Doubt about partition deletion

I search the forum, but couldn't find anything useful that could answer the doubt I'm having. Sorry if it has already been asked by others. And, if so, could you direct me to the proper thread, please? Thank you.

It's as follows:

I've got a laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate OEM x86 installed as the only O.S. The laptop was bought from a relative. I've been wanting to format the laptop to perform a clean install, but I'm lazy!

But, these last days, I was offered a Windows 7 Ultimate x86/x64 Retail DVD.

Right now, I have data in the only partition that exists, which is where the O.S is also installed (I'm lazy!).
I want to create a 2nd partion and install the retail version over there. Also a smaller partition to backup the data there.
After this, I want to delete the first partition where the OEM version is installed, and make use of the available space and add it to the partition where the Retail version will be installed, so that it becomes a larger volume.

My doubt is: Is it OK to do this, or will cause problems? Is this approach the same as, for example, having 2 partitions, and the O.S installed in the first one, and then delete the 2nd one to get more space?

I've never tried to install an O.S in a second partition and delete the first one where an O.S is already installed.

What would be the recommended steps?


Thank you

 

Hi Moonblood,
I'm running a 2 partition system. Windows Vista and PcLinuxOs.
I got my help from Neosmart.net/forums.
You can ask questions there and they have a special program
to help people that want to dual boot their computers.
At least check it out before you do anything drastic.

Also get another HD and a docker by THERMALTAKE to put
it in. Then use a program like Clonezilla-live to back up your
computer. This way if you goof you can be back up in 1/2
hour.
Good luck

 

Thank you.

I believe you're mentioning EasyBCD. I'm aware of that. Never worked with it, though.
I'll check the the forum you suggest.

Meanwhile, I found a link from Microsoft explaining how to dual-boot Windows Vista and Windows 7, but by creating Windows 7's own system partition clean of Windows Vista's. (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee829683(WS.10).aspx)

I guess that then, in this example (I haven't read all in detail yet.), one could just eliminate Vista's partition, and Windows 7 would boot just fine because it would have it's own system partition.

So, in theory, the same could be done for the secondary partition where Windows 7 will also be installed, in my case.

I'll have to dig deep into this.


Thank you

 

m00nbl00d,

My advice is to completely avoid the Microsoft boot manager. Use a third party boot manager so you don't have OS with shared booting files. This way any OS can be deleted without affecting the others. In my main computer I have four Win7, three WinXP, two Ubuntu, DOS, etc. All are independent and hidden from each other.

 

+1

Also maybe look at http://www.multibooters.co.uk/index.html.

 

1. Delete/remove as much as you can.
2. Use Partition Wizard or similar tool to shrink the partition to smallest size possible. (you will have free space, which can be repartitioned later)
3. Use Macrium or similar to create image of this small partition.
4. Use Partition Wizard or similar to resize primary partition to the size you think you will need for new OS (you shrink it initially for a small image and to ensure the image is smaller than any partition you wish to restore it to). Create second partition to size larger than image, but as large as you think you need for old OS. Create data partition to size you need.
5. Place image onto 2nd partition.
6. Install new OS onto 1st partition.
7. Place data onto 3rd partition.

When you are done with old OS on 2nd partition, use Partition Wizard or similar to merge that into the 1st partition. Keep 3rd partition, now as 2nd, with data.

Be aware (as you probably are) that the boot partition needs to be handled properly, very important. There are multiple methods, not of them as straight forward as they should be the first time you try it. I liked boot.ini much better.

Sul.

 

Keep in mind that shrinking/moving partitions always carries the risk of data loss. PartitionMagic didn't get the nickname PartitionTragic for nothing. Also, shrinking and moving partitions can take a very long time depending on how much data is in the partition.

That said, it would be extremely prudent to back up your data before doing any of this. But since you should back up your data beforehand anyway, why not just blow away all the partitions and re-partition it the way you want it? Then install your new OS and then copy over the backed up data you have. You'll probably be finished in less than half the time.

 

Well, I am afraid your solution is way much too easily logical for us here. What will we do with all that free time we will now have on hand after this kind of doing?

 

LOL, you've got a point. Sometimes there's too much mental gymnastics going on here