Dual Boot Windows XP(Primary) and Windows 7 (Logical Partition)

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
  1.    #11

    Here are the steps which work best to recover to Win7 its boot files and the disk space from XP, based on having given them countless times in almost four years. Feel free to bookmark them.

    As suggested boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD to rightclick D to Modify>Set to Primary, click OK.

    Now rightclick D again to Modify>Set Active, click OK.

    Next click on the Win7 HD to highlight it, from Disk tab above click on Rebuild MBR, OK, Apply all steps.

    Reboot to see if WIn7 will start. If not boot into the Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and holds the System Active flags.

    Now that we know Win7 will start on its own from its own partition, you can boot again into PW CD, rightclick on XP to Delete, OK. Then rightclick on C to Resize, slide left border all the way to the left to take up the deleted XP space, OK, Apply both steps. Have your Win7 DVD or REpair CD standing by since sometimes resizing on the boot sector requires repairs.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 02 Nov 2012 at 23:01.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Premium
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Thanks - your instructions look like they are setting C as the primary. My Windows 7 is on D. Should I follow your instructions using D instead of C?
      My Computer

  3.    #13

    You must have incorrectly run the Win7 installer from XP which locked out C from being available. Otherwise when the Win7 installer is correctly booted Win7 will always be on C when booted.

    So you can follow the steps I've given converting D to Primary and marking Active to recover the boot files and XP drive space into it, although it will be on D.

    Or you can back up your files and boot the Win7 installer to delete both of those partitions and create a new one to correctly install Win7 on C from boot. Your choice.
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #14

    Kaktussoft is right. There is no problem turning the D partition into a primary. Best is to use the bootable CD of Partition Wizard (last entry on that webpage). Burn that to CD and boot with that CD. Then highlight the D partition, click the Partition tab. The controls are under "Modify".
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Premium
    Thread Starter
       #15

    I'll give that a shot, thanks
      My Computer


 
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 17:50.
Find Us