Hiding Windows 7 disk from XP

[DarkStar GT]

I have a dual-boot Windows 7 and XP PC and wanted to stop XP deleting Windows 7's System Restore Points.

I followed this tutorial: System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete - Vista Forums using Option 2: The Manual Way and rebooted XP.

But I can still see the Windows 7 disk (D: ) and access the files on it. Attached is a screenshot taken in XP. What have I missed?

 

[gregrocker]

It is never a good idea to mess with the registry. I hope you set a restore point so you can get back.

The best way to achieve what you want is to install the OS's on separate HD's and have a BIOS managed Dual Boot, not a Windows-managed Dual boot.

Each HD has its own System MBR and boots via BIOS boot order or one-time Boot Menu. Set the preferred HD as first to boot in BIOS setup, or if you want the other HD to boot then tap the Fkey given on first bootup menu for one-time Boot Menu to trigger it instead.

If you already have the OS's on separate HD's and want to extricate them from WIndows-managed Dual Boot, post back a screenshot of your full DIsk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, atttaching file using Paper Cilp in Reply Box.

 

[DarkStar GT]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I did set a System Restore Point (and an Acronis True Image backup).

XP and Windows 7 are in two partitions on the same disk. The installations were done by my supplier. Reinstalling Windows 7 onto a separate disk is not something that I wish to undertake.

I will double-check the tutorial, but I cannot see why it did not work.

 

[viruzth]

what i do with my dual boot is;
@XP
right click on my computer - click manage - disk management
right click at partition you wanna hide - click change drive letter option - remove the drive letter

 

[DarkStar GT]

I've not heard about REMOVING drive letters - it sounds risky to me. How does the BIOS/ boot-up respond? Any other issues?

I've double-checked and the Windows 7 disk is still accessible from XP. Any ideas why the tutorial is not working for me?

 

[gregrocker]

removing drive letter from other OS in Disk Management is done to hide its' files from OS you are in.

I'm not sure it comes to bear on Restore points issue with XP dual boot which was supposed to be fixed in RTM.

What build Win7 are you using?

 

[DarkStar GT]

Its Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. But you'll have to help me out here: where do I find the Build details?

As I understand it, Windows XP Home that does not recognise the Windows 7 System Restore files on the Windows 7 disk and promptly deletes them. So next time in Windows 7, there are no System Restore points.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried turning off Sys REstore for Win7 in XP System Protection, then turning it off for XP in Win7 System Protection?

 

[DarkStar GT]

No I haven't. System Restore was initially disabled for both OS. First, in XP, I enabled it for C:\ only (strictly I enabled it for all disks, then disabled it for all but the C: disk). I then followed the tutorial, editing the Registry and rebooted XP. The D:\ disk (Widows Seven) was still visible and its files were accessible.

At the moment, System Restore is enabled only for the system disks on both OS.
In Windows XP:
-- On for C:
-- Off for D: (the Windows Seven disk)
In Windows Seven:
-- On for C:
-- Off for D: (the Windows XP disk)

 

[gregrocker]

That should work, unless there is a bug.