I think it did. I have EasyBCD so I could always just use that (in my C: XP) to restore the bootloader to what it was.

How come you couldn't even get W7 to install?

See this thread. I keep getting BSOD'd during the install for some weird reason. I know it's not the DVD, because it works when installing 7 in a virtual machine.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I guess I'm worrying too far in advance...I'll cross that river when I get to it, by which time I'm sure more information will be available anyway.

Thanks for your help guys.

frankzappa77 - I saw your thread, sorry I'm not too technical in that regard but I'm sure there are many who are.

I installed mine from within XP so I could control which drive letters Windows used and it was quick and easy.

 

[Barman58]

Hi peter

I installed mine from within XP so I could control which drive letters Windows used and it was quick and easy.

this probably means you are actually using the XP loader - I assumed that everyone installed by booting the DVD

As they say...

Never Assume, it makes an ASS out of U and Me.

by the time it come to remove 6801 there'll be a new build to load

 

[Ex_Brit]

I hope. I'll probably still be in the UK when that happens.

 

[frankzappa77]

I guess I'm worrying too far in advance...I'll cross that river when I get to it, by which time I'm sure more information will be available anyway.

Thanks for your help guys.

frankzappa77 - I saw your thread, sorry I'm not too technical in that regard but I'm sure there are many who are.

I installed mine from within XP so I could control which drive letters Windows used and it was quick and easy.

Did it ask you anything about a bootloader or where to install it?
I don't have anything against Windows but I hate the fact that they can't even give the user an option of where to install the bootloader. Because of this I always have to install Windows before Linux to avoid complications. GRUB even alerts me that another bootloader is present and whether I want to install it to the bootsector of a partition or overwrite the current one.

Does anyone know if the development team will add this feature in 7? Is there a way to recommend this feature? I'm sure it'd make a lot of linux users very happy.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Does anyone know if the development team will add this feature in 7? Is there a way to recommend this feature?

Hello frankzappa77, welcome to Seven Forums!

Now that you have Windows 7 installed; have a look at the tutorial, at the link below.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/405-feedback-microsoft.html?ltr=F






Later :shock: Ted

 

[Ex_Brit]

Did it ask you anything about a bootloader or where to install it?
I don't have anything against Windows but I hate the fact that they can't even give the user an option of where to install the bootloader. Because of this I always have to install Windows before Linux to avoid complications. GRUB even alerts me that another bootloader is present and whether I want to install it to the bootsector of a partition or overwrite the current one.

Does anyone know if the development team will add this feature in 7? Is there a way to recommend this feature? I'm sure it'd make a lot of linux users very happy.

I tried various Linux "blends" and. apart from major issues even getting them installed in the first place, did not like them one little bit, sorry. It's too much like hard work if you ask me.
I know how Windows Vista overwrites the XP bootloader in a multi-boot system but wasn't sure about W7, which, it turns out, is really a glorified Vista as far as that is concerned.

 

[windows]

removing

if you boot into vista and go to control panel, system and security, then under Administrative tools click create and format disk partitions.
Once there select which is the local disk C for windows vista or XP which ever you prefer and right click it, then select "Mark partition as active".
That should put that bootloader in place.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I happen to be in Vista right now and checked out Disk Management and my C (XP) drive is already marked as active. See the thumb attached. M is Vista and N is Windows 7 but is hidden from Vista hence the "Raw" label. I always hide the later systems from the earlier ones in case their restore points get "eaten".

I have EasyBCD installed in C and can use it to reinstate the bootloader, I would imagine.

 

[garysgold]

if you boot into Vista (for Example) and remove the Windows Seven Partition you will probably find that Vista will then fail to boot. The vista disk and a Startup repair should be enough to correct this.

Ques: Can I do this startup repair now to make sure all is working whenever that day comes. Don't want to mess things up. I have an OEM disk (dell).

Gary

 

[Barman58]

Hi gary,

If you have a Dell OEM disk it is unlikely that it includes the repair functionality available with the retail disk.

What you may want to do, to ensure that you are prepared, is download and burn this ...

Create a Recovery Disc - Vista Forums

Shawn's tutorial for the process is here ...

Startup Repair - Vista Forums

I would not actually try it until you need it as this could actually damage the vista bootloader. You could check that the disk is bootable but not actually attempt the repair.

 

[garysgold]

Thanks Nigel.

I created that disk a while back. Haven't tested to be sure it will boot. Will do that. I use Acronis to image that drive, so should be able to recover through that if nothing else.

Gary