New
#1
Problem with old installations
Hi, I hope this is a simple fix.
I initially installed windows 7 64-bit onto a brand new hard disk (in a brand new built PC). I did so using the windows 7 DVD, and created two partitions, one for the OS and one for data. The installation was successful with no problems. Windows showed C: drive for the OS and D: for data.
For various reasons after a few days I then needed to remove Windows 7 and install windows XP. So I booted with the XP disk and the setup showed me 3 partitions in total including the windows 7 "system" partition. In the XP setup I deleted that partition, and the main OS partition. I left the data partition alone. I created one new partition in the space and installed XP onto that. The installation was succesful, I had C: and D: drives in windows.
Again for various reasons I now wish to return to Windows 7 (permamently!). So I booted with the Win 7 disk and the setup showed two partitions. I selected to format the C: partition (the one with XP on). I then selected to install Windows 7 on that partition.
Upon completion of the install it is clear that a legacy of either XP or the earlier Windows 7 is causing a few issues. Firstly on boot up the boot manager screen appears asking if I would like to boot to "windows 7" or "earlier version of windows". I select Windows 7, and then once in windows, only disk C: is shown in explorer. If I go into disk manager, I can see the other partition and I can enable it but in the list of available drive letters, D: is NOT available. I have to select E:. Finally, I have a USB card reader, which previously showed as 4 removable drives; this is now NOT shown in explorer.
To remedy this I have already tried one further re-install of Win 7 with a complete delete / create / format of the OS partition but still I get the same results. If anyone can advise of a way to completely delete ALL legacy installs from my hard disk I would be very grateful.