Windows 7 Partition Question

[FrapsChannel]

Hi there,

so I have Windows 7 RC. I love it, and I want to delete my Vista partition so I can have the space from that partition.
Now the vista partition is the system partition, and windows 7 is a boot partition. If I delete the vista partition, will Windows 7 work?

And, if not. I have an image of my Windows 7 partition (backup) on a hard drive. Can I reformat my hard drive and then restore the image? Will that work? So only Windows 7 is on my hard drive?

By the way, Nice forum!

Thanks!

 

[DJG]

You should be able to delete the Vista partition without affecting Win 7. In fact, do it from Win 7 - it will tell you if it doesn't like you deleting it.

I've restored my Win 7 image backups to different partitions and even different controllers. You may have to run the Win 7 installation DVD and do a startup repair, so make sure you have it available.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Thanks for reply, but how do I delete the partition?
'Delete volume' and 'format' is not highlighted on the vista partition and I cannot click on it.

 

[DJG]

Ahh! I realize now you mentioned the Vista partition is the system partition, which means that's where the boot manager is, and why it isn't allowing you to delete it.

I would then boot from the Win 7 install DVD, tell it you want to install, go through the motions of a new clean install until you get to the part where you choose where to install it. Use the advanced features to delete the Vista partition. Then just cancel the install, boot again from the DVD since there will be no boot mgr on disk, and go to startup repair instead of install now. It should install a new boot manager on the current Win 7 partition.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Excellent, will that delete ANY data on my Windows 7 partition, or is it safe? Thanks.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Oh, and because the image of my Windows 7 partition is not a boot partition, will that image not restore itself correctly if any disaster happened?

 

[DJG]

Image won't be a problem. Again worst case scenario is you run the startup repair from the dvd. I would create a new Win 7 backup image once you have gone through the cycle above and get the boot mgr installed in the Win 7 partition, and that will save having to go through the startup repair if you do restore again.

And no, deleting the Vista partition won't affect the Win 7 partition.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Ok, so I have to put my install DVD in at boot, then install, go to advanced, delete vista partition, then restart, then boot from DVD again, go to repair disc, then restart after that and all should be fine.

 

[DJG]

That's about it! Make sure you chose Startup Repair from the DVD, and let it do its thing.

Edit: Check your BIOS boot options to make sure the Win 7 drive is the choice.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Thank you, it worked!!

BUT one problem.. I wanted the unused space from the Vista partition to go onto my Windows 7 partition, but all it has done is made a new partition.

Can I somehow merge that partition with my Windows 7 one so it has more space? Windows 7 partition is running out of GB.

 

[DJG]

If the Vista volume is before the Win 7 volume, you're out of luck. Only thing to do is do a backup image of the Win 7 volume and restore it to the beginning of the partition. If it's after the Win 7 volume in the same partition you should be able to extend the Win 7 volume through the storage management console. Otherwise you need to do the image backup / restore to the restructured partition.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Oh right. Would it be better to just reformat my Hard drive and then restore my image through the backup restore disc?

 

[DJG]

That would be the cleanest start, makes sense since you're redoing the whole disk anyway.

 

[FrapsChannel]

Excellent, what do you think is the best way to reformat my hard drive, so it's got nothing on it. Lol.

 

[Barman58]

To save the hassle of a complete re-format you may want to have a look at 3rd party partitioning software which will allow you to do things that built-in options do not.

Have a look at Paragon who supply free express software and trials of the full editions as one of many suppliers available

PARAGON Software Group - partition manager, drive backup, hard disk partitioning

 

[FrapsChannel]

Thanks, I actually created my image with paragon drive backup, so I'll get the partition manager.

 

[Barman58]

One thing - you may have to move the Win 7 partition to the start of the drive and then merge it with the empty ex vista one but check what options you are offered

 

[FrapsChannel]

Ah yes, well actually that is what I want to do. Merge vistas old space with my Windows 7 partition.

 

[DJG]

Thanks, I actually created my image with paragon drive backup, so I'll get the partition manager.

My backup program too! Excellent product. So no worries getting a good restore.

Edit: Drive Backup does have enough partition management for what you want to do, I believe, so I don't think you need to use Partition Manager.