Merge 3 Partitions

[iKeirNez]

I recently bought a new computer. It had 3 partitions 2 of them both had Windows Vista installed and the 3rd one had some other files. I went and installed Windows 7 over one of the vista partitions but the other 2 partitions have data on them and I want to put it all into one partition.

I do not need the data on the other 2 partitions. So basically I want to merge 3 partitions while keeping the data from one of the partitions. Would I need to completely reinstall windows 7?

Keir

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Keir, welcome to Seven Forums!


Before we make any specific recommendations will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire Windows disk management drive map with a full description as to which drive/partition is which, so we can see what you have going on.

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a maximized snip of that.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums


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[theog]

Have you made your Recovery Disks?

Can you post a screen shot of Disk management?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

Screenshot tools.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
Snipping Tool - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html

 

[iKeirNez]

Hello Keir, welcome to Seven Forums!


Before we make any specific recommendations will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire Windows disk management drive map with a full description as to which drive/partition is which, so we can see what you have going on.

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a maximized snip of that.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums


​

Have you made your Recovery Disks?

Can you post a screen shot of Disk management?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

Screenshot tools.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
Snipping Tool - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html

Is that the Windows Install Disc?

Screenshot:



1st Partition - Recovery KEEP
2nd Partition - Main Drive KEEP IN PLACE
3rd Partition - To be merged to 2nd Partition
4th Partition - To be merged to 2nd Partition

Thanks

 

[theog]

What OS's do you have on partition 2 & 4?

 

[iKeirNez]

What OS's do you have on partition 2 & 4?

On 2 I have Windows 7 Professional this is my primary.

On 4 I have Windows Vista which I need to get rid of!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You are aware this is the Windows that you were using when this snip was made?

click to enlarge

​

 

[iKeirNez]

You are aware this is the Windows that you were using when this snip was made?

click to enlarge
View attachment 166808
​

Sorry I was doing it in the order downwards just below the menu bar.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

OK the first thing that needs done is to make the C: partition the Windows "System Active" partition so the System boot files can be (re)created to the C: partition, don't do anything else until you do that.


Start by having a look at thsi tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times


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[theog]

Partition 1 is the Recovery partition for ACER partition 2.

 

[whs]

Unfortunately your D partition is the active partition (where the bootmgr resides). So the task is not that easy.

If I were you, I would backup all my user data and start from scratch. That means delete the C, D and E partitions and define a new partition in that unallocated space. Then reinstall /7 there.

There are other ways of doing it by saving your data from D and E, then image C. After deletion of C, D and E and the definition of a new partition there, you restore the image. Then you repair the bootmgr and off you go.

 

[gregrocker]

Once you delete Vista the REcovery partition will no longer run, so make your Recovery disks if you think you might ever want to restore the computer to factory condition to resell it and/or move your Win7 elsewhere.

Since your partitions are almost empty, I would just go ahead and use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to delete all but C, then rightclick C to Resize, drag it's left border all the way to left so it is in the preferred lower HD address for faster reads. Then drag the right border of C to the left to make space for a new data partition of the size desired.

Once you delete then resize as desired, click on C to Modify>Set to Active, OK. Then click on HD to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, apply it to see if Win7 will start when rebooted. If not boot into the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run the 3 Startup Repairs which BareFootKid linked above.

 

[iKeirNez]

OK the first thing that needs done is to make the C: partition the Windows "System Active" partition so the System boot files can be (re)created to the C: partition, don't do anything else until you do that.


Start by having a look at thsi tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times


​

Okay I will try and do this soon!

Partition 1 is the Recovery partition for ACER partition 2.

I definetely know that partition 1 is the recovery partition for ACER!

 

[iKeirNez]

Unfortunately your D partition is the active partition (where the bootmgr resides). So the task is not that easy.

If I were you, I would backup all my user data and start from scratch. That means delete the C, D and E partitions and define a new partition in that unallocated space. Then reinstall /7 there.

There are other ways of doing it by saving your data from D and E, then image C. After deletion of C, D and E and the definition of a new partition there, you restore the image. Then you repair the bootmgr and off you go.

Okay! Well I could do that!

Once you delete Vista the REcovery partition will no longer run, so make your Recovery disks if you think you might ever want to restore the computer to factory condition to resell it and/or move your Win7 elsewhere.

Since your partitions are almost empty, I would just go ahead and use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to delete all but C, then rightclick C to Resize, drag it's left border all the way to left so it is in the preferred lower HD address for faster reads. Then drag the right border of C to the left to make space for a new data partition of the size desired.

Once you delete then resize as desired, click on C to Modify>Set to Active, OK. Then click on HD to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, apply it to see if Win7 will start when rebooted. If not boot into the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run the 3 Startup Repairs which BareFootKid linked above.

How can I create the recovery discs?

 

[theog]

Acer Empowering Technology > Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support - Answers, E-Mail, Chat - How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf



You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

 

[iKeirNez]

Acer Empowering Technology > Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support - Answers, E-Mail, Chat - How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf

View attachment 166874

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

I don't think I will need one anyway. I have the Windows 7 disc anyway!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again.


Have a look at this tutorial linked below for some ideas.

Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS

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[iKeirNez]

Hello again.


Have a look at this tutorial linked below for some ideas.

Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS

​

Okay I will have a look later. The computer is being used by someone else just now lol!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

OK just to be sure to post back here with updates so we know how you get on.