Convert Dual Boot to Single Boot, 2 HD's

[GGibson]

I setup an XP/Win7 dual boot on two drives. Currently C: Win7, D:XP
Love Win7 and now I'm ready to convert to single boot win7.

I'm not real savy re. bcdedit so will need very detailed instructions
I did find the command line in win7 by going thru accessories but I'm scared to go further without help.

Eventually I want to clean up the D:xp and use it for storage etc.

I'm guessing this procedure may have already be written up but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks for any help that comes my way.

 

[zigzag3143]

I setup an XP/Win7 dual boot on two drives. Currently C: Win7, D:XP
Love Win7 and now I'm ready to convert to single boot win7.

I'm not real savy re. bcdedit so will need very detailed instructions
I did find the command line in win7 by going thru accessories but I'm scared to go further without help.

Eventually I want to clean up the D:xp and use it for storage etc.

I'm guessing this procedure may have already be written up but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks for any help that comes my way.

No problem bcdedit is here http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2676-bcdedit-how-use.html?ltr=B and its pretty easy to use. why dont you read the tut first and then ask questions?

Ken

 

[GGibson]

Tried to export bcdedit, access denied

Looked at bcdedit Tutorial
Tried command: bcdedit/export C:\savedbcd
Got reply, Failed, access denied.
I'm logged on as Administrator.
Suggestions?

Re. Tutorial, I didn't find anything in there about how to convert to single boot.

 

[Dwarf]

Hi GGibson and welcome to Se7en Forums

Just because you are logged on as an Administrator does not mean that applications run with full administrative privileges - you need to elevate them first. With the command prompt, follow the instructions here http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

Next, refer to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2676-bcdedit-how-use.html and post back with the results of the command BCDEDIT on its own.

 

[GGibson]

Tried bcdedit, Access Denied, boot config store not....

Tried simple command
bcdedit
The boot configuration data store could not be opened.
Access denied.
My account has administrator rights.
Suggestions?

 

[GGibson]

Just saw you reply, Will use elevated prompt.

Thanks for your help.
Back soon.

 

[GGibson]

Elevated Command worked

used bcdedit at command line and got complete print out showing.

Any suggestions on how to convert to single boot?
Remember, this is all new to me.
Thanks.

 

[GGibson]

Successful export of bcd.

Command:
bcdedit/export C:\savebcd
Worked great.

 

[Dwarf]

To enable us to help you further, please repeat the BCDEDIT command. Next, right click on the window and click on Select All and press Enter. This copies the data to the clipboard. Now make a new reply, and paste this data into the reply.

 

[GGibson]

bcdedit results

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Windows\system32>bcdedit
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=D:
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
default {current}
resumeobject {ba143024-8d01-11de-8a82-9426873b058a}
displayorder {ntldr}
{current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 5
Windows Legacy OS Loader
------------------------
identifier {ntldr}
device partition=D:
path \ntldr
description Windows XP Pro
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {current}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {ba143026-8d01-11de-8a82-9426873b058a}
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {ba143024-8d01-11de-8a82-9426873b058a}
nx OptIn
C:\Windows\system32>

 

[GGibson]

Tell me how to edit bcdedit for single boot?

I'm close but need some help on what to edit to arrive at single boot Win 7.

 

[wallyinnc]

GGibson, have you already formated the XP partition? It might already eliminate the XP option from the boot sequence, since XP uses Boot.ini / NTLDR. If not you can edit with bcdedit, using the cleanup or delete option, see below. If you are not sure, ask for more help, you can brick your computer if this goes wrong. It might be safer to tansfer or backup what you need from XP BEFORE attempting to remove it from the boot sequence.

C:\Windows\system32>bcdedit.exe /? delete
This command deletes an entry from the boot configuration data store.
bcdedit [/store <filename>] /delete <id> [/f] [/cleanup | /nocleanup]
<filename> Specifies the store to be used. If this option is not
specified, the system store is used. For more information,
run "bcdedit /? store".
<id> Specifies the identifier of the boot entry that you want to
delete. For more information about identifiers,
run "bcdedit /? ID".
/f Deletes the specified entry. Without this option, Bcdedit
will not delete any entries that have a well-known
identifier.
/cleanup Deletes the specified entry and removes the entry from the
display order. Any other references to the entry being
deleted will also be removed from the store. When deleting
an OS loader entry, the associated resume from hibernation
entry is also deleted if it is not referenced by any other
OS loaders. This option is assumed unless /nocleanup is
specified.
/nocleanup Deletes the specified entry without removing the entry from
the display order.
Examples:
The following command deletes the specified operating system entry from the
store and removes the entry from the display order:
bcdedit /delete {cbd971bf-b7b8-4885-951a-fa03044f5d71}
The following command deletes the specified operating system entry from the
store and removes the entry from the display order:
bcdedit /delete {cbd971bf-b7b8-4885-951a-fa03044f5d71} /cleanup
The following command deletes the specified operating system entry from the
store without removing the entry from the display order:
bcdedit /delete {cbd971bf-b7b8-4885-951a-fa03044f5d71} /nocleanup
The following command deletes the NTLDR based OS loader entry from the store:
bcdedit /delete {ntldr} /f

 

[SIW2]

Looks like the XP partition is the System partition. You won't be able to delete /format it in Disk Management.

Probabaly easiest to set 7 HD as first HD in BIOS boot order.

In Disk Management, ensure 7 partition is marked Active.

Boot the 7 dvd and run startup repair 3 or 4 times.

Check in Disk Management 7 partition is showing as "System ".

Delete XP .

 

[GGibson]

Thanks guys, got it working as single boot system.

Thanks again for helping me out.

 

[SIW2]

In Disk Management, ensure 7 partition is marked Active.

Boot the 7 dvd and run startup repair 3 or 4 times.

Check in Disk Management 7 partition is showing as "System ".

Delete XP .

Did you do that successfully?

 

[GGibson]

Single boot works now

bcdedit /delete {ntldr} /f

The guy who built this computer for me returned from vacation and gave me the above command to use. I tried it and it worked. Single boot is just fine. Thanks again for helping me work thru this.

 

[SIW2]

I presume you have 2 separate HD's.

That command will have removed XP from the boot menu you see when you start the machine.

However, your bcdedit post would indicate you are still booting thru. drive D.

C:\Windows\system32>bcdedit
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=D:
description Windows Boot Manager

Windows Legacy OS Loader
------------------------
identifier {ntldr}
device partition=D:
path \ntldr
description Windows XP Pro
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {current}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7

Look in Disk Management and see if drive D is shown as "system" - it should be as that is the location of bootmgr and the Boot folder (including bcd).

If so, you will not be able to format/ delete drive D should you wish to do so.

To make the 7 drive into "system" and have the freedom to do what you want with D :

Set 7 HD as first HD in BIOS boot order.

In Disk Management, ensure 7 partition is marked Active.

Boot the 7 dvd and run startup repair 3 or 4 times.

Check in Disk Management 7 partition is showing as "System ".

Delete XP partition.

 

[GGibson]

Disk Management, Active

D: (xp)
Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition)

C: (windows 7)
Healthy (Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)

I believe this tells me that win7 drive is already set to Active, right?

 

[SIW2]

Yes , it's Active - but it is not "system".

The system partition is where the 7 boot files live ( that drive will also have 7 compatible mbr and bootsector code).

By placing 7 HD first in BIOS boot order and running startup repair ( usually 3 times) - it will add all the necessary code for you, and 7 partition will be "system".

 

[GGibson]

Success with your procedure-Many Thanks.

D: (xp)
Healthy (Acitve, Primary Partition)

C: (win7)
Healthy (System, Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)