Partitions and System disks

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Whatrymes

Ed H
Member
Hey:
This is my computer set up:
Partition 1 D: - An old recovery partition that I use to store data.
Partition 2 C: - Windows Vista (System) partition.
Partition 3 Unallocated space.
Here is what I’m trying to do. I’d like to install Vista on the unallocated space and make a new partition (partition 3 I would assume). Take my time and install all updates, applications and settings and get everything nice and pristine. When I’m satisfied, I’d like to make an image of Partition 3 and install it over the old system setup (Partition 2). Can this be done without messing up partition tables or the boot record? How?

Thank you,
Ed
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-BIT SP2
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz
4.00 GB RAM
300 GB HDD
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz
    Memory
    4 GB
Yes.

Just install Vista by booting the dvd and choose custom install - select Drive Options (advanced ) and create and format a partition from the unallocated space. Make it a little smaller than the partition you will be restoring the image to later.

Install onto it.

Use an image app. that will update bcd for you during restore - they pretty much all do nowadays - Paragon or Macrium free editions are excellent.

When you have restored the image , remove any extra boot menu entries it contains with msconfig. Type msconfig in start search box, click it - select the Boot tab , delete any extra entries.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
SIW2 said:
Yes.

Just install Vista by booting the dvd and choose custom install - select Drive Options (advanced ) and create and format a partition from the unallocated space. Make it a little smaller than the partition you will be restoring the image to later.

Install onto it.

Use an image app. that will update bcd for you during restore - they pretty much all do nowadays - Paragon or Macrium free editions are excellent.

When you have restored the image , remove any extra boot menu entries it contains with msconfig. Type msconfig in start search box, click it - select the Boot tab , delete any extra entries.
Click to expand...

I use Image for Windows. There is a restore option, well two, one says "
Update BOOT.INI" and the other says "Write Standard MBR code."
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz
    Memory
    4 GB
Do you mean you want to have two Vista running on the same drive but on different partitions? I know you can do this for x86 and x64, but never tried doing two of the same x86,x86 on the same drive but on different partitions.

It would work if there were different versions like Premium or Ultimate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    AMD/GIGABYTE
    CPU
    AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 (rev. 2.0)
    Memory
    2048MB RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SyncMaster T220/T220G,SyncMaster Magic T220/T220G(Digital)
    Screen Resolution
    1680 by 1050 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST310003 40AS SCSI Disk Device Western Digital WDC WD50 00AAJS-00YFA SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    Thermaltake 500W
    Internet Speed
    VERY FAST>>>>!!!!
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD RW AD-7191S SCSI CdRom Device
I guess my goal is more to just experiment and learn some things but ultimately I want to be running my existing Vista setup on C: drive while I take my time setting up a new, clean, updated system on another drive. When that's finished I'd like to move the new one to replace the old via imaging software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz
    Memory
    4 GB

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD 1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp 1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm 1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset. Only ever used a laptop. Also use USB Freeview TV Card Lenovo Docking Station External Speakers Other bits a pieces as needed
Whatrymes said:
I guess my goal is more to just experiment and learn some things but ultimately I want to be running my existing Vista setup on C: drive while I take my time setting up a new, clean, updated system on another drive. When that's finished I'd like to move the new one to replace the old via imaging software.
Click to expand...


vLite is a good suggestion.

You might have trouble when doing windows update with the other newly created Vista partition because of activation. You wouldn't' be able to activate without another key.

Something maybe worth experimenting might be worth a try is to setup a Vista virtualization? using program like VBox or VMware. Do all your updates and programs, then create a image and save it to an partition shared by the host system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    AMD/GIGABYTE
    CPU
    AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 (rev. 2.0)
    Memory
    2048MB RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SyncMaster T220/T220G,SyncMaster Magic T220/T220G(Digital)
    Screen Resolution
    1680 by 1050 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST310003 40AS SCSI Disk Device Western Digital WDC WD50 00AAJS-00YFA SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    Thermaltake 500W
    Internet Speed
    VERY FAST>>>>!!!!
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD RW AD-7191S SCSI CdRom Device
You can activate it straightaway with the same key. However there is no need to - install without entering the product key, set it up how you like. Image it and restore the image , then put the product key in.

I am not familiar with your imaging app. - if that is the one from Terrabyte it is going to be good. It doesn't sound like a recent version tho. Boot.ini is for legacy systems and has nothing to do with Vista/7.

If you restore Vista/7 to a different offset , or disk ID - the bcd entry will pointing the wrong way.

Easy to fix - just boot the installation dvd, select repair my computer and automated startup repair will correct the entry.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
SIW2 said:
You can activate it straightaway with the same key. However there is no need to - install without entering the product key, set it up how you like. Image it and restore the image , then put the product key in.

I am not familiar with your imaging app. - if that is the one from Terrabyte it is going to be good. It doesn't sound like a recent version tho. Boot.ini is for legacy systems and has nothing to do with Vista/7.

If you restore Vista/7 to a different offset , or disk ID - the bcd entry will pointing the wrong way.

Easy to fix - just boot the installation dvd, select repair my computer and automated startup repair will correct the entry.
Click to expand...

That last line sounds interesting. Image for Windows is Terabyte's product and it is the most recent version. I've been with them for about ten years.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz
    Memory
    4 GB
If it is the most recent version - it will correct bcd for you - I don't have Image for Windows, sadly - but I know their stuff is good.

The boot.ini correction is probabaly if you are using/dual booting with XP - it will fix that as well.

In any case, what you are proposing will work fine.

If you skip entering the product key during Vista install, tick I have selected the edition I have purchased, untick activate automatically online. You then have 30 days to put the product key in.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
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