Ubuntu, 7, XP - Restore XP, reinstall 7

[No8]

Hello all. First a big thanks to all contributors. Your posts have allowed me to help others with 7 issues, even though I wasn't running it.

I'm not sure if the steps I think are correct are indeed correct.

Currently installed: XP (1st HDD), Windows 7 and Ubuntu(2nd HDD).

Want to do: Remove Ubuntu and Win7, keep XP.

Goal: Dual boot fresh Win 7 with old XP.

From the things I've read, I probably just need to use my XP CD to fix the MBR, after which my PC will just boot straight into XP.

Then repartition and format the 2nd HDD (for Win7 to live on).

Reboot with 7 DVD and install.

Background:
I have an old XP install with lots of little tools and tweaks that I want to keep. A few months ago, I got a copy of Win 7 with product key from a Microsoft Gold Partner(I worked for one of their sub-companies)- knowing that they get bulk licenses, I didn't bother to check. Turns out it was a hacked copy which I discovered a few days later (after I had installed Ubuntu).

So Windows 7 was just taking up disk space and providing an extra boot menu.

I now have a legit copy of Windows 7(no funky business involved) and don't have anything more to do with that person or company.

I'm not bothered with Ubuntu any longer (another story for another site) and I just ordered some software that will run best under Windows 7.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome No so if you don't want anything on HDD2 why not just wipe it?

Simple to do with DISKPART, Partition Wizard or secure erase the Ubuntu I keep as a bootable disk for when I can't access a drive so you could have the best of all worlds.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html < should do jut that.

The wiping / erasing of that drive before you do that as I said can be done using those functions.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/172617-secure-erase-wipe-definition-methods.html

Partition Manager Server, server partition manager and partition magic server for Windows Server 2000/2003/2008. Server Partition software for Windows Server and None-Server partitions < use the wipe disk (writes 0's to the whole drive then just a matter of using DISKPART to get it ready.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html < just do from DISKPART to exit.

Oops forgot http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=downloads < make a bootable disk and run a secure erase from that.

 

[No8]

Thanks for all the tips ICit2lol.

Yes, I will be wiping (repartitioning to combine the win7 and ubuntu partitions and formatting) the 2nd drive. I also know which tool I'll be using for the partitioning... perhaps I wrote too much in my first post.

What I need confirmation for:

If I use the XP CD to restore the MBR, will it mean my PC will from then on just boot into XP (like it did before installing 7 and Ubuntu)?

-After that I'll clean the 2nd HDD and install Win7 on it to dual boot with XP.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks for all the tips ICit2lol.

Yes, I will be wiping (repartitioning to combine the win7 and ubuntu partitions and formatting) the 2nd drive. I also know which tool I'll be using for the partitioning... perhaps I wrote too much in my first post.

What I need confirmation for:

If I use the XP CD to restore the MBR, will it mean my PC will from then on just boot into XP (like it did before installing 7 and Ubuntu)?

-After that I'll clean the 2nd HDD and install Win7 on it to dual boot with XP.

I am not sure my friend I had a 7-8 dual boot when 8 was in beta and it used to boot straight to 8 if I didn't click on the initial screen at all or quick enough.

I am sure there will be an option - I'll have a look. The same goes with the Ubuntu if you need it it just gives you the option of install just run - very handy to have that disk mate when the HDD is playing up cos you can recover data without even knowing things like the login password.

Once you have the 7 up and running a good idea is to use the optimise tutorial to me it is like the Bible and will get you at least 20% more speed out of the machine at the cost of transparency etc which really is no worry to me but it certainly helps with fast(er) boot and shut down amongst other stuff.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html?filter[2]=Performance Maintenance

Good luck and let us know how you go - am interested.

John

PS Chissie present for you http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

[gregrocker]

Back up your files, gather your program installers, put your Win7 network driver on backup so you can quickly get online to do all of your Important and Optional Windows Updates, only importing drives which are then missing in Device Manager. More tips to prepare for, get and keep a perfect install here.

Boot the Win7 installer, at first screen press Shift F10 to open a Command Line, run Diskpart Clean Command.

Close Command Prompt, click Install now, create and format desired partitions using Drive Options shown in step 6,7 of Clean Install Windows 7. Install Win7 to first partition after 100mb boot partition which you can ignore.

If you want WIn7 to configure a Dual Boot menu with XP, leave it plugged in but take extra precaution not to wipe the XP HD! If you want to boot HD's separately via BIOS Boot order or BIOS Boot Menu key, unplug the XP HD during install.