Install without 100MB partition new drive

[nate42nd]

I plan to install Windows 7 on a shiny new Partiot Torqx 128GB SSD. I have used this method in the past for new disks. I see no reason why it wouldn't work on an SSD but am I right? The method just uses diskpart (cmd prompt) Would it be just as good to plug it into my working system and create an active partition then install form there and delete the old installation on the other disk?

Here is the method that I know works fine.

During Setup, if you create a new partition on a clean HDD (no partitions), or delete all partitions and then create a new one - from the Partition screen in Setup, Win7 will create the 100MB boot partition, and you can't stop it/cancel it. If you want to install Win7 to a clean HDD, but don't want the boot partition do this:

At the first setup screen (Language, Keyboard, etc.) press SHIFT+F10. This will open a command prompt window. Enter the following diskpart commands to create a partition.

- Diskpart
- List disk
(this command is important. It will show you what disk drives you have. Most likely your hard drive will be will be Disk 0, but you need to check it first.)

- select disk 0
- clean
- create partition primary size=60000
(this creates a partition 60GB in size. If you want to use the whole hard drive, just leave off the size=number)

- select partition 1
- active
- format fs=ntfs quick

Type Exit to leave Diskpart. Type Exit to close the command prompt. Now continue with the install. When you get to the partition screen, highlight the partition you just created and click Next. Windows will install to the partition you created and not create the 100MB boot partition. Instead, you will see a C:\Boot folder when the install is finished (like Vista has).

 

[sup3rsprt]

Good stuff! +Rep

These commands are very useful to know. I used a similar process to fix one of my computers just yesterday.

P.S. - Keep in mind Bitlocker won't be able to encrypt your Windows partition if you do this. (I use Truecrypt anyways)

 

[nate42nd]

Yip, no Bitlocker and thank you sup3rsprt. The method works great.

I just want to make sure I will have no problem using this to install Windows 7 on a new SSD 128GB (solid state disk)

I plan to take to HD I have now with Windows 7 installed, use this method to do a fresh install on th SSD then plug the regular HD back in and format it.

I imagine it should work fine, if anyone has info to the contrary please let me know.

 

[John Henry]

Nice guide mate, +1 for ya!

But actually i'm doing a little different, shortly,

Diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition
select partition 1
format fs=ntfs quick


I just skip some steps.

 

[nate42nd]

Thank you for the simplified option John Henry. That would probably work just fine.

BTW I have read that a disk image created with any program including Windows 7 will not transfer to ad SSD. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

[kukubau]

John Henry
Nice guide mate, +1 for ya!

But actually i'm doing a little different, shortly,

Diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition
select partition 1
format fs=ntfs quick


I just skip some steps.

What steps did you skip??? I don't get it. You took the "clean" step out, that's all.

nate42nd posted the whole process of creating a partition on a harddisk that was cleaned of all existing partitions, valid for new disks.

So your addition is no gain. You didn't help much.

Everyone knows how to run diskpart. And for those who don't know, diskpart is very well documented.

Thanks nate42nd.
(the 100 mb partition is created only for 64 bit version and not for 32 bit)

NO thanks john henry

 

[zrtom]

Thank you for the simplified option John Henry. That would probably work just fine.

BTW I have read that a disk image created with any program including Windows 7 will not transfer to ad SSD. Does anyone know if this is true?

Acronis True Image 11 and TI 2009 will restore images to a SSD successfully and correctly. In fact, there is a way to "realign" the partitions with Acronis after the image is restored. First restore the image but don't select the option to restore "MBR and Track 0." Then go back and restore just "MBR and Track 0." When completed, the correct alignment will be restored.
Tom

 

[richc46]

I have seen in several posts that members do not want to install the 100mb partition. Can someone tell me the benefits and the problems associated with deleting the 100mb partition?

 

[nate42nd]

I have seen in several posts that members do not want to install the 100mb partition. Can someone tell me the benefits and the problems associated with deleting the 100mb partition?

There should be no problem deleting it if you don't plan to use bitlocker.

I have a question for you gurus. I have a new SSD and have already created a partition. I do this so I don't have to use this method when I install. However I understand with an SSD you want Windows 7 to create the partition at install to "align" it properly. Does this mean when you install, you can just delete the existing partition and let the installer make one? SO you would:

Delete the partition with the install disk
Make the new partition
Format it - NTFS
And install

OR

Simply do the install normally with the partition created with Windows 7 in disk management?

Witch one would "align" the partition for the SSD. Does anyone know?

 

[zrtom]

Nate,
If you create the OS partition yourself with the Windows 7 installation disk, I'm not sure whether the install disk knows to align it properly, but it might. And I believe W7 only creates the System Reserved partition when the disk is raw.

It seems that Windows 7 aligns both the System Reserved partition and the OS partition on a cleared (raw) hard drive. That's how it's been, for me at least, on 20-25 W7 installations to SSDs.

