Move Vista System Partition for 7 Install

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  1. zBobG
    Posts : 32
    XP SP3 32bit, Vista HP 64bit, Seven Pro 64bit
       New #1

    Move Vista System Partition for 7 Install


    I want to move the Vista (system) partition so that Seven can be installed in HD0:partition 1 while keeping Vista but moving it to HD0:partition 2. Why? Because I want the Seven partition to be the first partition for performance reasons, I do not intend to use the Vista 64 much if I use it at all but I do not want to delete it altogether.

    Currently:
    Vista 64 on HD0:partition 1
    Seven 64 RC on HD0: partition 2 (to be deleted - replaced with a clone of the Vista partition)
    XP SP3 (32) on HD1: partition 1

    I am currently triple booting the three OSes.

    The Problem:
    I have read that there may a problem with removing a partition if it is the system partition.

    Planned:
    With EasyBCD remove the bootable Seven entry, remove the Seven partition, clone the Vista partition to partition 2. Install Seven 64 onto partition 1 from the booted DVD and format (and replace) the existing Vista 64 partition. Afterwards using EasyBCD restore the triple boot. So the result is:
    Seven 64 on HD0: partition 1
    Vista 64 on HD0:partition 2
    XP SP3 (32) on HD1: partition 1

    The Questions:
    How is a partition marked as a system partition? When I clone the Vista partition am I going to run into trouble because it is a system partition?

    Is this even possible? Is it possible to boot into a clone of the Vista partition? Once I've installed Seven I assume there will be a new set of system files (or a new system partition) which I can modify (with EasyBCD) to restore a bootable Vista. Is this likely?

    The alternative is to dump the current Vista partition and reinstall Vista (and all its drivers and applications) after the Seven install, this I do not want to do. I would rather have a clean install of Seven and a moved Vista. I would also prefer to NOT keep the bootloader files in the Vista partition.

    Any advice or ideas would be welcome.
    Last edited by zBobG; 30 Oct 2009 at 20:48. Reason: clarification
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  3. SIW2
    Posts : 16,155
    7 X64
       New #2

    Yes, you will be fine.

    Make sure to mark the partition you want to install 7 on Active - before you do.

    Easiest is to copy Vista partition to new unallocated space ( at least as big as the original partition ).

    Use bootable partition manager to delete old Vista partition - create new ntfs partition from that - mark Active.

    Install 7 onto that Active partition .

    Add entries to 7 bcd after installation.
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  4. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #3

    Download and burn to disk free Partition Wizard app.

    Boot from PW disk, Delete RC partition, copy Vista into the RC space

    Create a new primary first partition and mark active.

    Boot Win7 installer. Install Win7 to first partition which should configure the boot loader although some entries may need to be added using EasyBCD.
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  6. SIW2
    Posts : 16,155
    7 X64
       New #4

    LOL.

    He already said the boot files are on the current Vista partition.
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  7. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #5

    SIW2 said:
    LOL.

    He already said the boot files are on the current Vista partition.
    We were typing at the same time and gave the same advice as far as I can see:

    Copy the VIsta into deleted RC space,

    create new partition in first partition where VIsta was and mark active,

    install 7 there.

    I think 7 will configure properly all 3 but he might need to add entry in EasyBCD.

    What's so funny?
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  8. SIW2
    Posts : 16,155
    7 X64
       New #6

    This bit :

    If XP current holds the MBR then I do not believe it is necessary to pass the active flag to Win 7 as it's installer should configure the multi-boot correctly.
    You could be right - the OP may be mistaken. Too often I assume what the poster says is right - Never assume.
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  10. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #7

    SIW2 said:
    This bit :

    If XP current holds the MBR then I do not believe it is necessary to pass the active flag to Win 7 as it's installer should configure the multi-boot correctly.
    You could be right - the OP may be mistaken. Too often I assume what the poster says is right - Never assume.
    I edited that out of my post after I re-read his unclear statement about whether Vista might be active:

    zBobG said:
    The Questions:
    How is a partition marked as a system partition? When I clone the Vista partition am I going to run into trouble because it is a system partition?

    Does the OP know for sure if Vista is active? Wasn't XP installed first in dual boot with Vista, then RC added third?
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  11. SIW2
    Posts : 16,155
    7 X64
       New #8

    Yes, could be.
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  12. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #9

    He's probably out dancing while we are debating this?
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  13. SIW2
    Posts : 16,155
    7 X64
       New #10

    Odd how someone can post a question - and then doesn't wait for an answer.
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