liberating disk from former multi-boot system

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nobbyt

New Member
My setup is a formerly multiboot Win10/XP system.

L: primary, system, active (Disk6) [held the WinXP install from which I upgraded to Win10. ]
C: primary, boot (Disk7) [holds the current Win10 install]

Both disks have \Boot\bcd and a bootmgr file.

I want to remove Disk6, but the system will only boot when both disks are present.

I've made C: the boot drive with EasyBCD (it might have been already) and in the BIOS it's the first bootable disk.

bcdedit /store X:/boot/bcd /enum gives the same result for L: and C:

I suppose boot still starts on L: for some reason.

Could the solution be as simple as making C: the active partition?

Any help appreciated.
 
Hello,

1. Understand the Issue

Dual Boot Legacy: You have a legacy system with a complex boot configuration due to the previous dual-boot setup (Win10 on top of WinXP).
Bootloader Conflict: Both disks (L: and C:smile: have boot files and bootloaders, leading to confusion for the system.
Active Partition: The "active" partition flag usually indicates the primary partition from which the system boots. However, in modern Windows systems, the boot configuration data (BCD) plays a more crucial role.
2. Troubleshooting Steps

Check Boot Order in BIOS:

Confirm: Ensure the boot order in the BIOS is set correctly with the drive containing Windows 10 (C:smile: as the first boot device.
BCD Configuration:

Examine BCD: Use bcdedit /store C:\Boot\bcd /enum to examine the BCD entries on the C: drive.
Look for duplicates: Check if there are duplicate entries or entries pointing to the old XP installation (L:smile:.
Identify Default Entry: Note the default entry (usually the one with "default" in the identifier).
Clean BCD: Consider using bcdedit /store C:\Boot\bcd /delete {GUID} to remove any outdated or conflicting entries. Replace {GUID} with the actual GUID of the entries you want to remove. Proceed with caution, as incorrect deletions can prevent Windows from booting.
Rebuild BCD:

Run Startup Repair: Boot into Windows 10 and run the Startup Repair tool. This can sometimes automatically detect and fix boot issues.
Manual Rebuild: If Startup Repair doesn't resolve the issue, you can manually rebuild the BCD:
Boot from Windows 10 installation media: Use a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD.
Open Command Prompt: At the installation screen, open a Command Prompt window.
Rebuild BCD: Use the command: bootrec /RebuildBcd This will scan for Windows installations and offer to add them to the BCD. Select the Windows 10 installation on the C: drive.
Make C: Active (Optional):

While not always necessary, you can make the C: partition active.
Use Disk Management: Open Disk Management, right-click on the C: partition, and select "Mark Partition as Active."
3. Important Notes:

Backup: Before making any significant changes, create a system image backup of your Windows 10 installation using tools like Windows Backup or third-party imaging software.
Test Thoroughly: After making any changes, test if the system boots correctly from the C: drive alone.
4. If the Issue Persists:

Check for Hardware Issues: Ensure there are no hardware conflicts or issues with the hard drives.
Consult Support: If you're still experiencing problems, consider contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance.
Disclaimer:

These instructions are for informational purposes only.
Modifying boot configurations can have unintended consequences. Proceed with caution and at your own risk.
I hope this comprehensive guide helps you resolve the boot issue and successfully remove the Disk6 from your system!
 
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