Which one of the two Windows 7 partitions should be active?

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DrGhobar

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There are two installations of Windows 7 on two different partitions of a computer. Which partition should be active?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
The PC boots from the active one so which one you want to boot too set that active
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

win 8 32 bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
win 8 32 bit
On a legacy-MBR disk, BIOS take the boot process to a MBR on a disk that takes to a a partition that has a Boot Loader and is marked as active.
- Most OEM computers has a System partition (not M$ reserved) that has the boot loader and is marked as active. This partition has some OEM programs (like maintenance and Factory recover).
- If you have installed Win 7 on a disk, the boot loader is on C: drive / partition and is marked as active.

As you have two Win installations, only one will be marked as active (last installed).
If you want to dual boot, you have to modify the boot loader to add the second option.
Use easyBCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies (non comercial - Register - Download)
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Megahertz07 said:
On a legacy-MBR disk, BIOS take the boot process to a MBR on a disk that takes to a a partition that has a Boot Loader and is marked as active.
- Most OEM computers has a System partition (not M$ reserved) that has the boot loader and is marked as active. This partition has some OEM programs (like maintenance and Factory recover).
- If you have installed Win 7 on a disk, the boot loader is on C: drive / partition and is marked as active.

As you have two Win installations, only one will be marked as active (last installed).
If you want to dual boot, you have to modify the boot loader to add the second option.
Use easyBCD EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies (non comercial - Register - Download)
Click to expand...

I had a dual boot with two Windows 7. I wanted to remove the older Windows 7 on C: partition. Hence I formatted partition C:. As a result booting into the newer Windows 7 became impossible too: when I started the laptop, the blinking cursor appeared and nothing else happened. In situation like this, EasyBCD cannot help because it is not bootable.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
The win 7 you deleted had the boot loader, that is why you can't boot on the remaining installed win 7.
Boot from the win 7 installation disk, go to repair - Boot repair.
The installation disk (32 or 64b) must be the same as the installed win 7.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Megahertz07 said:
The win 7 you deleted had the boot loader, that is why you can't boot on the remaining installed win 7.
Boot from the win 7 installation disk, go to repair - Boot repair.
The installation disk (32 or 64b) must be the same as the installed win 7.
Click to expand...

1. Boot repair of the installation disk, could not solve the problem.
2. Do you know of a bootable tool that can do what EasyBCD can do?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
How did you formatted C: partition?
Is the partition with the remaining Win 7 marked as active?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Megahertz07 said:
How did you formatted C: partition?
Is the partition with the remaining Win 7 marked as active?
Click to expand...

I formatted C: by bootable Minitool Partition Wizard.
Yes it was active.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Did you delete the active partition?
Boot with bootable Minitool Partition Wizard and make the remaining Win 7 as active.
Then try to boot from the win 7 installation disk, go to repair - Boot repair.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
You didn't understand. On a legacy-MBR disk, BIOS take the boot process to a MBR on a disk that takes to a active partition that has a Boot Loade.
You deleted the active partition and now MBR is trying to find a boot loader on a blank partition.
You must mark the partition that has Win 7 and mark as active. Then run Repair boot from Win 7 installation disk to correct the MBR to point to the Win 7 active partition with the boot loader.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Megahertz07 said:
You didn't understand. On a legacy-MBR disk, BIOS take the boot process to a MBR on a disk that takes to a active partition that has a Boot Loade.
You deleted the active partition and now MBR is trying to find a boot loader on a blank partition.
You must mark the partition that has Win 7 and mark as active. Then run Repair boot from Win 7 installation disk to correct the MBR to point to the Win 7 active partition with the boot loader.
Click to expand...

Do you know if it is possible that two Windows partitions on one disk be active?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
windows 7 ultimate, a 32bit and a 64bit
For what I know, only one partition (per disk) can be set active.

Boot with bootable Minitool Partition Wizard and make the remaining Win 7 as active.
Then try to boot from the win 7 installation disk, go to repair - Boot repair.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
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