Solved Format HDD with 2 partitions

[Aussiegreg]

Hello. here's the background.
My SSD system hdd crashed. Took it back to retailer, unsure whether I would get a replacement, so bought a velociraptor HDD and installed Win7etc. Some time later received replacement SSD for the failed one, so installed it, disconnected the velociraptor, and reinstalled Win 7 on the replaced SSD.
Now I want to format the velociraptor and use it for backup.
It has 2 partitions:
100mbNTFS healthy, active, primary and
139.64gbNTFS healthy, Primary
How do I combine these into one partion and format them so I end up with a clean, basic disk
I have read about extending volumes and have formatted plenty of disks in the past, but it seems there is the possibility of changing the disk to a dynamic disk, and I want to avoid that.
I would greatly appreciate advice on how to do this.
AG

 

[chris1neji]

I suggest just formatting the hard disk drive. Unless there is information on it that you need it should be ok to format it.

rb: - > type in "Disk Management" ->

In here you will need to find your HDD that corresponds to the WD Raptor. You should see both partitions on ONE disk (or row).
In the same row you should see the 139GB and 100MB, just delete both volumes.
You should now have 2 unaalocated volumes. In order for Windows to use them you need to format them. When you do so it will just be 1 single partition disk.

PLEASE TAKE EXTREME CAUTION
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2668-partition-volume-delete.html
This is a tutorial that guides you trough the process of deleting volumesm, in case my instructions were a mess.
Please ask questions if you have any doubts

THIS SHOULD RESULT IN A BASIC DISK TYPE. Is that what you want?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

A screen shot of Disk Management would be helpful.

Does the SSD boot the PC when the Velociraptor is not connected?

Is there an active system partition on the SSD?

If so, you can likely just delete the partitions on the Velociraptor.

But a screen shot would be preferable to confirm what is going on.

You should not have dynamic disk issues until you go beyond 3 partitions on a disc. As far as I know, Disk Management will always warn you if it is considering dynamic disks. Always say no and instead go to extended/logical partitions.

 

[Night Hawk]

While you are in the Disk Management tool if booting from the SSD you can simply right click on the 100mb System Reserved boot and Main primary seen on the WD drive to select the delete volume option. That remove both partitions where you then simply create a new volume and format it after.

Others of course prefer the Disk Part tool and manually delete and create partitions using the command line approach. Or they would use a 3rd party app.

 

[Aussiegreg]

Wow! Thank you all for the response
I have included a 'snip' of disk management.
G and H are on the VRaptor.
C is the replaced SSD.
Ignatzatsonic, the computer boots from the SSD, with or without the VR connected. I have set the SSD as 1st. boot priority in the bios. When I boot, it does not recognise that there is another O/S installed.
I think I am in tune with what you are saying, but look forward to your reply[ies].
Must be getting cautious in my old age!
Thank you. Greg

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That's quite a mess.

What is the purpose of drive D and drive F? Do they contain only data of some type?

Do you want to end up with just one operating system: Windows 7 on drive C, the SSD?

 

[Aussiegreg]

Hi ignatzatsonic,
Yes, D and F contain mainly music and some other data.
And yes I just want one O/S on drive C.
Originally, when disk 0 was the O/S disk, it was drive C.
After I installed the replacement SSD [disk 2] and loaded Win7, it became drive C.
Then, when I re-connected Disk 0, it was automatically designated as G and H, even 'tho, it had only been one partition when it was the O/S disk.
And this is what got me concerned in the first place...originally 1 partition, now 2.
Seems to be getting complicated.
But on reading all the answers, which I really appreciate, I think I am complicating this more than it needs.
Mind you , when one 'Bings' or 'Googles' this question, there are some very complicated type of answers given... most of them pushing a third party software.
Hence my caution and decision to seek answers to my exact situation.
Regards Greg

 

[Night Hawk]

The best move since once any drive is added in can offset the default boot/OS drive is to OS the SSD first. Once done and adding the other drive in by replugging that you enter the bios setup boot or Hard Drives to see the SSD moved to the top of the list of drives to see it made the default boot drive again.

This will isolate the other drive as well from seeing boot files placed there and insure the SSD sees a stand alone 7 install.

 

[Aussiegreg]

Thanks all for your help.
I followed the advice given and now have a 139 GB healthy (Primary Partition).
I should not have been so timid, and truly appreciate all your advice.
Thanks Greg