Scared to Re-start the PC

[Cronqsit]

Current OS Running: Windows 7 (Z)
Hard Drive: Maxtor 250GB
Number of Partition: 3 Partitions
Partitions: Windows XP (Y), Windows 7 (Z) and Program Files (B)

Base on the screenshot above. Here is my questions;
I want to Remove/Delete the Windows XP (Y) and its Partition
I want to set the Windows 7 (Z) as the sole and main Bootable, System and Active)

Note: I'm scared to re-install the whole Operating System. It takes 3hours to build my new computer

 

[Cronqsit]

help please

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Welcome Cronqsit mate the C: drive is created by Windows on install and it is the one that your machine boots from.

Why the partition Z is labeled Windows 7 has got me wondering what you have done with that drive?? Is it an old drive that 7 has not been deleted from??

In nay case to get rid of the XP partition or at least get rid of the XP on that partition use Partition Wizard to either delete that partition or at the least wipe it.
Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.

I am away form home at the moment and have only one drive in this laptop but my pic will show you what I mean. If you don't quite understand just post back.
The Partition Wizard is a very handy tool to keep as well for other jobs.

 

[AddRAM]

Simply set windows 7 active, then run startup repair up to 3 times.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Backup your data before you start.

What you can then do, after you have 7 booting on it`s own, is make an image of 7 and store it on your program files partition. Then delete the 1st 2 partitions on disk 1, then re image windows 7 to that 1 large partition you know have at the front part of disk 1.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Simply set windows 7 active, then run startup repair up to 3 times.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Backup your data before you start.

Hum I just didn't get what was where to be honest Addram it seemed to me that there were two versions or two installs of 7 on the one machine on different drives

 

[AddRAM]

I only see 1 windows 7 install and another install called multi media, whatever that is, but nevermind that, he`s only talking about disk 1

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I only see 1 windows 7 install and another install called multi media, whatever that is, but nevermind that, he`s only talking about disk 1

Yep so did I mate but I was under the impression that Windows defaulted to using C: as the boot drive?? Plus that drive was also allocated as drive 0?? But I stand to be corrected

The only reason I can think of is that the OP has renamed the drives / partitions but I was also under the impression that Windows wouldn't allow that and likes to keep C: as the boot drive?? But again I stand to be corrected.

 

[AddRAM]

It will be C when you are booted into it.

Only The Shadow knows for sure.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just an afterthought some more specific system specs would be handy as looking up that board gives me a plethora of options.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

or

Using HW Info

DownloadHW Info and pick the right bit version - HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download -(copy and paste this site into the search bar) If you do not need the runninginformation in the smaller right hand panel close it. In the left hand windowclick on the + for the individual device groupings and they will open out tothe various components.

Goon opening out further until you get to the device itself. click on it and itwill highlight. In the right hand window there will be a very detaileddescription of that device as in brand, speeds model number etc etc These arevery detailed and are just what is needed for searching for drivers etc.

Seemy pic for an example - in this I have opened out my memory and thenhighlighted one of the sticks and you can see the detail.

 

[gregrocker]

What happened here is that Win7 installation media was run from XP so that the C drive (XP at the time) was blocked from being used and it assigned another letter. This is why Win7 installation media should always be booted to install the OS, not run from another OS.

So you're stuck with Win7 on Z. If you don't mind this then you can leave it that way, but it first needs to be made bootable without relying on the System files now on the XP partition.

As Brian said, this is achieved by Marking Win7 Partition Active then running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to write the System boot files to Win7 until it boots and holds the System flag.

To do this there are several steps which must be performing in order as follows:

Download Partition Wizard boot CD ISO, right click to burn to CD with Windows Image Burner, boot the disk: How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube.

Rightclick on C partition to Modify>Set to Inactive, click OK.

Next right click on Win7 partition to Modify>Set to Active, click OK. Apply both steps.

Now power down, unplug DISK0, swap it's cable to Win7 hard drive so it becomes DISK0. Leave C drive unplugged for now.

Boot into Win7 installation Media or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and holds the System flag.

You can then plug back in the other HD, boot back into Partition Wizard CD to delete the XP partition and if desired recover its space into Win7 partition using Partition Wizard Resize Partition - Video Help.

There is one other problem with your install: Program files should not be broken out onto another partition since they write registry keys to Win7 which integrate them into the OS until they are uninstalled. So I would strongly consider reinstalling from the booted Win7 installer to delete all partitions, create New as desired, then Clean Install Windows 7 correctly.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

What happened here is that Win7 installation media was run from XP so that the C drive (XP at the time) was blocked from being used and it assigned another letter. This is why Win7 installation media should always be booted to install the OS, not run from another OS.

So you're stuck with Win7 on Z. If you don't mind this then you can leave it that way, but it first needs to be made bootable without relying on the System files now on the XP partition.

As Brian said, this is achieved by Marking Win7 Partition Active then running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to write the System boot files to Win7 until it boots and holds the System flag.

To do this there are several steps which must be performing in order as follows:

Download Partition Wizard boot CD ISO, right click to burn to CD with Windows Image Burner, boot the disk: How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube.

Rightclick on C partition to Modify>Set to Inactive, click OK.

Next right click on Win7 partition to Modify>Set to Active, click OK. Apply both steps.

Now power down, unplug DISK0, swap it's cable to Win7 hard drive so it becomes DISK0. Leave C drive unplugged for now.

Boot into Win7 installation Media or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and holds the System flag.

You can then plug back in the other HD, boot back into Partition Wizard CD to delete the XP partition and if desired recover its space into Win7 partition using Partition Wizard Resize Partition - Video Help.

There is one other problem with your install: Program files should not be broken out onto another partition since they write registry keys to Win7 which integrate them into the OS until they are uninstalled. So I would strongly consider reinstalling from the booted Win7 installer to delete all partitions, create New as desired, then Clean Install Windows 7 correctly.

Thanks Greg for a really greta explanation I shall remember this for the next time