So.... you could let Windows 7 create both partitions from a raw disk and just live with the 100mb partition or you could align and format a single OS partition with diskpar. You could also let W7 create both partitions from a raw drive and then delete the 100 mb partition, leaving it unallocated, since the OS partition would be aligned. In fact, you might want to check the alignment of the disk as you have it formatted and if it's okay, install directly to that partition.

In any event, correct alignment is critical for the SSD. If you need any links on aligning partitions with diskpar, etc., let me know.

Tom

p.s. Not answered as a guru; I'm just up late.....lol

 

[MacGyvr]

John Henry
Nice guide mate, +1 for ya!

But actually i'm doing a little different, shortly,

Diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition
select partition 1
format fs=ntfs quick


I just skip some steps.

What steps did you skip??? I don't get it. You took the "clean" step out, that's all.

nate42nd posted the whole process of creating a partition on a harddisk that was cleaned of all existing partitions, valid for new disks.

So your addition is no gain. You didn't help much.

Everyone knows how to run diskpart. And for those who don't know, diskpart is very well documented.

Thanks nate42nd.
(the 100 mb partition is created only for 64 bit version and not for 32 bit)

NO thanks john henry

Not correct. Both 32 bit and 64 bit create the boot partition.

 

[MacGyvr]

I don't understand why you would NOT want the boot partition to be there. It also contains the Windows Recovery Environment that can help you recover from a corrupted operating system.

Sometimes doing something just because you can isn't the best reason.

 

[nate42nd]

I don't understand why you would NOT want the boot partition to be there. It also contains the Windows Recovery Environment that can help you recover from a corrupted operating system.

Sometimes doing something just because you can isn't the best reason.

Some people want it. Don't use this if you want to use it. I don't use it or know anyone who has ever used it. I posted this for the masses.

 

[nate42nd]

Nate,
If you create the OS partition yourself with the Windows 7 installation disk, I'm not sure whether the install disk knows to align it properly, but it might. And I believe W7 only creates the System Reserved partition when the disk is raw.

It seems that Windows 7 aligns both the System Reserved partition and the OS partition on a cleared (raw) hard drive. That's how it's been, for me at least, on 20-25 W7 installations to SSDs.

So.... you could let Windows 7 create both partitions from a raw disk and just live with the 100mb partition or you could align and format a single OS partition with diskpar. You could also let W7 create both partitions from a raw drive and then delete the 100 mb partition, leaving it unallocated, since the OS partition would be aligned. In fact, you might want to check the alignment of the disk as you have it formatted and if it's okay, install directly to that partition.

In any event, correct alignment is critical for the SSD. If you need any links on aligning partitions with diskpar, etc., let me know.

Tom

p.s. Not answered as a guru; I'm just up late.....lol

Looks like if you want Windows 7 to create the partition for you (to properly align it) you are stuck with the 100MB partition. I have been sitting here for 20 min trying to delete and reformat with the install disk but it will not let you get out of it,,,,,

 

[zrtom]

I think if you format the drive (aligned) on, say, another computer and then throw W7 at it, the install disk will use the partition as it is.

I like having the Recovery Enviroment on a separate partition. Indeed I've use the setautofailover.cmd to move it to a small RE partition in the past. Here's some reading on the issue. A little old, but still pertinent.
Windows RE Notes : How to install Windows RE on the hard disk

 

[nate42nd]

Thanks man, I decided to just use the 100MB partition for a while. When I get the final copy I will do away with it. It can't hurt anything and according to you I now have an aligned partition now. Thanks for the help. I might need some in the future and maybe I can help you with something.

 

[zrtom]

Great! Sounds like a plan.
Tom

 

[Nosmo]

nate42nd
Good info. Thank you.
I have read that if you have a second hard drive installed, Win7 will stick the 100MB
partition there. Have you found this to be true?

Win 7 aligns the partition to 1024 by itself so no worries.
If in any doubt, in Diskpart add the line
create partition primary align 1024, but this is not required in Win7

 

[nate42nd]

nate42nd
Good info. Thank you.
I have read that if you have a second hard drive installed, Win7 will stick the 100MB
partition there. Have you found this to be true?

Win 7 aligns the partition to 1024 by itself so no worries.
If in any doubt, in Diskpart add the line
create partition primary align 1024, but this is not required in Win7

Thanks for the tip. Also no, I had 3 disks connected when installing and it put the 100MB on my SSD.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Didn't really read more then the first page (its 4:17am so I'm tired) although, the way I get rid of the 100mb partition is..

During setup, after it creates the 100mb partition, delete the other one (the one you want to use, trust me), then 'format' the 100mb partition, then 'Extend' the 100mb partition to use all of the one we deleted earlier.

That is how I do it anyways, quick and simple.