Partition jumble!

[bertie11]

Before I installed my purchased Windows 7 Home Premium a few days ago my system was laid out so:
C:\XP Pro D:\Programs E:\ Editing F:\Data Backup G:\DVD H:\Windows 7 Evaluation copy. This setup worked fine, dual booting OK. Acronis True Image saw all the partitions.

However. Now after installing new Windows 7 onto H:\ (after formatting H:\ first), when the instal finished the layout was like so:
C:\Windows 7 D:\XP Pro E:\Programs F:\Editing G:\ Data Backup H:\DVD.
OK. that all worked, except I had to change a number of paths to reflect diiferent locations. It still dual booted OK.

But, when I run Acronis True Image 2010 from the recovery CD or F11 Startup Manager, the program misses out my F:\Editing partiion, which is where I happen to keep my Acronis backups! Acronis, when run from the program does see all my partitions OK. I believe that the recovery CD and Startup Manager run under Linux which doesn't use the Windows partition recognition system, but I do have them all labelled anyway. I'm concerned that 'losing' an important partition is serious!

Will it be safe to alter the drive letters to bring the system back to the original configuration, or will that mess up the booting/dual boot setup?

I have raised a query with Acronis but I'm waiting on a reply.

What would you folks sugeest here?

 

[SIW2]

Hi bertie,

It is normal. You would be better not trying to change the letter of the operating sytem partitions.

Any decent backup imaging program would have no problem.

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums Bertie.

This layout is normal.
When you boot into XP it will show as C:/XP, Win7 will have another available drive letter.
The booted OS runs better this way. If you change the letters the OS might not be able to boot at all.

SIW2 is our expert in this area, he's always right.

 

[bertie11]

Hi bertie,

It is normal. You would be better not trying to change the letter of the operating sytem partitions.

Any decent backup imaging program would have no problem.

But Acronis TI is a decent backup imaging program but it missed my partition containing my images! I reckon that is a problem.

 

[bertie11]

Welcome to Seven Forums Bertie.

This layout is normal.
When you boot into XP it will show as C:/XP, Win7 will have another available drive letter.
The booted OS runs better this way. If you change the letters the OS might not be able to boot at all.

SIW2 is our expert in this area, he's always right.

I had never noticed that before! I don't like the idea of partition letters changing like that though, but hey, what do I know?

I'm happy with SIW2's advice, I was on the verge of altering the drive letters, just as well I didn't.
Thanks.