Clean install with partition

[dannet]

I'm currently running the 7100 build and I'm wanting to install 7127 using a new partition.

Basically my idea was to create a new partition and install 7127 on that and then uninstall 7100 but keeping my files so I can move then across to the new partition. Thus having a clean install but without losing any files.

Is this possible? Will I be able to uninstall the 7100 without deleting my files?

Also can I change the size of the new partition after I have made it - in order to resemble the set up I have now (ie: 2x 250GB).

Thanks in advance

 

[torrentg]

Yes to everything, possible. I upgraded from RC as I always do, so that is a valid option if you want to save some time.


Acronis Disk Director Suite is excellent for partition editing and altering, even on a partition with an OS installed already.

 

[dannet]

Thanks I'm going to download that now .

One other thing how would I go about uninstalling the 7100 OS once I want to change to the new one? Can I do that in Acronis?

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

Acronis are the market leaders in drive imaging, but Paragon is the one to go for in terms of hard drive partitioning and management.

If you are going to buy one, may be worth bearing in mind. They both do programs incorporating imaging and partitioning, so take your pick. I use several Paragon products and they are excellent.

If you go for the Acronis - stay away from the disk selector - causes havoc on 7.

 

[johnwillyums]

Hi Guys.

In about 27 hours I'll hopefully have build 7127 downloaded and burned to disk.

Going from 7057 to 7100 I reformatted and did a fresh install and I'm loving it.
Do you think it's wise to do this with 7127?

Alternatively I could create a new partition for 7127 with gparted and put 7127 there.
That doesn't appeal as I'll either love 7127 and use it all time or not so why complicate my life?

Another option would be upgrade. Others have said a fresh install is best but I seem to have spent more time installing and setting up lately than using my pc and I'm getting fed up with it.

What're your thoughts?

John

 

[SIW2]

Hi John,

I always clean install.

Any reason why you want to use GParted?

Vista Disk Management will do the job - assuming Vista is on the first partition now.

 

[johnwillyums]

Hello SIW2,

When this frenzy first started and I wanted to do a dual boot I tried shrinking my Vista install using Windows and it would only give me a tiny amount, nowhere near enough to put the beta on.

Maybe I was going about it the wrong way.

Anyway I used gparted and it worked ok.

Thanks for the gift, John

 

[SIW2]

Ah, yes , sometimes system files are far along the drive - Disk Management won't move them and only reports a small amount of shrink available.

3rd party programs can move those.

If Disk Management reports there is enough space, I always use that, and only resort to 3rd party apps. for things Disk Management can't do.

I see why you want to try the upgrade, but I always clean install - unexpected problems are not unusual following upgrade installs - more so with beta o/s.

First, you might want to make another partition on the right of the drive, then make an image of your existing 7100 partition and store it on there. ( Use an external HD if you have one).

You can always restore the image in a few minutes by using the imaging apps. boot disc - just in case something goes wrong.

If you use the normal or best compression levels for the image, it takes up less than half the used space of the source partition.

 

[dannet]

Seeing as I'm doing a clean install on another fresh partition but keeping my files on the other partitions is it possible to extract the iso and install directly with the setup exe rather than burning the install on a CD or onto a USB stick?

I did this when upgrading from vista to 7100... but then I was installing on the same partition..

Could I extract the iso to the new partition and do it that way?

 

[SIW2]

You can certainly extract the install.wim with imagex , if that's what you mean.

Probably easier to run it from a virtual drive. Create and format the new partition first. Then install PowerIso ( free version will do it ) on your existing 7100 partition .

Get it to set 1 virtual drive :










Mount the .iso in the drive and run the installation - you will be able to select the partition to install during the installation process.

The unregistered (free) version will not let you edit large files, but you can use it to mount and run as well as burn - so you only need the unregistered version to install from

http://www.poweriso.com/download.htm

 

[dannet]

Thanks I'll try that.... Paragon has added some files to the partition in a 'BOOTWIZ' folder. Do I need to keep these or can I format it before install?

If you go for the Acronis - stay away from the disk selector - causes havoc on 7.

Yeah you were right about that! I'd already installed it before I read but so decided not to use Acronis. However, I didn't uninstall it and now it runs every time I boot. I can't even uninstall it because it keeps teling me no OS is present :sarc: .

 

[SIW2]

I don't know what those are - BOOTWIZ? - you can copy them to the partition you are keeping, in case you want them later.

The Disk selector is probably on the mbr. It might get in the way during the installation. Try rewriting the mbr.

 

[dannet]

Thanks for the detailed instructions they make it much simpler! Nice background by the way .

Well here goes - hopefully my next post will be from 7127 if it works!

Is changing the mbr easy?

 

[SIW2]

Hold it!

Rewrite the mbr first.

Use the free easybcd :

Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

Click Manage Bootloader from the first menu, select "Reinstall Vista Bootloader" , then click "Write MBR"



Reboot to test all is ok and Disk Selector has gone.

 

[dannet]

Okay I installed the new build successfully on a new partition (G) and was being given the option on boot-up to choose between the two OSs. However my plan was the remove the older build and just use the new one as my sole OS.

I had the brilliant idea of formatting C drive through 7127 thinking that my computer would just utilise the new OS on G drive and now my computer won't boot...

I don't know if there are some necessary boot files on C that I've inadvertently removed or something else but I just assumed the OS on G: would kind of take over things

On boot-up I get the message: "NTDLR is missing". By the way I don't have a vista disk because HPs come with an on-board recovery drive.. but I do have 7127 on disk.

 

[SIW2]

LOL. After all that you decided to get rid of 7100.

The boot files were on the active partition - where 7100 was - you are right.

Easiest thing to do now is:

Boot the 7127 dvd - chose Custom Install , Drive Options (advanced), delete and format the 7100 partition and install 7127 on that.

You could delete the 7127 you had already installed at that point, or after you have booted into the new installation - up to you.

 

[dannet]

LOL yeah it was pretty stupid of me . Had a load of files strewn across all my partitions which I didn't want to lose so I wanted to duel boot to make sure the 7127 would go without it messing up and losing any files but seeing as it was working fine I thought I might as well get rid of 7100 now I know the new build runs smoothly. I've placed any of my important files in the 2nd 'data' HD now anyway.

You're right looks like I might as well done it the easy way in the end ha ha.

Well I'll see what happens anyway.. Thanks again!

 

[dannet]

Finally - all sorted. Everything's running fine and thanks to the clean install everthing's running smoother than ever .

Thanks for all your help!

 

[SIW2]

You're welcome - have fun.