JK - Good stuff, but wouldn't "bootrec /FixMbr" as step 8 (7A?) write out a new boot record and eliminate the need for step 9?

Possibly Schaft, but that wouldn't rebuild the BCD.

Of course, you could also run bootrec /rebuildbcd, but I trust startup repair more.

To be honest, I don't have very much experience with bootrec, so I tend to recommend the startup repair.

Jonathan_King said:

Possibly Schaft, but that wouldn't rebuild the BCD.

Of course, you could also run bootrec /rebuildbcd, but I trust startup repair more.

To be honest, I don't have very much experience with bootrec, so I tend to recommend the startup repair.

I can't say that I have a lot of experience with bootrec either, but I found it the fastest way to get rid of GRUB's multiple boot menu when I wanted to unload Ubuntu - just rebuilt the MBR and then went in under Windows 7 and deleted the partitions.

I found the 100mb of repair tools quite useful lately when the host drive's installation ran into a problem where Windows would stall at the logo screen. The automatic startup repair tool came to life on it's own plus the option to restore a system image created.

Note when originally partitioning the drive using GParted the separate 100mb section was never created. Instead the repair tools were somehow packed into the solid C primary. When partitioning the drive using the Windows drive tools during the installation however you see the 100mb section created.

Apparently using a 3rd party partitioning program is another option if you do not want the 100mb section created from the start. The image here shows hows the host drive looks in the DM without the 100mb being seen. Having the repair tools already on the drive however can eliminate the need for the 7 dvd when a problem comes up. Just something to pass along here.

Apparently the 100MB partition is created when setup does not find any active partitions.

When you are first installing 7 on a new drive or one previously wiped no longer seeing a primary you would be using the MS drive tools options found on the dvd there. You will also note the 1-8mb of unallocated drive space for changing between the Basic type of volume used mainly on desktops or the Dynamic for server geared.

The MS drive tools also prepare the 100mb reserved as part of the installation for 7 to include the repair tools. When the drive is already seeing an active primary as you are pointing to the installer still places the repair tools tucked away at the beginning of the existing primary eliminating the need for the separate 100mb section.

I had initially been wondering if the repair tools wouldn't be available until seeing the startup repair come up while trying to debug a sudden hardware or lack of hardware detection problem. Suddenly no internet, no tuner card available, and the sound went out?

When interrupting a restore point the startup repair tool suddenly stepped in showing that the Windows installer still sucessfully placed them on the drive without the need for the 100mb taken away. The concern when removing the 100mb section when not having a 7 dvd would be the need to burn a repair cd with 7 fortunately now seeing that option included!

The 3 cards were simply removed and reseated to suddenly hear ping, ping, ping "you must restart to see the changes put into effect"! when the system was started afterwards. Windows 7 again solved it's own dilemna with the fresh detection as well as seeing the repair tools onhand having used a 3rd party drive tool.

For those who want to reclaim the 100mb of drive space be sure to burn a repair cd to have onhand since that can also save on handling the 7 dvd itself as well as for those not having one in the case of 7 being preinstalled. For those about to install 7 on a bare drive and want to avoid the 100mb being taken then the use of a 3rd party drive tool is something to consider as well.

@Jk
After deletioin, it is seen as Unallocated space. How do I add this space to my system partition (C:)? Will Extend command under diskpart do the job?
Better yet, if u could provide the exact steps, would be nice. I dont wanna mess up with these things...

Hello EzioAuditore,

You will need to extend your C partition to include that space. The Windows Disk Management tool cannot extend space to the left of the volume, so you'll need to use a third-party tool. I recommend Partition Wizard Free Edition: Magic Server Partition Manager Software - Resize partition for Windows Server 2003, 2008 and 2000.

Using Partition Wizard, right-click on the C partition, and select Move/resize. Then drag the edge of the box to the left, to include that unallocated space.

When you're done, be sure to select Apply actions.

@JK
That's really a nice tool. But it's shareware and wont let me do my job until i register it.. Cant afford now. Any freeware alternative?
Thanks anyways.