Re-installation of Windows 7/64 on SSD from Dual Boot

"Compaq X (Z:) is winxp?"
Yes it was. That was/is a clone from my old Compaq X09 which was a RAID 0 - now it's a single drive - yes it CAN be done. :)

" It has the bootmenu and bootmanager."
It appears that drive "C" (the SSD) has the boot file in the screenshot.

"why do you want to re-install Windows 7 btw? Is the old Windows 7 having many problems? "

As I explained in my original post, I recently had a series of infections damage XP to where I can only log into it in safe mode. My dual-boot set-up was created last summer when I had a new machine built; my old XP drive was successfully cloned onto a single disc; Win 7 was installed onto the SSD for video editing.

This set-up allowed me to continue using my older but perfectly functional programs, which were XP compatible only. Win 7 on SSD was used primarily for video editing (hence the very small boot SSD). I had planned upon purchasing upgrades/new versions of the XP programs eventually (Win 7 compatible), just not in this short a time-span.

As the Win 7 SSD is only 64GB, I purchased a larger SSD to accommodate the additional programs of which I now have upgrades/new builds. As far as Windows problems - while re-installing 7 is not to address any O/S problems per se, I do have a number of issues with the current installation. I'm not certain as to whether the programs themselves are to blame, Windows 7 or an improper installation/config of 7.

The dual-boot set-up was essentially a stop-gap until I was ready to invest considerably in new software and part with a number of 3rd party programs which will not function in Win 7. I found toggling back and fourth between the two O/S's tiresome in dual-boot anyway and it definitely slowed my workflow when video editing.

The PC gods are telling me that is now time to bite the proverbial bullet, update and move all that I can to 7; as SSD's continue to come down in price and improve in technology, I'll occasionally upgrade to "bigger and badder" in the future.

BTW...I forgot to ask about my hardware drivers (mobo, sound card, etc.) - do I install Windows first then the hardware drivers or...?

Thanks for all your replies and advice guys!

Movick

"So winxp is totally sick and not working anymore."
Yes - death bed status me thinks.

"Of course you want to grab files form it. But not use it as OS anymore."
All files are stored remotely of the XP drive, except for program files which I must sacrifice. I have an e-sata RAID which only seems to work with XP; I originally wanted to keep XP as a means to access said RAID data if needed. At this point (for simplicity) I have transferred all of the back-up files from the RAID array to Windows 7 accessible storage drives (I ALWAYS back-up redundantly). I now will say goodbye to XP entirely - it's been a good run XP...sniff...sniff

"You want to reinstall Windows 7 because old Windows 7 has problems (also becuase you have a larger SSD)."
Yes, but the order of priority is reversed. :)

Boot files (bootmgr and bootmenu) are still on Z (winxp) partition!! That partition is the only partition marked active. It's shown as "system" in disk management.
I see - I noticed the "boot page file, primary partition" denoted on drive "C" and thought...

"I see a lot of physical disks in disk management. What physical disk do you want to replace? Or do you just want to install new SSD as an extra disk?"
I am going to replace drive "C" with the new larger SSD.

I should probably move the internal drives to proper sequence yes (disc 0 becomes "C", disc 1 becomes "D", then I'll reformat the "X" drive and make it "E" for storage)?

Boot flag only means its the OS presently booted. Appears you have the System boot files on XP Dual Booting with Win7 on C.

If XP is no longer functional then I'd unplug it and plug the new SSD into its cable if possible to Clean Reinstall Win7. If you can't plug an SSD into Disk0 slot then before reinstall unplug any drives which precede it in Disk Mgmt so the boot files are not derailed to a preceding drive as can happen if it's not Logical formatted.

Once Win7 is installed you can plug back in the other drives which I would wipe with Diskpart Clean Command to rid them of boot code, reformat in Disk Mgmt.

We can also help you get the data RAID seen in Win7.

If not what type of XP license do you own as we can advise you how to reinstall it with Win7 SSD unplugged so that it's booted via BIOS or added to Windows Boot Menu from Win7 using EasyBCD.

You can also unRAID your data drives to reformat them from Win7 as storage. Win7 doesn't like RAID and it offers no real advantage, just problems.

"If XP is no longer functional then I'd unplug it and plug the new SSD into its cable if possible to Clean Reinstall Win7. If you can't plug an SSD into Disk0 slot then before reinstall unplug any drives which precede it in Disk Mgmt so the boot files are not derailed to a preceding drive as can happen if it's not Logical formatted."

I should be able to do that; I will probably change out the existing SATA 2 cables for the SATA 3 which are now plugged into the smaller SSD. As well, I really have no need for the old XP drive to reside in the system anyway, so I'll just remove it completely. As I asked in my previous post - new config: C=disc 0, D=disc1...yes?

"Once Windows 7 is installed you can plug back in the other drives which I would wipe with Diskpart Clean Command to rid them of boot code, reformat in Disk Mgmt. "

As I'm going to remove the old XP boot drive and will furthermore boot from the new C-Drive/SSD in a single boot config there should be no need to reformat drives D-F...correct ?

"We can also help you get the data RAID seen in Windows 7. "

You mean the exterrnal RAID array I to this point am only able to acces through XP? I should mention that I have that array configured as (5) individual drives - not a RAID. I'd be VERY interested in getting that up and running in 7 if that's what you are referring to.

"If not what type of XP license do you own as we can advise you how to reinstall it with Windows 7 SSD unplugged so that it's booted via BIOS or added to Windows Boot Menu from Windows 7 using EasyBCD."

It's a Compaq branded version of XP pro (came with the X09). At this point, the only reason I had for salvaging XP was to use my old programs; unfortunately I don't have the installation discs for a few primary programs and the manufacturers do not offer back-up discs. It's just easier to go with the single boot with new programs on 7.

"You can also unRAID your data drives to reformat them from Windows 7 as storage. Windows 7 doesn't like RAID and it offers no real advantage, just problems. "

Again, I mis-stated the actual configuration of the array - techincally it's a 5-drive array on E-SATA. For whatever reason Win 7 sees the drives and data but I cannot access it correctly.

Thanks for the info!
Movick

Yes. C on Disk0, D on Disk1.

As I thought you were going to reuse XP HD and the old SSD I was referring to wiping them of boot code before reformatting.

What kind of an array do you have exactly? How does Win7 see it? Is there a drive letter assigned in Disk Mgmt? Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

It explains how to find many OEM program installers in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. If you have any you can't find then ask back. Many older programs can be installed to Win7 in Compatibility Mode