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Thread ID: 136772 2014-04-13 10:13:00 Annoying Windows EFI System Partition? bk T (215) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1372624 2014-04-13 10:13:00 Was trying to do a clean- install of Win7 to this PC - found the usual ~100MB system reserve partition (which can be deleted without problem) but there is another ~280MB EFI(?) Windows system reserve which cannot be deleted.

I then tried to use a Win XP install CD to boot up hoping the old XP will be able to wipe it off - but unfortunately soon after XP copies the files (couldn't remember exactly at which stage) BSOD pops up!

Is there a way to wipe of the HDD completely and do a clean install? And, what causes this Windows EFI partition?

Cheers
bk T (215)
1372625 2014-04-13 10:19:00 Might be this (en.wikipedia.org). XP maybe crashing if it doesnt have SATA drivers on the CD. If it's a 0x0000007b stop error. Which means it cant find the hdd

How are you trying to install Win7?? If youre using the dvd, you should be able to delete the partition then recreate it. Then reinstall windows on it
Speedy Gonzales (78)
1372626 2014-04-13 10:33:00 If you want to remove all the partitions including the EFI then use diskpart from either a W7 or W8 Install DVD or recovery CD Via command prompt. Boot from the CD/DVD, select Repair computer - work though to the Command prompt option.

Cant remember fully, but if you are on the working HDD then i'm not sure if diskpart will allow it to be wiped. Theres no "are you sure" prompts and its almost instant as soon as you press enter.

Scroll down and read www.winability.com for the commands.

The XP CD wont be of any use, its to old and doesn't have the DOS ability/ Diskpart command.
wainuitech (129)
1372627 2014-04-13 10:34:00 Correction: to be exact, the EFI partition (100MB) can be deleted and the "Microsoft Reserved Partition" cannot be deleted.

Just tried to run the installation again and same thing appears.

Maybe I should use some other disk utility to wipe the disk clean. What disk utility do you guys recommend?
bk T (215)
1372628 2014-04-13 10:44:00 Read above Diskpart. its FAR more powerful than any partitioning software, and you already have it. wainuitech (129)
1372629 2014-04-13 12:14:00 I had a similar problem recently. I booted with a Puppy Linux CD, any Linux will do, and used part-edit to delete the partitions, and then remade them. mzee (3324)
1372630 2014-04-13 21:42:00 Thanks guys. Will do try it later today.

Cheers
bk T (215)
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