Set Up Problem (Easy Fix?)

[oriond]

Hi guys, you've probably been pestered a few times in regards to deleting Vista 64 and adding Windows 7 as the main o/s.

I've read through a few of the threads and all don't seem to offer the exact help/solution I need - though they are extremely helpful tutorials for a novice such as myself.

I have installed Windows 7 64 on a seperate drive (e) - new install.
Vista 64 sits on the c drive.

I have attempted to move mbrs, change drive lettering etc to no avail.

Do I need the main o/s (Windows 7) to be set as Drive C?

If so how do I do this?

Then deleting Vista off the other drive completely.

Thanking you all in advance.

Attached is a screenshot of my Computer management screen.

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Most difficulties are dual boots with XP, due to a completely different boot manager system.
Vista and Win7 have the same boot manager system, so it's much easier.

Do not follow any posts for removing XP from a dual boot.

Before making these boot manager changes I would recommend making a backup image of Disk1 drive E and Disk0 Drive C.

First make sure Win7 is set as your default OS, if it was installed last it will be first on the list. But, good idea to check first.
Follow this Seven Forums tutorial.

Click here :ar:Default Operating System - Change Default Boot OS

If win7 is first on the list and is your default OS in the boot menu, you can follow this tutorial to remove Vista from the boot menu.
Make sure all other programs are closed, as mentioned in the tutorial below, you will have to re-boot for changes to be made.

Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot

After re-starting your computer you shouldn't see the dual boot menu and should go directly into Win7.

If it works as mentioned above, you can delete the Vista partition.

When you boot into Win7 it should call itself drive C, If it doesn't reply here.

You might find it convenient to make the Win7 partition smaller, 80GB is plenty of space for it to run in.

Partition or Volume - Shrink

Then make another partition with the un-allocated space, this you can use for personal data storage or anything else you might want.

Partition or Volume - Create New

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[oriond]

Thanks Dave76 for the quick reply.

I've made Windows 7 the default OS and as you mentioned it went straight into the Windows 7 start screen.

However it's still showing Windows 7 as the (E drive and Vista
as the (C drive in Computer Management. I am hesitant to delete Vista.

 

[oriond]

EDIT: The o/s I'm booting into BTW is Windows 7.

 

[oriond]

OK. I have somehow managed to delete Vista and I am now operating on Windows 7
The Drive Letter is still marked E. Have attempted to change the Drive letter to C. But no go there.
How do I amend my Drive Letter to C?

 

[gregrocker]

Hi guys, you've probably been pestered a few times in regards to deleting Vista 64 and adding Windows 7 as the main o/s.

I've read through a few of the threads and all don't seem to offer the exact help/solution I need - though they are extremely helpful tutorials for a novice such as myself.

I have installed Windows 7 64 on a seperate drive (e) - new install.
Vista 64 sits on the c drive.

I have attempted to move mbrs, change drive lettering etc to no avail.

Do I need the main o/s (Windows 7) to be set as Drive C?

If so how do I do this?

Then deleting Vista off the other drive completely.

Thanking you all in advance.

Attached is a screenshot of my Computer management screen.

Should be easy.

Unplug the Vista drive, either plug its cable into the Win7 drive, or

Set Win7 drive in BIOS as first HDD to boot (after DVD drive)

then boot into the Win7 installer and run Startup Repair 3 times as it will have multiple issues to fix.

Win7 should take the C: once it cannot see Vista

later plug the Vista drive back in to delete and format, using bootable Partition Wizard if necessary.

 

[oriond]

thanks for the prompt reply gregrocker.

I've set Windows 7 drive in BIOS as first HDD to boot, I've run the start up repair. It's saying there are no problems and strangely enough lists Windows 7 as C Drive. Vista has already been blown away and reformatted.

What am I missing here?

Thanks in advance. Sorry if I'm being a nuisance.

 

[gregrocker]

Will it start up?

I see that storage drive got marked active which could confuse things. Best to unplug it if you need to boot into Win7 installer to run Startup Repair.

In fact, you need to move the files off, delete that drive, then reformat to get the active flag off of it.

Startup repair will need at least three reboots as it will rewrite the MBR after trying to repair it.

 

[oriond]

It starts up ok.
I'll delete Y: Drive then Format.
Then I'll run the repair again.

 

[gregrocker]

It starts up ok.
I'll delete Y: Drive then Format.
Then I'll run the repair again.

It may startup without it.

But yes, best to only have one active drive.

 

[oriond]

Have only one active drive in 0. Ran the repair 3 times - no dice.

What a peculiar issue.

Is it simpler to keep my main o/s as E Drive?

What are the ramifications?

 

[gregrocker]

I don't believe you have a choice what letter Windows 7 wants to call itself. C is best, I would guess, but it makes no difference. I can't even see what letter it has now.

You say you ran startup repair after unplugging the data drive which had somehow marked itself active since earlier screenshots were posted, right?

Well, what is the problem if you can startup windows 7? It won't startup with that data drive plugged in after formatting?

I'm missing something which might be your goal here?

 

[oriond]

My last attempt was to change the Drive lettering from E to C for the main o/s.

If you can see no real problem having it named as E, I am happy with that. I thought (being a newbie) that o/s' had to be on the C Drive.

 

[gregrocker]

I didn't see any reference in your posts to trying to change the drive letter on an Active system drive.

It will ALWAYS make your system unbootable and is not recoverable, as I have learned.

I thought you said Win7 had assumed C: letter when you unplugged Vista.

There will be no difference in performance with it on E:

Enjoy Windows 7!

 

[SIW2]

Greg's right - don't try to change the letter of an installed o/s.

It's fine as it is.

 

[oriond]

Thanks to you gregrocker for your patience and quick replies, helps me understand what I am actually playing around with . Thankyou too SIW2. What a top forum.