Formatting Vista partition after installing Seven

[The AudGuy]

Hi all,

I know there are many threads revolving around this subject, but I couldn't find answer to my problem.

I have 4 partitions in the only disk I have. Please find the snapshot attached. I have also attached a disk info which I got using windows diskpart tool. I had formatted a previous data partition (partition 3, volume 2) to install windows 7 in it using a DVD. Now that I'm happy with 7, I want to format the Vista partition (partition 2, volume 1) and use the space, and if possible, combine it with the last partition (partition 4, volume 3). I also want to keep in mind that I don't want to delete the recovery partition (partition 1, volume 4) because I have not been able to make recovery disks due to some issues (which I have not been able to resolve). BTW I would also like you to help me on this thread regarding MBR issues in Disk2Disk recovery (probably happened while installing 7). Also, I have backed up data from Vista drive to 7 drive and I don't have any external medium to backup my data to. But if extremely necessary, I can arrange one. So I would prefer not to clean install everything. I really need some very good tips on this one. Thanks!

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi all,

I know there are many threads revolving around this subject, but I couldn't find answer to my problem.

I have 4 partitions in the only disk I have. Please find the snapshot attached. I have also attached a disk info which I got using windows diskpart tool. I had formatted a previous data partition (partition 3, volume 2) to install windows 7 in it using a DVD. Now that I'm happy with 7, I want to format the Vista partition (partition 2, volume 1) and use the space, and if possible, combine it with the last partition (partition 4, volume 3). I also want to keep in mind that I don't want to delete the recovery partition (partition 1, volume 4) because I have not been able to make recovery disks due to some issues (which I have not been able to resolve). BTW I would also like you to help me on this thread regarding MBR issues in Disk2Disk recovery (probably happened while installing 7). Also, I have backed up data from Vista drive to 7 drive and I don't have any external medium to backup my data to. But if extremely necessary, I can arrange one. So I would prefer not to clean install everything. I really need some very good tips on this one. Thanks!

Your goals are admirable, but.

First recovery will only help you if you wish to go back to vista.
Second you can have but 5 partitions, and only one active.


So what besides the above do you want to do?
Stay with vista?
Go to win 7?
Dual boot (vista and win 7)?
or some variant. Im confused

Ken

 

[The AudGuy]

Heh. I'll take that as a compliment. Well, I want to keep the recovery partition to keep the option to switch to vista open. And as I currently have dual boot (vista and 7), I want to uninstall vista and stay with 7. So finally, my dream is to have 3 partitions, one each for recovery (as it's already there), windows 7 (which is there too), and the last one for data (combining the current vista drive with E:\ drive. Thanks.

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

You can d/l this: View attachment sisparV5.zip

Rt click and run as admin on sispar.cmd - select C when asked for partition and select N to adding existing boot menu entries.

Restart and C will be the "system" partition.

Boot the free Partition Wizard Bootable CD .

Rt click D ( vista) and delete. Ok and Apply.

Rt click the 7 partition, select Move/Resize . Grab the CENTRE of 7 partition and drag LEFT so the unallocated ( grey ) space you just created is on the RIGHT of 7 partition. OK and Apply.

Will take a few mins as the data on 7 partition needs to be moved.

You can then incorproate the unallocated space into E using Move/Resize.

That's it.

You may find if you mark Recovery partition Active, you will boot up the Acer recovery program.

You could also unhide the recov partition , give it a drive letter and add it to 7 boot menu.

 

[not so gray matter]

As mentioned, your best bet is going to be Partition Wizard. However, I don't know if what you're talking about is feasible, but you can resize, convert, delete, and add partitions.

 

[SIW2]

How do you mean you're not sure if it's feasible?

I just gave the steps to do it. LOL.

 

[karlsnooks]

The Aud Guy,
One thing good about this forum (amongst many good points) is that you will get several solutions and opinions.

Personally, I'm a fanatic about using only Microsoft software to accomplish my objective where possible.

I've never used any of the partitioning software-only the partitioning software built into to Win 7.

Now you are going to need, for many reasons, to get yourself an external drive to use for backup purposes. On that one, you need to bite the bullet and make the purchase.

Another personal opinion is--never look back. In other words, forget for now and forever Vista. I can conceive of no reasons why one would hang that albatross around their neck.

Now when you decide which partitions you want to delete, then I and many others can give you solutions.

After the deletion and after you've decided what you want to do with that new found space, then once again several of us can provide you with a solution.

Nearly always, the proposal will be valid. Simply there are many roads that lead to Rome.

Here's what I'd do:
I'd wipe the disk 100% clean using DISKPART's clean command.
Then install Windows 7.

Of course, you will want to first backup any data which is dear to your heart, e.g., pics, music, videos, documents.

 

[gregrocker]

SIW2 is the supreme expert on dual boot removals. I love learning from him.

Any resizing operation can fail, although we haven't had one fail in 100+ we have helped with here using free Partition Wizard CD. However, you might still want to back up your data and a Win7 backup image so you could start over if necessary.

It would be worth buying an external drive, as a backup image is something you want to keep permanently since it makes reinstalls never again necessary -just reimage the HD (or a replacement) in 15 minutes.

