Does it matter about the 100 MB partition

[sam49]

Hi i have done a search and not found the answer to my question so i hope someone can help me.

I have installed windows 7 to my main desktop computer and i got the 100 Mb partition, now i have installed win 7 to my laptop the drive was already partitioned on when i look at the drives i have not got the 100 Mb partition, after the search i did on this forum i see the reason i did not get the small partition is because the drive was already partitioned, and this is normal.

But my question is will the instalation work or like this or do i need to remove all the partitions and start again.

Hope someone can advise me. :sarc:

 

[severedsolo]

Hi sam49, Im assuming the laptop is booting? If so then you have nothing to worry about

For peace of mind though, please upload a screenshot of Disk Management (search for it in the Start Menu) and we will be able to tell you exactly what is going on.

 

[sam49]

Hi severedsolo

I have sent a screenshot tats if it works

Just to give you a little more information the screenshot will show three patritions. this is a toshiba laptop that was running windows Vista upto yesterday.

So win 7 is installed on the C: drive. the D: is the old data drive that was setup by toshiba with the restore data on it. and the F: the 1.46 Gb is the old hidden partition used by toshiba as the recovery data i just deleted the partition and reformated it.

I would like to remove this 1.46 Gb partition if i can.

Do you think it might be better to remove all the partition and start again

PS and yes the laptop is booting normal.

 

[gregrocker]

Your Win7 is correct and all contained within C.

I'm not sure why you didn't wipe the HD or use the installer to delete all partitions before install since you apparently don't want to preserve the Vista Recovery Partition. The installer would then have issued the 100mb System Reserved partition which places the Repair Console on F8 Advanced Boot Tools.

To do it now requires using a bootable Partition Manager. Download and burn Free Partition Wizard bootable CD using Windows Image Burner: Partition Wizard

Boot PW CD, rightclick delete F, click OK.

Then rightclick to Resize C, drag left grey border to the left to take up deleted F space, OK, Apply all steps.

If Win7 fails to boot, boot DVD Repair console to Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

You can delete everything in D to use it as a Data partition if you haven't already. I'm assuming you made your Recovery Disks before wiping the Vista recovery partition so you have a path back if you decide to sell or gift the machine but keep your Win7 copy.
If not you'll have to order them when needed, or find a Vista retail installer for your version to clean reinstall.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello sam49, welcome to Seven Forums!


To resize Windows 7 into the space to the left of the C: partition, have a look at this tutorial at the link below, it's a complete step-by-step guide and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS


Here's a couple others showing different non-destructive methods to create the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition after Windows 7 has been installed.

System Reserved : Create Using Disk Management

System Reserved : Create for Dual Boot

 

[sam49]

Hi guys thanks for the info, but i decided to delete all the partitions on my hard drive and reinstall windows 7 and now it has the 100mb system reserved partition.
I just need to split the hard drive swo i can have my data partition again.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Sam.


Have a look at these 2 at the links below.


How to Shrink a Partition or Volume in Windows 7


and Method One in this one.

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

 

[sam49]

Hi guys thanks for all the advice you have given mei have got this sorted now thanks to you guys.

Just one last question you talk about downloading the bootable version of partition wizard i have done this but it downloads as a zip file, when i open the zip files there is no ISO to burn so just how do i make a bootable cd plesase

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Sam.


At this link, is this what you are downloading?

Partition Wizard Free Bootable CD

click to enlarge

​

 

[sam49]

Yes the bottom one

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

When you first posted about the dl, I downloaded from that same link just to make sure and I did get an ISO file that when clicked I got this.

click to enlarge

​

 

[sam49]

Hi again i am not sure what happening here as i have just downloaded the same file again and i get a zip file with some iso file in it but it will not make a bootable cd, si i dont know what i am doing wrong

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I'm not sure what's happening, I just used the same link in my post #9 and you can see my dl manager and I get the exact same ISO file dl'd to my desktop that I showed in my last post here, not a zip file at all, just the ISO file.

click to enlarge

​

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there.

Many solutions have been around the net for getting rid of this wretched 100MB system partition --but THIS METHOD is FOOLPROOF and works every time.

The trick is to install or recover an image into a disk which consists of only ONE partition which stops Windows creating the other partition. You need to define THE WHOLE DISK as one partition - don't leave undefined areas. We will re-partition the disk later of course.

The 100 MB partition is the ACTIVE bootable partition and I agree it's a bit of a nuisance if like me you prefer to image a single partition and then use that if you need to recover your OS.

The rest of the "C" partition is a PRIMARY partition and won't boot until you can get it into an ACTIVE partition with the boot program.

So what I would suggest is the following. Ensure you have or can create a W7 recovery disk before starting.

(Tools needed -- Stand alone bootable backup software -- I use Acronis but others should be fine too, a bootable partition manager such as partition manager or GPARTED and enough space to backup your application data and OS on ANOTHER drive --external USB is fine too).

1) Backup ALL your application (non OS) data on any other partition(s) you have on that drive.

2) Backup the OS (normally drive C).

3) create a bootable GPARTED or partition manger ISO.

4) Boot the GPARTED and Wipe the entire disk (we will re-create partitions later) creating A SINGLE partition using the ENTIRE DISK. This will ensure Windows doesn't create the 100 MB system partition.

5) Restore your OS with your backup software AND SPECIFY PARTITION IS ACTIVE.

6) Boot your OS -- it WILL BSOD but that's fine since we use the RECOVERY disk to fix the boot problem.

7) Repair system -- you will now find a W7 installation on a SINGLE large partition.

8) Reboot your partition manager software --GPARTED or partition mananger.

9) repartition the HDD to your taste -- a typical 40 GB partition for W7 should normally be MORE than enough.

10) Restore your application data.

11) Job done -- go and have some Beers etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[severedsolo]

For what it's worth, the link gives me an ISO as well, not a zip.

Might be worth clearing your download history, and then trying again.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

@jimbo, you're a day late and a dollar short mate, read the whole thread. :shock:

 

[sam49]

Well i am lost now i have just tried the same download on my laptop and i got a iso thats very strange why did i get a zip file on my desktop

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good, now use ImgBurn to create the CD at no more than 4x speed with a verify.


ImgBurn Free ISO Burning Software

 

[sam49]

Ok thanks guys i will do that, but right now i have to get ready for work.

 

[SIW2]

LOL.

I understand Jimbo's point.

Many people don't want the 100mb partition and go to some lengths to get rid of it.

It seems the OP misunderstood Greg's post to mean he should have one and deleted all partitions then reinstalled.

Seversolo had already answered the original question and confirmed it was fine as it was.