Solved Uninstall Vista (Native OS), but leave Windows 7 (Secondary OS)

[cdmoomaw]

Okay, let me make sure I have this right:

- (from win7) mark the win7 partition as active
- mark the vista partition as inactive (can only be done from cmd)
- create a restore disc
- boot from the restore disc
- run startup repair from whatever menu comes up
- repeat the previous step 3 times

If this is correct, it will be what I try tonight when I get home.

 

[SIW2]

Its Saturday night Greg - have you been drinking?

LOL enjoy.

@cdmoomaw - follow BFK's post.

You will be fine to do it like this if you like:

- (from Windows 7) mark the Windows 7 partition as active
- mark the vista partition as inactive (can only be done from cmd)
- create a restore disc
- boot from the restore disc
- run startup repair from whatever menu comes up
- repeat the previous step 3 times

Otherwise, you could just mark win 7 partition Active, then go into Bios setup and make sure windows 7 drive is the first HD listed in bios boot order.

Then run the startup repairs.

Whichever is easiest for you.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks for asking SIW2 but I've been clean and sober for 17 years. I'm swimming with my Lab at the beach right now. Before that I was running a triathlon.

Was there something about the steps I gave that was incorrect? I was trying to include ridding Vista which was stated intention in OP.

And if Vista is not first marked Inactive, how would Startup Repair write boot files to Win7 when Vista is first Active partition?

Just askin.

 

[SIW2]

No, not really - just amusing .

In your eagerness to help - you may just have added some confusion.

No point in joining in when BFK has it under control - I only posted because I was asked.

I don't drink either , btw.


You might have missed the posts where making 7 drive first in bios boot order was mentioned.

 

[cdmoomaw]

I plan to wipe the drive using diskpart clean all.

 

[SIW2]

Why - is there a problem with just deleting it and recreating partitions of whatever sizes you need ?

 

[cdmoomaw]

True. Say, would it work to just delete the vista partition, rather than mark it as inactive?

 

[gregrocker]

You might have missed the posts where making 7 drive first in bios boot order was mentioned.

How would marking 7 first in BIOS Boot Order (given) keep Repair from writing the boot files to Vista again if it were not marked Inactive?

What I tried to add is that OP could preempt the need to mark Vista Inactive if he wants to wipe (or delete) Vista first.

I doubt whether Ted would feel I am horning in any more than I do when we tag team in most threads.

 

[SIW2]

You can't delete it from within windows while it is still system.

You need to make 7 partition System first.

Do that exactly the way you were already going to.

Then boot into 7 and just delete Vista partition.

 

[gregrocker]

You'd run Diskpart Delete Partition Override, Clean or Clean ALL from 7 DVD/Repair CD Command Line on the Vista System Partition, not run it from Win7.

Repair should write System boot files to first marked-Active partition, whether old System partition is marked Inactive, deleted or wiped.

Si, are you saying that setting Win7 HD as first to boot in BIOS setup alone would have sufficed, without marking Vista Inactive or deleting it first? How so?

 

[SIW2]

Yes that would have done the job Greg - if 7 partition was marked Active first.

Just like you said here:

Repair should write System boot files to first marked-Active partition. Shouldn't matter whether old System partition is marked Inactive, deleted or wiped.

 

[cdmoomaw]

Okay, now I'm confused.

I think it goes something like this:

- Boot to Vista
- Mark Win7 Partition as Active
- Boot to Win7
- Delete Vista Partition
- Boot to Restore Disc
- Run Startup Repair
- Repeat last 2 Steps 3 Times
- Remove Disc and Boot to Win7
- Create Partition on Former Vista Drive

???

 

[SIW2]

Okay, now I'm confused.

Now there's a surprise. LOL.

Try this:

- Boot to Windows 7
- Mark Windows 7 Partition as Active
- Either:
1. Mark Vista partition inactive (using diskpart)
OR
2. Restart, go into bios and make sure win7 drive is first HD in boot order
OR
3. Both 1 and 2 if you like
- Boot to Restore Disc
- Run Startup Repair up to 3 times
- Boot into windows 7
- Delete Vista Partition

 

[cdmoomaw]

Indeed.

Thanks, I am now at home, so this I will try.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes that would have done the job Greg - if 7 partition was marked Active first.

Just like you said here:

Repair should write System boot files to first marked-Active partition. Shouldn't matter whether old System partition is marked Inactive, deleted or wiped.

But it would need one of those three choices to get rid of Vista Active to work, not just mark Win7 Active and set to boot first?

Because if Vista on DISK0 remains first Active partition, what would cause Repair to write boot files to Win7? Are you saying marking it Active and set first to boot override the fact that Vista is still first Active partition?

(cdmoomaw: please excuse the asides but we help literally hundreds of people with these fixes and SIW2 is our prime teacher)

 

[theog]

Already had the window open. The unallocated space was previously used for linux. I will expand it later.

I plan to wipe the drive using diskpart clean all.

Why - is there a problem with just deleting it and recreating partitions of whatever sizes you need ?

As OP had Linux on the HD CLEAN ALL would be the best way to go.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, Win7 partition would need to be Active - and need to be first in bios boot order.


Was Win7 (Disk1) first in boot order, BFK?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I sure hope the OP reports back.

I did a simulation in VirtualBox last night with Vista as the "System" on Disk 0 and Windows 7 on Disk 1.

Booted to diskpart and did a clean all to Disk 0 and marked the Disk 1 Windows 7 partition as active then did the startup repairs.

To recap ...

Disk 0 was unallocated space and the Windows 7 partition was active.


The startup repairs created a System Reserved partition on Disk 0 and made that the "System" partition, as can be seen in this snip.

click to enlarge

​

 

[theog]

Hi BFK
This is one of reasons, it is best to have OS on Disk 0.
Ray.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello SIW.


No I have not installed/added a BIOS into VB, that is something I would like to sort/pursue in future though if you have any pointers on the best way to do so, I know it's possible as I've had a look at the VB FAQs on the method already.

I think though this may be a good work-around for those that are in a similar situation and can't, for whatever reason change the BIOS boot order on their OEM lappy.

Your thoughts on any of this would be appreciated.



I totally agree Ray!