200 MB boot data on a different drive than windows

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  1. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #11

    For simply copying a partition from one drive to the next you can see that done while booted from a live GParted cd as well as using any other program. In the long run however seeing a good fresh install onto a single large primary and not seeing a separate partition for booting will provide the best results and fewer problems.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 RC1 x64
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Sorry about the late reply, but here's what I tried:

    To start with, the Gparted cd doesn't work on my computer - both of my monitors just say out of range. Because of this, I looked back to HDClone and simply copied the windows partition onto the new drive. Next I unpluged the old drive. When I started it up, it said that a dirve needed to start windows could not be found and to boot from the windows dvd and select repair your computer. After doing this, it said I needed to restart my computer. After a restart, It said "Preparing Your Desktop" for about 5 minutes before fading out into a perfectly blue screen. Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete and starting the task manager revealed that explorer wasn't running and everything was in the windows classic theme. When I started explorer, it looked like everything was working fine but then a window popped up saying I was in a temporary account and everything would be deleted when I logged off. Thinking that an upgrade install might fix all of this, I put in the windows 7 disk and clicked on upgrade install just to be notified that the windows files, users, and programs are all on different partitions. So far the strangest thing is that if I plug in the old drive again everything works perfectly.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #13

    The master boot record and boot files are still located on the first drive. Whenever adding in a new drive you have to see a totally fresh clean install all over again where Windows will be configured to run from it. By copying the partition over all you saw was the new drive being made into a storage device for your personal files and settings.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 RC1 x64
    Thread Starter
       #14

    So I do have to do a clean install?
    Or is there some other way?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #15

    If it had been a virtual drive you backed you wouldn't be running into not seeing Windows load up to start with. Simply copying a partition preserves data but doesn't make a new drive bootable.

    The repair tool works when the installation is already installed directly to the drive itself. Each installation creates it's own hardware profile. ouch!

    It's "always" best to see a nice clean install especially on a totally new drive to start with on a fresh primary as well. I've been doing that enough lately since 7 was first seen in beta! Now to finish up getting a few remaining items on the latest clean install of the 64bit RC!
      My Computers


 
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