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Thread ID: 115565	2011-01-24 06:42:00	Hard disk/OS installation problems (a strange one, bear with me!)	loopy_larry (16030)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1172224	2011-01-24 06:42:00	Okay, so, I'll roll through the order of events and then hit the problem at the end . . . When I received my computer, I installed the OS myself . Simple, right? No - there were a number of errors during the process and after doing some research it sounded like I should try installing on the other of my two hard drives (I had been trying on 'Disk 0') and this worked a charm (no problems on 'Disk 1', where Windows installs successfully) . After successful install I reached a boot menu with two options - Windows 7 and another 'recovered' Windows 7 . Obviously the recovered one is the 30% or however much the installation unsuccessfully got through on 'Disk 0' . Checking on that hard disk once in Windows showed that yes, indeed, there was a substantial amount of Windows installed . No worries though, just remove it . But, no, apparently the files are in use for boot and system . I figure it's only 9gb in use and stop worrying . I throw up a partition so that there is 15gb for that fragmented remnant of Windows and earmark the remaining 915gb as a partition for media backups . I also remove the recovered OS from the boot menu and get on with my life . . . Now then, fast forward a bit and I would like to take that 'Disk 0' out for various reasons - not least because I have a nice 2tb 'Disk 2' in place now for backups and I want to shuffle things around a bit . However, heading into Disk Management shows me some cause for concern (finally we have reached the bit where I describe a problem, I think) . . . That little 15gb partition on 'Disk 0' containing the remnants of the failed Windows install is marked as the 'system' partition and the 'active partition' . Yesterday, as a test, I tried setting 'Disk 1' as the active partition and, of course, it would no longer boot . Using the Windows install disc I reversed this change and everything is ok . My C: partition on 'Disk 1', meanwhile is marked as 'boot', 'page file', 'crash dump' So, what has happened here? Am in fact mistaken and my Windows installation really sits back on 'Disk 0', or is there a way I can make it so that the hard drive can be safely removed? I hope that made sense . Thanks in advance and do let me know if you need further clarity . I have probably clouded the issue, if anything .	loopy_larry (16030)
1172225	2011-01-24 06:53:00	In a round about silly way, its almost as if Windows is Dual Booting. my two hard drives (I had been trying on 'Disk 0') and this worked a charm (no problems on 'Disk 1', where Windows installs successfully). So which is It ? If I read that correctly, it went OK on both drives. You have to actually see which drive has the OS - then running the Windows Startup repair Via the DVD on that Disk, with the other one disconnected. This should look for the missing files that are sitting on the other Disk currently, and replace them. Keep in mind, if it doesn't work, a full reinstall may be required. If So, disconnect all Drives apart from the one you want Windows on, that way it has to go to that drive - then reconnect the other drives.	wainuitech (129)
1172226	2011-01-24 07:25:00	there were a number of errors during the process That little 15gb partition on 'Disk 0' containing the remnants of the failed Windows install is marked as the 'system' partition and the 'active partition' . Yesterday, as a test, I tried setting 'Disk 1' as the active partition and, of course, it would no longer boot . Using the Windows install disc I reversed this change and everything is ok . . Oh god . It's installed on 1, but as 0 was the main drive/partition Windows knows this, has allocated its hidden bits there and now you're stuffed . You'd have to remove 0, or at least unplug it internally and then you could try repairing the Windows install on 1 . Although you may have to make 1 the active drive and start over . I hate how Windows does that sort of thing .	pctek (84)
1172227	2011-01-24 07:39:00	>.< So, prepare a complete backup and take the gamble? That's a pain. I haven't reinstalled an existing OS since Windows ME days - is everything straightforward with the license key etc these days? And also, if I have to do full reinstall, and use a backup solution that creates a complete image, is that likely to go a bit mental when slapped onto the repaired OS/drive in the end? If that makes sense	loopy_larry (16030)
1172228	2011-01-24 08:01:00	W7 is normally easy to install . Lets say for this, you are going to wipe the drive completely . Have only the drive you want to install attached . Boot from the DVD - set the location, language etc next window Click Install Agree to the License Next window you will have the Upgrade or Custom Options - Click CUSTOM . Select the drive, then below that window on the right is "Drive Options(Advanced)" click that . Next window, select the partitions one at a time (if more than one) then click Delete . The drive is now blank . Click Next and the rest is all down hill, add in the product key and user name when prompted . Thats it ! :) Once installed , then install the drivers for your hardware . Windows 7 has a built in backup program, works well . Because you have wiped the drive, there will be no sign of the old OS, data - anything . So MAKE SURE you have backed up everything first .	wainuitech (129)
1172229	2011-01-24 20:03:00	Oh god. It's installed on 1, but as 0 was the main drive/partition Windows knows this, has allocated its hidden bits there and now you're stuffed. You'd have to remove 0, or at least unplug it internally and then you could try repairing the Windows install on 1. Although you may have to make 1 the active drive and start over. I hate how Windows does that sort of thing. ^This is exactly the issue....it wrote the boot loader on Disk 0...I would be curious as to why it failed on Disk 0 in the 1st place!	SolMiester (139)
1172230	2011-01-25 21:44:00	actually it's quite easy to fix . Get Easy BCD, run it, in the tools section (IIRC) there is a tool to set the boot drive . When you do this it copies all the necessary boot files to the drive and you can then remove the other . I discoverd this after setting up a dual boot with XP and WIN 7 on seperate hard drives then wanting to remove the XP drive - same problem WIN7 boot files on the other drive . Edit searched and found my original thread, here's the final post (Quoting myself) ok thanks guys all sorted now . Easy BCD did the trick once I figured out how, ridiculously easy actually so now I feel foolish . what eventually worked: Boot into WIN 7 ( wont work from XP I tried ) run easy BCD Go to BCD backup/repair tick change boot drive (!) select the drive you want to boot from have used this program for a while now, somehow I missed this option . It does recreate the boot menu as well so you still have to edit out any unwanted entries afterwards, but no big deal . --------------------------------------------------------------------------------	dugimodo (138)
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