Removing XP Partition

[peterN]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't seem to find an answer anywhere. I have a pc that came with XP Home preinstalled, and I installed Windows 7 Ultimate on a new partition. I haven't used XP in months, and I think it's safe to say I have no use for it anymore. Since XP is installed on the first partition on my hard drive, how can I safely delete it?

 

[theog]

Take look at this tutorial:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2288-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot.html?ltr=O

 

[peterN]

I want to remove the entire XP partition to free up some extra space, but since it is the boot partition, will I be able to?

 

[Saltgrass]

The boot files are probably on the XP partition. If you look at Disk Management and it shows "system" on that partition, or you look for Hidden, System files and see a bootmgr, that is more than likely the System Partition.

If you just delete the XP partition, you system will not boot. It can be repaired, however by making the Win 7 partition active and running a Startup repair 2 or three times.

If you post a snipping tool picture of your Disk Managment window, it might help.

 

[peterN]

I want to remove the Windows XP "D" Partition.

 

[myzr7]

Peter Have a look at this thread, sounds like some third party software will do the trick. Good luck to you
http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...ing-windows-xp-sp3-dual-boot-windows-7-a.html

 

[peterN]

It looks like that thread hit the nail on the head. I will give it a try, thanks!

I used Partition Wizard to mark the Windows 7 Partition as active, then did startup repair twice, and everything is working great now. All that's left is to remove the partition. Thanks for your help!

 

[gregrocker]

As resizing operations can fail, back up your files and a Win7 backup image externally.

Use Partition Wizard bootable CD, boot it, select 1 for screen resolution, right click XP partition to Delete, OK.

Now right click Win7 partition, select Resize, grab left border in grey area and drag over the deleted XP space up against the left side of HD, OK.

Next right click Win7 to Modify>Set Active, OK. Apply all steps.

Now boot into Win7 DVD Repair console, click through to recovery tools list and run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times if necessary to repair MBR after resize operation.

 

[peterN]

Everything was successful, I used Partition Wizard to change the active partition and GParted to resize the remaining disk space. Thanks again to everyone who helped.

 

[myzr7]

Thanks for posting your resolution. Thats a nice disk management picture. Two partitions OS and Data very good. Enjoy!