Delete old partition with Vista on

[maccaquacker]

Hi guys

I have an old partition containing Vista Home Premium installed on a partition of my drive which I can dual-boot into. To delete it is it as simple as formatting the partition from within 7? Will this sort out all the dual-boot stuff and stop my computer from messing up

macca

(the Vista partition still holds the "Primary Partition" label but the 7 one does too)

 

[theog]

Can you post a screen shot of Disk management?
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Screenshot tools.
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How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
Snipping Tool - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
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[maccaquacker]

as requested

 

[gregrocker]

It looks like Vista can be deleted in Win7 Disk Mgmt with no problem since it contains no boot files.

However you have a lot of wasted space with a Recovery Partition that may no longer work after Win7 install, and a boot partition which Win7 is booting off of but which has a 1.46gb space not needed any longer since you no longer have the factory utilities installed with Vista.

Best approach would be to clean reinstall after deleting all partitions as described here: Reinstalling Windows 7

Until then you could recover the Vista boot files and the first 3 partitions space back into Vista partition using free Partition Wizard bootable CD and the Vista Repair CD. Boot PW CD to delete each partition except Vista, then mark Vista partition Active. Now boot the Vista Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until it writes the System boot files to Vista and starts. Back up your files and a Vista backup image first.

 

[maccaquacker]

why can i not just delete the 2 unused partitions if they are not being used for boot

 

[maccaquacker]

in the long term i plan to reinstall 7 anyway as I corrupted certain things that can only be fixed with a clean install but i would prefer the ability to dual boot 7 with itsself so i am able to move the files with ease

 

[theog]

in the long term i plan to reinstall 7 anyway as I corrupted certain things that can only be fixed with a clean install but i would prefer the ability to dual boot 7 with itsself so i am able to move the files with ease

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html?ltr=W

 

[maccaquacker]

I have been reading the tutorial here and am interested to know if this method will work for me without performing extra steps (just delete the old partitions within the installer, and then create a new and stick 7 on it)

also, if this fails during install is there a way by which i can restore my system to its previous state?

 

[seavixen32]

It is the method I use for a clean install of Windows.

Its main benefit is that you can decide at the outset how many partitions you're going to have and how big they're going to be. However, one partition will be used for the master boot record whose default size is 100MB, but you can of course make it bigger if you want.

This method has never failed me so I'm not 100% certain you can revert back to your old setup if it did, but I would have thought once you've cleaned the drive ready for your new partitions, there's no going back.

 

[gregrocker]

The process to get a perfect reinstall is described here: Reinstalling Windows 7

Until then you can delete the Recovery and Vista partition but not the partition which is marked System as your boot files are on it - until you recover them back into the Win7 partition using the method I gave you earlier.

If you tell us exactly what you want to do, we will customize the steps for you.

 

[theog]

You can delete the partitions that way, but Windows 7 will boot after.
The way for you a clean install.

 

[maccaquacker]

...until you recover them back into the Win7 partition using the method I gave you earlier.

If you tell us exactly what you want to do, we will customize the steps for you.

Did that not suggest recovering them back into vista?

Exactly what I want to do:
1)Delete Vista and still allow my computer to boot safely
2)I am not so bothered about the extra 9 gb but it would come as a welcome bonus
3)reinstall windows 7 with peace of mind it wont fail because when my computer reboots it has to be off for at least 10 minutes to cool as it has a dodgy design making it overheat on startup, I would like to know if, at the points where win7 installer asks for reboots, that i turn off my pc when i see my manufacturer logo and allow it to cool to prevent a crash whilst installing

 

[seavixen32]

If you boot into your Windows 7 DVD and choose the Custom (not Upgrade) option, deleting all the old partitions will get rid of Vista for you, and once you've created your new partitions, decide which one Windows 7 is going on, click Next and the installation wizard will walk you through each step of the procedure.

However, I have to question the wisdom of a fresh install of Windows 7 on a computer that is overheating. Would it not be best to sort out that issue first?

 

[maccaquacker]

However, I have to question the wisdom of a fresh install of Windows 7 on a computer that is overheating. Would it not be best to sort out that issue first?

I have had this issue for ages and it only ocurrs on boot, have had a thread in vista forums related to this but never got solved with endless suggestions, the fact it only happens on boot does not really bother me, I just want to know if my computer can be off at the restart points

 

[gregrocker]

Your boot files are on the System partition created at the factory to facilitate factory utilities and Recovery partition's function which may no longer be viable with Win7 installation, and most certainly are not needed once Vista is deleted.

Because the boot files are on neither OS partition, you can delete Vista without problem as well as the first partition. The System partition must stay until it's boot files are moved to Win7 using the process I gave earlier.

As stated you should resolve the heat issue by blowing the dust from your pc (laptop or tower?) with canned air, and inspecting the processor to see if it might need repasting with thermal paste. Adding a case fan always greatly helps. Video Tutorials for these can be found on the web.

But a clean install is always a good idea especially if you're left with remnants of a factory install. A clean install is nothing to fear as it is almost always a great improvement. Just follow these steps (which apply) to get a perfect reinstall then you can save a backup image so you never have to reinstall again: Reinstalling Windows 7

If you want a path back then save a backup image of Win7 using free Macrium Reflect or Acronis premium cloning/imaging app available free if you have a WD or Seagate HD. Macrium - Image your system
Seagate Acronis cloning free util
WD Acronis free cloning app
You can recover the boot files to Win7 first, or include the boot partition in your image, or wait until after any reimaging to mark Active and repair to write the boot files to Win7.

 

[seavixen32]

However, I have to question the wisdom of a fresh install of Windows 7 on a computer that is overheating. Would it not be best to sort out that issue first?

I have had this issue for ages and it only ocurrs on boot, have had a thread in vista forums related to this but never got solved with endless suggestions, the fact it only happens on boot does not really bother me, I just want to know if my computer can be off at the restart points

In a nutshell, no. Your computer will shut down and restart without any delay several times during the procedure.

One thing I forgot to mention, don't remove the Windows 7 DVD until the install has finished, and you really should sort out the overheating issue.

 

[maccaquacker]

the heat issue by blowing the dust from your pc (laptop or tower?) with canned air, and inspecting the processor to see if it might need repasting with thermal paste. Adding a case fan always greatly helps. Video Tutorials for these can be found on the web.

Unfortunately, its a laptop, so theres not much I can do. I can try blowing dust from inside but apart from this im at a dead end

thankfully, I plan on getting a new pc this xmas, so my issue will be resolved when that time comes

 

[seavixen32]

the heat issue by blowing the dust from your pc (laptop or tower?) with canned air, and inspecting the processor to see if it might need repasting with thermal paste. Adding a case fan always greatly helps. Video Tutorials for these can be found on the web.

Unfortunately, its a laptop, so theres not much I can do. I can try blowing dust from inside but apart from this im at a dead end

thankfully, I plan on getting a new pc this xmas, so my issue will be resolved when that time comes

In that case, why don't you hold off from using Windows 7 until then? I'd hate to see you go through a time-consuming install only to have problems with it.

 

[gregrocker]

http://timtrott.co.uk/dismantle-clean-repair-hp-laptop/

 

[maccaquacker]

Your boot files are on the System partition created at the factory to facilitate factory utilities and Recovery partition's function which may no longer be viable with Win7 installation, and most certainly are not needed once Vista is deleted.

Because the boot files are on neither OS partition, you can delete Vista without problem as well as the first partition. The System partition must stay until it's boot files are moved to Win7 using the process I gave earlier.

The boot files don't seem to be on the system drive, they are on 7, can I not just delete the two partitions?