 

[whs]

You certainly have enough help by the experts. But let me throw in one additional suggestion. Rather than sticking to the Vista recovery partition, I would take an image of your todays Vista and store that on a few DVDs. The advantage is that you do not have to go thru hundreds of updates when you want to revive Vista. Here are some basic instructions how to do that and here is a detailed video tutorial that explains the whole imaging cycle.

 

[SIW2]

If it's a straightforward type 0x17, Partition Wizard can unhide it .

Otherwise, very easy with Paragon:

Rt click the oem partition and select Unhide>Apply.

Rt click it again and select change partition ID to 0x07 ntfs then Yes and Apply, like this:



That function is on Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition ...

 

[gregrocker]

PW can also Explore hidden partitions.

 

[The AudGuy]

Perfect

Hi,

You can d/l this: View attachment 65355

Rt click and run as admin on sispar.cmd - select C when asked for partition and select N to adding existing boot menu entries.

Restart and C will be the "system" partition.

Boot the free Partition Wizard Bootable CD .

Rt click D ( vista) and delete. Ok and Apply.

Rt click the 7 partition, select Move/Resize . Grab the CENTRE of 7 partition and drag LEFT so the unallocated ( grey ) space you just created is on the RIGHT of 7 partition. OK and Apply.

Will take a few mins as the data on 7 partition needs to be moved.

You can then incorproate the unallocated space into E using Move/Resize.

That's it.

You may find if you mark Recovery partition Active, you will boot up the Acer recovery program.

You could also unhide the recov partition , give it a drive letter and add it to 7 boot menu.

Looks like a perfect solution. I'll try it when I get a portable hard drive tomorrow. Thanks, I'll get back after I perform the tasks.

 

[The AudGuy]

Looks good

The Aud Guy,
One thing good about this forum (amongst many good points) is that you will get several solutions and opinions.

Personally, I'm a fanatic about using only Microsoft software to accomplish my objective where possible.

I've never used any of the partitioning software-only the partitioning software built into to Win 7.

Now you are going to need, for many reasons, to get yourself an external drive to use for backup purposes. On that one, you need to bite the bullet and make the purchase.

Another personal opinion is--never look back. In other words, forget for now and forever Vista. I can conceive of no reasons why one would hang that albatross around their neck.

Now when you decide which partitions you want to delete, then I and many others can give you solutions.

After the deletion and after you've decided what you want to do with that new found space, then once again several of us can provide you with a solution.

Nearly always, the proposal will be valid. Simply there are many roads that lead to Rome.

Here's what I'd do:
I'd wipe the disk 100% clean using DISKPART's clean command.
Then install Windows 7.

Of course, you will want to first backup any data which is dear to your heart, e.g., pics, music, videos, documents.

I thoroughly get your point. And I will indeed get a portable drive in a few days (there's no Amazon here in India ). But the thing is that I won't mind creating a recovery DVD and then deleting the partition, to be safe than sorry. I love your solution of clean sweeping, once I'm able to backup the recovery partition, which currently I'm not able to. Thanks a lot.

 

[karlsnooks]

The AudGuy,

Hope all goes well and definitely keep us posted as to progress, results, joys and sorrows (hope those are few and far between).

 

[The AudGuy]

@whs A good idea. I'll have to check whether I'd have to backup whole of 50GB partition or not.

@ gregrocker I just used PW to check out the partitions, and the hidden recovery partition still has data (which I thought was lost when I installed 7). Is there a way I can create recovery DVDs using the data in this partition ?

 

[The AudGuy]

The AudGuy,

Hope all goes well and definitely keep us posted as to progress, results, joys and sorrows (hope those are few and far between).

You got it. Thanks for the wishes.

 

[SIW2]

It's very likely you can .

Is there a way I can create recovery DVDs using the data in this partition ?

Post a screenie of what is in it.

To use the contents to create recovery media, you probably need to change it to a "normal" partition type ( use Paragon Backup and recovery free edition if PW can't do it)

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition ...

 

[karlsnooks]

The AudGuy,

If you decide you would rather use Microsoft tools to "recover" the recovery partition, then let us know.

You can also change partition types using DISKPART.

 

[The AudGuy]

Screenshots

It's very likely you can .

Is there a way I can create recovery DVDs using the data in this partition ?

Post a screenie of what is in it.

To use the contents to create recovery media, you probably need to change it to a "normal" partition type ( use Paragon Backup and recovery free edition if PW can't do it)

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition ...

I just set the recovery partition active through PW and now it shows up just like any other drive, although the FS is FAT32. I have posted the screenshots of the files in it. D2D seems to be the folder which facilitates disk-2-disk recovery on boot. Any hints on how I can create a recovery disk ?

 

[SIW2]

It looks very promising.

Have a look inside D2D, there maybe a.wim file. Post a screenie of the entire contents of D2D folder.

We need to see what is in the 2 folders obscured in your screenie on the right above.

Also , what is inside the Sources folder in the left screenshot above.

Pretty sure it can be done.

This is what the installation files typically look like.