Uninstalling XP From Dual Boot XP/Vista Installation

Walter B · #1 October 9th, 2006, 06:44 PM

I have both XP and Vista installed on my HDD. Currently, I can dual boot to either OS. I would like to uninstall the XP OS. I know I can't just delete that partition because the boot information is there (I think). Is there a way to do this without losing the Vista install?

Computer Guru · #2 October 9th, 2006, 06:45 PM

Hi Walter!

Yeah, it's not too difficult either.
First, what are your drive letters for each?
Are they on the same HD? What partition is for which OS?

Walter B · #3 October 11th, 2006, 02:10 AM

Drive letters:
With Vista running: C: Vista, V: XP
With XP running: C: XP, V: Vista

I have only one HDD. C: is primary partition, D: and V: are logical drives.

Computer Guru · #4 October 11th, 2006, 07:46 AM

OK, the easiest thing you can do is just copy the folder called "boot" from drive C: to drive V:

THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Before you reboot, you *MUST* use EasyBCD and add a *Vista* (not NTLDR) entry to drive V:\ (from XP's point of view) or drive C:\ (from XP's POV).

Then boot into and delete the first partition from a decent partition manager, prefferably resize the second to the beginning.

To recap:
Add a Vista entry to the first partition after copying the needed boot files
delete the partition
reboot.

It *should* work, though the fact that you're using logical partitions might be a problem.

If it doesn't boot, just boot from the vista dvd, and "repair startup" and let it re-create the entry.

Walter B · #5 October 11th, 2006, 05:23 PM

Many thanks, CG. Not ready to do it yet, but have the steps saved.

Computer Guru · #6 October 11th, 2006, 05:46 PM

Your welcome Walter..
Whenever you decide: we're here for you

Walter B · #7 October 13th, 2006, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Computer Guru

THIS IS IMPORTANT:
1. Before you reboot, you *MUST* use EasyBCD and add a *Vista* (not NTLDR) entry to drive V:\ (from XP's point of view) or drive C:\ (from XP's POV).

2. It *should* work, though the fact that you're using logical partitions might be a problem.

1. Is there a typo here? Both POVs say XP.

2. Would it help if I convert the logical drive with Vista to primary?

toxic chicken · #8 October 14th, 2006, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by Walter B

1. Is there a typo here? Both POVs say XP.

2. Would it help if I convert the logical drive with Vista to primary?

1. yeah, he meant c: from vista and v: from xp.

2. i think you should, but let cg tell you first.

Computer Guru · #9 October 14th, 2006, 08:06 AM

OK, you can do that too:

1) First use EasyBCD to add Windows Vista as drive C:
2) Boot to a partition manager,
3) *Format* the XP partition
4) Convert Vista to Primary.
5) Merge it with XP's partition.
6) Reboot.

*Remember* In EasyBCD add a Vista entry to drive "C:" and NOT "C:\" (Bug being fixed in EBCD 1.5)

EasyBCD 1.5 is coming out *really* *really* soon. As in today or tomorrow. I say hang in there for a bit

Walter B · #10 October 14th, 2006, 04:14 PM

Thanks, CG.

Computer Guru · #11 October 14th, 2006, 07:14 PM

Good luck my friend.... let us know how it goes.

Walter B · #12 October 15th, 2006, 07:48 PM

I've been reconsidering. I have plenty of disk space, so I just might keep the XP. There's plenty of stuff I can't do with Vista x64, so the dual boot will come in handy.

Computer Guru · #13 October 16th, 2006, 07:21 AM

Ah, I didn't know you were running Vista x64.
If you are its best to have a copy of x86 XP running somewhere. Then the x86 stuff works and the stuff that Vista breaks still work too.. Good idea.

Take care!

Walter B · #14 October 25th, 2006, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Computer Guru

OK, you can do that too:

1) First use EasyBCD to add Windows Vista as drive C:
2) Boot to a partition manager,
3) *Format* the XP partition
4) Convert Vista to Primary.
5) Merge it with XP's partition.
6) Reboot.

*Remember* In EasyBCD add a Vista entry to drive "C:" and NOT "C:\" (Bug being fixed in EBCD 1.5)

EasyBCD 1.5 is coming out *really* *really* soon. As in today or tomorrow. I say hang in there for a bit

OK, CG, I've decided to do it. I'm using EBCD 1.5

I need some clarification on where to add Windows Vista as drive C: or is it now C:\?

Do I still need to copy the "boot" folder from XP to Vista first?

I'm going to do this from Vista, so should I delete all references to XP in EBCD?

Sorry about being so "dense."

Computer Guru · #15 October 26th, 2006, 10:48 AM

Hi Walter!

OK, with EasyBCD 1.5 the C:\ or C: bug is gone.

So,
First in Vista via EasyBCD 1.5 add Drive C: as Vista. *DO NOT* remove the old Vista entry until the entire procedure has finished.
Then remove all XP entries via the add/remove panel
then boot into Disk Director, format the XP partition and *merge* the *Vista* partition into it.

Reboot.
Should work.

If not, put your Vista DVD in the drive, let the "press any key..." message time out, enter Vista and reconfigure it from there.