FUBAR: Only 1 Disk with 1 Partition to install, what to do?


  1. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #1

    FUBAR: Only 1 Disk with 1 Partition to install, what to do?


    Hi,
    I cleaned my Hard Drive (reformatted it) in preparation to install W-7 Pro from a DVD, but now there is only 1 disk with 1 Partition on which to install.

    I think I need another W-7 Disk that I can boot from in order to use Control Panel>Disk Management to somehow repartition the disk to be at least 2 partitions (1 for the O/S and 1 for other programs). Otherwise, if I install W-7 on the 1 partition it will be for system use only.

    I don't have a recovery disk that I can boot from, only the W-7 installation disk.

    Am I as adrift as I think? Do I need a recovery disk from which to boot and then repartition? (If one is needed do I have to shell out big bucks to a repair shop? or maybe I can find a reasonable Mom & Pop operation.)

    What should I do? Unfortunately I have a day and few $ to get back up and running.

    Thank you
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    If you Cleaned your HD then there shouldn't be any partitions, just Unallocated space ready to create into partitions during the install.

    Partition your HD as desired during the booted Clean Install Windows 7, using the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7/8 to create New, Format each, then install to first partition (ignoring the small 100mb System boot partition it creates).

    Other tips same as here to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    So there's hope! How to de-partition?


    Good Morning,
    Thanks for responding.
    After I cleaned the hard disk, I used the command line "diskpart" to "create primary partition", which it did, but I guess I shouldn't have.
    Now, I suppose I should get rid of the partition, but How do I do that?
    Is there a command in "diskpart" to un-partition?
    It sounds like you can install the O/S on an un-partitioned disk and the Install process is smart enough to let a system partition be created as the install proceeds.
    Am I headed in the right direction?
    10x Thank you :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    More info about partition


    Hi again,
    The volume that is partitioned is NTFS and "pagefile".
    Using "clean" again in "diskpart" doesn't get rid of the partition.
    Using "delete partition" doesn't work on a "pagefile" volume.
    I look forward to hearing sage advice,
    Thank you
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Just boot the installer and delete all partitions at Steps 7/8 of Clean Install Windows 7, create a New one of the size you want for Win7, format it, then install. Ignore the 100mb boot partition it creates.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    You can also make and use a Partition Wizard Boot cd to pre partition your hard drive.

    Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to manage partition directly with partition manager bootable CD.

    Of course this would have to be done from a working pc with at least a cd burner.
      My Computer


 

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