Uninstall Vista (Native OS), but leave Windows 7 (Secondary OS)

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  1. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #31

    Yes that would have done the job Greg - if 7 partition was marked Active first.

    Just like you said here:

    Repair should write System boot files to first marked-Active partition. Shouldn't matter whether old System partition is marked Inactive, deleted or wiped.
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  2. Posts : 70
    Windows 10 + Ubuntu + macOS
    Thread Starter
       #32

    Okay, now I'm confused.

    I think it goes something like this:

    - Boot to Vista
    - Mark Win7 Partition as Active
    - Boot to Win7
    - Delete Vista Partition
    - Boot to Restore Disc
    - Run Startup Repair
    - Repeat last 2 Steps 3 Times
    - Remove Disc and Boot to Win7
    - Create Partition on Former Vista Drive

    ???
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  3. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #33

    Okay, now I'm confused.
    Now there's a surprise. LOL.

    Try this:

    - Boot to Windows 7
    - Mark Windows 7 Partition as Active
    - Either:
    1. Mark Vista partition inactive (using diskpart)
    OR
    2. Restart, go into bios and make sure win7 drive is first HD in boot order
    OR
    3. Both 1 and 2 if you like
    - Boot to Restore Disc
    - Run Startup Repair up to 3 times
    - Boot into windows 7
    - Delete Vista Partition
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  4. Posts : 70
    Windows 10 + Ubuntu + macOS
    Thread Starter
       #34

    Indeed.

    Thanks, I am now at home, so this I will try.
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  5.    #35

    SIW2 said:
    Yes that would have done the job Greg - if 7 partition was marked Active first.

    Just like you said here:

    Repair should write System boot files to first marked-Active partition. Shouldn't matter whether old System partition is marked Inactive, deleted or wiped.
    But it would need one of those three choices to get rid of Vista Active to work, not just mark Win7 Active and set to boot first?

    Because if Vista on DISK0 remains first Active partition, what would cause Repair to write boot files to Win7? Are you saying marking it Active and set first to boot override the fact that Vista is still first Active partition?

    (cdmoomaw: please excuse the asides but we help literally hundreds of people with these fixes and SIW2 is our prime teacher)
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  6. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #36

    cdmoomaw said:
    Already had the window open. The unallocated space was previously used for linux. I will expand it later.
    cdmoomaw said:
    I plan to wipe the drive using diskpart clean all.
    SIW2 said:
    Why - is there a problem with just deleting it and recreating partitions of whatever sizes you need ?
    As OP had Linux on the HD CLEAN ALL would be the best way to go.
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  7. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #37

    Yes, Win7 partition would need to be Active - and need to be first in bios boot order.


    Was Win7 (Disk1) first in boot order, BFK?
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  8. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #38

    I sure hope the OP reports back.

    I did a simulation in VirtualBox last night with Vista as the "System" on Disk 0 and Windows 7 on Disk 1.

    Booted to diskpart and did a clean all to Disk 0 and marked the Disk 1 Windows 7 partition as active then did the startup repairs.

    To recap ...

    Disk 0 was unallocated space and the Windows 7 partition was active.


    The startup repairs created a System Reserved partition on Disk 0 and made that the "System" partition, as can be seen in this snip.


    click to enlarge
    Uninstall Vista (Native OS), but leave Windows 7 (Secondary OS)-sim.jpg
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  9. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #39

    Hi BFK
    This is one of reasons, it is best to have OS on Disk 0.
    Ray.
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  10. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #40

    Hello SIW.


    No I have not installed/added a BIOS into VB, that is something I would like to sort/pursue in future though if you have any pointers on the best way to do so, I know it's possible as I've had a look at the VB FAQs on the method already.

    I think though this may be a good work-around for those that are in a similar situation and can't, for whatever reason change the BIOS boot order on their OEM lappy.

    Your thoughts on any of this would be appreciated.



    I totally agree Ray!
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