Solved Deleting 32 bit Window 7

[johnwhite]

I have two SSDs with a 32 bit on one and 64 bit version of Windows 7 on the other. I am almost certain that the 64 bit is on drive D but I would like to be sure before deleting anything. Is there a simple way to identify the opsys and the drive it is installed on?

 

[LittleJay]

Go into the Control Panel and open up System. That should tell you which version of Windows 7 you are currently booted up in.

 

[johnwhite]

Hi Littlejay, thanks you for replying so quickly - problem is the tiny bit of info I need is the drive letter.

 

[Brink]

Hello Johnwhite, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You could disconnect the SSD to see which one you have still connected, then mark the SDD.

 

[johnwhite]

Good idea, I'm just a bit surprised that there isn't a method for the computer to interrogate itself. If by some madness I tried to delete the opsys that was currently in use, would Windows allow that to proceed?

 

[Brink]

No. You would get an "in use" or "access denied" type error.

 

[johnwhite]

Thank you, I think I will try it (I want the redundant SSD to provide a place for a back up image of my main system).

 

[gregrocker]

The OS you are presently booted into will be labeled Boot in Disk Mgmt.

In order for it to be able to boot itself, either it or its System Reserved boot partition must also be labeled System and Active.

So in Disk Mgmt, the OS which is not labeled Boot can be deleted so long as the one you are presently booted into (which should be C) is labeled System, Active, Boot, and Page File.

 

[johnwhite]

That is interesting, I am looking now. I have two SSD a 64GB and 128GB
New Volume D: 59.62 GB NTFS Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition)
System Reserved E: 100 MB NTFS Healthy (Active, Primary Partition)
C: 119.14 GB NTFS Healthy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partion)
So I think the one to delete is on Vol D: the 64GB SSD
Thanks for your help, does my conclusion sound correct?

 

[AddRAM]

Post a shot of disk management from the windows 7 OS you want to keep. You can format the one you want to delete right from disk management.

If you go into Computer Properties (as suggested) it will tell you whether you`re using the 32 bit or the 64 bit OS.

 

[gregrocker]

It would be best to see the screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
since we can't tell by what you wrote which is on which HD, only guess.

But with those listings if System Reserved is on the HD with C then it is intended to boot C but is not doing so as signified by it lacking a System Flag. We see the System flag on D which means it is booting both.

So since System Reserved is already marked Active, you only need to power down to unplug the other SSD, preferably swap its cable to the Win7 drive you want to keep so it is first in order, boot into Win7 installation media or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and SysReserved holds the System Active flags.

You can then plug back in the other drive to delete it in Disk Mgmt. You may need to first Mark Partition as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

 

[johnwhite]

Well I've got a screen shot but the paperclip does not reveal a dropdown menu for the upload!

 

[gregrocker]

Well I've got a screen shot but the paperclip does not reveal a dropdown menu for the upload!

Check for popup

 

[AddRAM]

Well I've got a screen shot but the paperclip does not reveal a dropdown menu for the upload!

It doesn`t give you a drop down, it opens another window. Choose the file you want then click upload.

 

[johnwhite]

If I click on the smiley next door it drops down but the paper clip does not. If I right click the paperclip I get a white background menu that is more system and not the web page, options there "Save image as, Copy image URL.... etc."

 

[johnwhite]

Pop up blocker now off so here is the disk management screenshot!

 

[gregrocker]

You are presently booted into C as signfied by the Boot flag on the partition. C is being booted by the small System Reserved partition to its left which needs both the System and Active flags to be able to boot itself. But the only System flag is on D which means it is booting both OS's now.

So to make C bootable on its own you must write the System boot files to System Reserved partition. Since it is already marked Active, power down to unplug all other HD's, swap the DISK0 cable to DISK1 so that it is the preferred DISK0 position if possible, then boot the Win7 installer to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and System Reserved holds the System Active flags.

You can then plug back in the other drives, wipe any old OS HD of all code using Diskpart Clean Command then repartition it in Disk Mgmt.

I notice you are running the hideous Win98 graphics instead of Win7's beautiful Aero Graphics. I would type Aero into Start Search box to run the Aero Troubleshooter to find out what is needed. At the minimum I would select an Aero, or if it is unavailable a Basic Win7 theme in Control Panel>Personalize to enjoy Win7's much nicer graphics than the Soviet file cabinet theme.

 

[smarteyeball]

I notice you are running the hideous Win98 graphics instead of Win7's beautiful Aero Graphics. I would type Aero into Start Search box to run the Aero Troubleshooter to find out what is needed. At the minimum I would select an Aero, or if it is unavailable a Basic Win7 theme in Control Panel>Personalize to enjoy Win7's much nicer graphics than the Soviet file cabinet theme.

Not quite applicable to the situation though is it? More of a personal preference thing really.