Solved formatting half of partitioned C drive

[mdamon]

quick question, maybe? ha

I have a partitioned C drive on a Dell Dimension 2400, so I have half C: and the other half Z:

on the Z part I have installed windows 7
on the C part is windows xp

question being, will it hurt anything if i just format the C drive?

btw, the C drive is primary and the Z is logical

so after i format it can i just combine them back so i have full disk space for my windows 7?

 

[Sardonicus]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/109752-partition-recover-space-used-older-os.html

 

[mdamon]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/109752-partition-recover-space-used-older-os.html

already problem with step 1. haha

It wont even let me set the partitioned windows 7 as active...it shows it but not "system active"

 

[Sardonicus]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html

 

[Phone Man]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html

read the Note: at that link.
You can NOT mark a Logical drive active, only Primary drives can be active. You have to change it to a Primary first.

Jim

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello mdamon, welcome to Seven Forums!


You can use Option Four in this tutorial at the link below to convert the Windows 7 partition to a Primary first, then mark it Active and run the startup repairs discussed in the main body of this second tutorial and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Then the XP space can be recovered.


Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

 

[mdamon]

welllll I got rid of the xp part of it but forgot about the boot info i need for windows 7 to boot now...

i get ntldr is missing error

I can boot to the mini tools cd to edit the partitions and what not...
so i guess how would i get windows 7 boot info onto the partition?
I set it as primary and made it active..but need the boot infor

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello mdamon, welcome to Seven Forums!


You can use Option Four in this tutorial at the link below to convert the Windows 7 partition to a Primary first, then mark it Active and run the startup repairs discussed in the main body of this second tutorial and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Then the XP space can be recovered.


Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Did you run the 3 separate startup repairs to the Windows 7 Primary partition after it was marked active?

 

[mdamon]

I cant even get it to boot into windows 7

secondly, my computer only has CD drive, it has a DVD drive but it wont let me boot from that, bios doesnt recognize it so I cant boot from the Windows 7 DVD, I can boot from CD, but not DVD they're separate drives

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Then use this as a CD to boot and do the startup repairs.

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

 

[mdamon]

that doesnt have to be a DVD?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

From Option One step #3 from the tutorial.

3. Insert a blank CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click on the Create disc button.

 

[mdamon]

Thank you, sorry. I'm on little to none sleep and I know im close. Laziness. :S Once i get it burned and started ill post more info weather i got it or not

again, thanks for the prompt replies

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You could put it om a USB stick also.


USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

 

[mdamon]

haha, dont even get me started on the usb...im doing this on a dell dimension 2400...and for some reason it will not boot from usb AT ALL

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

​

 

[mdamon]

SUCCESS!
at first I wasnt sure it was working

ran it two more times, started from C: and windows 7 booted.
Thank You again!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Glad I could help; now you can use Step numbers 2 & 3 to recover the old XP space.


USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

 

[mdamon]

UGH, ha, hate to burst the bubble, it did boot. However...when i boot, its just a blue screen lke an only school windows, and i can only access task manager...cant access all my files, and wont show my original desktop i had.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Can you post a camera snap of Partition Wizard?


There are ways to get your data if it comes to that.

How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista