Solved Which partitions do I actually need?

[Tomtom111]

OK, I won't install Mac OS, Could I'll try Linux. Just a quick question, if I wanted to install XP, would I do the same steps as you posted earlier, and the ones for Linux?

 

[gregrocker]

Any particular reason you're not fully satisfied with Win7?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

[Tomtom111]

No, as I said earlier, I'm doing it for the sake of doing it.
Would you recommend reinstalling windows without HP's bloatware?

 

[kegobeer]

No, as I said earlier, I'm doing it for the sake of doing it.
Would you recommend reinstalling windows without HP's bloatware?

Yes. Didn't he already say that earlier?

If you want to run a bunch of operating systems, and there's no real reason you're doing it, just do it using virtual machines. You don't have to mess with partitions or anything.

 

[Tomtom111]

[/QUOTE]Yes. Didn't he already say that earlier?

If you want to run a bunch of operating systems, and there's no real reason you're doing it, just do it using virtual machines. You don't have to mess with partitions or anything.[/QUOTE]


I want to be sure before I do anything.

 

[Tomtom111]

Another question, repeated it may be but hey.

If I delete HP_tools and recovery partitions, I'll still be able to restore to having all HP's bloatware with the recovery discs, and on the spare partitions I can install new OS's, ie linux.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If I delete HP_tools and recovery partitions, I'll still be able to restore to having all HP's bloatware with the recovery discs, and on the spare partitions I can install new OS's, ie linux.

No.

Two issues:

1: Your recovery using the recovery disks may not work. You'll never know until you try it.

2: If your recovery disks do work as advertised, you will be back in your original position of 4 partitions and bloatware. No "spare" partitions, whatever that means.

 

[Tomtom111]

If I delete HP_tools and recovery partitions, I'll still be able to restore to having all HP's bloatware with the recovery discs, and on the spare partitions I can install new OS's, ie linux.

No.

Two issues:

1: Your recovery using the recovery disks may not work. You'll never know until you try it.

2: If your recovery disks do work as advertised, you will be back in your original position of 4 partitions and bloatware. No "spare" partitions, whatever that means.

Yesterday, I lost the C, recovery and HP_tools partitions and therefore windows. I managed to boot from the discs and reinstall windows, with the bloatware and all four partitions repaired.

What I meant by spare partitions is that if I delete the recovery and HP_tools partitions, because of the disk being a basic disk I'll be able to crete two new partitions in the place of the ones that I delete, and on to those I can install new OS's, or just the one. Also, if I do lose the new OS's that I will install, I won't mind because I'll just go through the same process as before.

Other than the issues you brought up, should the current OS still work fine with two partitions deleted?

 

[gregrocker]

As long as System Reserved or C are currently marked System Active, then you can delete Recovery and Tools.

However since you want the HP bloated preinstall I would keep Recovery since it's the most stable method to recover to factory condition and disks should only be viewed as a backup method.

For this reason I gave you the method which has always worked best for creating a new OS partition on HP's where the user wants to keep the factory preinstalled Recovery and Tools.

 

[Tomtom111]

OK, not sorted. I converted the c partition to logical, and created a new partition (10GB) and made it logical. When I try to boot from the install disc (ubuntu and xp) it just starts to boot windows 7. What's going wrong now? The iso files are fine. So...

 

[Tomtom111]

Just had a thought- could the discs not loading be something to do with them being 64bit? Would 32bit be better?

 

[gregrocker]

The bit-version of the installers would not affect their ability to boot. Are these known-good CD's which have booted previously OK? If not confirm the iSO and burn another using ImgBurn at 4x speed.

I would use 32 bit with 3gb RAM anyway.

 

[Tomtom111]

Yeah, the CDs are fine, I use them for a bit of stuff and never let me down, when booting into mac installer it worked fine on the same disc. I assumed because the existing installation was 64bit, the hardware was designed for 64bit and would run it better than 32bit. I'll do new discs and check the speed. How does the speed make a difference?

 

[gregrocker]

I don't see any difference between 32 and 64 except that 64 can lag on less than 4gb RAM. You also need 64 bit to use more than 4gb RAM.
32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums
64-bit More than just the RAM bit-tech.net

 

[Tomtom111]

Ok thanks for that. Is it right that windows comes with a boot loader? Or do I have to get a third party one?

 

[gregrocker]

What type of boot loader are you referring?

If you mean creation of the Dual Boot Menu, these are the best methods:
Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7
Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

 

[Tomtom111]

Trying to boot Ubuntu 32bit from a usb stick doesn't work. it just starts booting windows 7

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried booting the stick using the BIOS one-time Boot Menu key? Does it show up there to select?

If not how was it written to stick. Try Universal USB Installer

 

[Tomtom111]

I'm not sure. How I do it is, as it boots, it hit esc, the boot device and select the stick. Not sure it that's what you were describing

 

[gregrocker]

So it shows up to select on the one-time BIOS boot menu key.

Then there is a problem with the stick or how it's written. Try writing another.