Solved XP/7 Dual Boot Disaster - Unplugged?

[Sager]

Thank you. I follow your lead.

 

[Sager]

Holy cow... IT WORKS! IT WORKS!

 

[gregrocker]

Now you can plug back in D. I would put it in DISK1 or 2 slot so it cannot steal back the boot from C if repairs are done again. You can boot it using the one-time BIOS BOot menu key - keep C set as first HD to boot.

When you're ready to wipe D, use Diskpart Clean All command: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

 

[Sager]

After plugging D: back in, I get the Dual Boot selection screen. That is normal until I place it into the Disk 1 or 2 slot? Then wipe it?

I am not familiar with one-time Bios boot menu key. How to?

 

[gregrocker]

Your mobo should have a hotkey to trigger BIOS Boot Menu so you can select which HD to boot.

If you want to keep XP, use that key to boot it. Install EasyBCD 2.0 to XP to delete the Dual Boot Menu on Edit OS tab. Just highlight Win7 listing and delete. http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

If your mobo has no hotkey for Boot Menu, then install EasyBCD 2.0 to Win7 and add XP on the Add OS tab, after removing the Dual Boot Menu in XP.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

The one-time boot menu hot-key for Gigabyte is F12.

 

[Sager]

gregrocker, I need to revisit this previous post...

Right out of the box, there seems to be a reporting conflict. My Computer Management screen indicates that C: is Disk 0 --- and my D: is Disk 1.

However, at Command Prompt DISKPART> list disk
Windows indicates Disk 0 Online 596 GB - 9MB Free - Dyn (My D

and Disk 1 Online 279 GB - 9MB Free (Not Dyn, my addition) (My C

This is oppposing information. Logic would assume the selection of Disc 0 for "Clean All" but I want to check with you first. Thank you.

I'm in to wipe my D:

 

[Sager]

Now my Bootmgr is missing.

Sorry to be so needy.

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug XP HD, make sure Win7 HD is set as first to boot (after DVD drive) then boot DVD to run Startup Repair until Win7 starts.

Power down to plug in the XP HD, wipe XP HD with Diskpart Clean All from elevated Win7 Command line which will assure you cannot wipe the wrong HD. Only Win7 and XP HD's should be plugged in.
Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command - Windows 7 Forums
Elevated Command Prompt - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Sager]

Anticipated your next step instructions and proceeded forward with what you have taught me. From Windows 7 DISKPART> list disk shows Disk 0 as the C: Drive now. I like that. Disk 1 @ 596 GB is listed at 9MB DYN as it should be.

As we speak, I am amidst 'Clean All' in the selected Disk 1.

However, I have left my F: Drive plugged in. No problem as it turns out - 'Clean All' has just completed its task. A restart without the Windows 7 disk in the DVD ROM drive has executed SUCCESSFULLY! F: Drive is completely in tact.

Now I am faced with the task of relabeling my drive letters. I think I can do that.

What say you gregrocker? Any Clean Up instructions for me?

 

[gregrocker]

You can use Disk Mgmt to repartition the cleaned disk, format NTFS.

No clean up needed, other than monthly with CCleaner.

Good work.

 

[Sager]

Well gregrocker,

This has been a long day for me... and for you... I can't imagine! I mean this sincerely, You're good kid, you're GOOD! I couldn't have done any of this without your professional expertise. I appreciate you walking me through all these steps and staying with me till the end. Thank you for exhibiting tact when I lapsed into my "Forward Thinking Episodes." What you do here is absolutely amazing. For this you have my most enduring gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you! All the best gregrocker!

Sager