Computer Guys: Need Help Getting Rid of Windows 7

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Hey guys, I need help getting rid of Windows 7. I like it a lot, but, as it's in beta, a few of the programs I use a lot don't have versions for it yet, so I really never use it.

Unfortunately, removing it has proven a little more difficult than I thought. I can't format the partition it's on from my XP partition. I have the system disk my computer came with, as well as the disk with Windows 7, but I don't want a fresh install on the W7 partition, I want a clean XP format on the partition. But I don't want a full OS install, since I already have XP installed on the main partition. Since W7 can only overwrite XP (no upgrade option on the Beta) and my XP disk is SP2, they both are limited to new installs it seems.

The only thing I can think of is to create a system recovery disk with SP3 on it, but I'm not sure where to go from there. I have an external HDD I can backup to, but my backup files never seem to take. Apparently I need a third party backup program because whenever I try to backup using the Windows program, there's a problem with it.

Cliffs: how do I get rid of Windows 7 on my secondary partition without putting a fresh install on my main partition?

Click to read more...

 

[swx1042 10+ year member]

You can try using PQ Magic. Its a third party partitioning tool thats fairly powerful. Be sure to back up important data before using it.

You can download it most places, internet, p2p networks, torrent.

 

[bigaudiofanatic 10+ year member]

Insert windows xp disk restart computer go into boot setup or bios look around until you found boot sequence. After that exit with saving changes when it asks hit any key to boot from cd do it. Let it run threw its little start up. After that it will most likely ask if you want to try to repair something. Say no than when it asks were to install on what partition delete all partitions it like hit delete than enter than L. To delete them after you got all them deleted highlight the new un-partioned space in the box. Than it is going to ask you if you want to do a quick format or a normal do either or I would usaly do the quick but in your case I would take the extra time and to a nice good format. After that the install should continue and you will have a fresh copy of windows xp installed without the 7 installed.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

english please?

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

so you have your hard drive separated into 2 partitions with a different operating system on each partition?

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

so you have your hard drive separated into 2 partitions with a different operating system on each partition?

correct. and I have an external HDD that I can use for backup, but the windows backup never wants to work properly, so I would need suggestions for a backup utility if I go with a route that necessitates a fresh install

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

remove the partition that has the windows 7 on it and the other partition should stay in tact.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

remove the partition that has the windows 7 on it and the other partition should stay in tact.

how do I do that?

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

download this software, create a iso disc and reboot from the cd drive. If you are not too good with computers than I wouldn't try it as you could screw up the partitions and loose all you data.

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

It will take a bit of time for it to reformat the partition to the way you want it s don't get nervous if it takes a while.

 

[maddskillzz 10+ year member]

This is correct..boot of xp system disk like your gonna do a fresh install...delete the partition that has windows 7 on it...then create a new partition...this will remove it from your drive.. or you could just boot into windows xp...right click the drive with windows 7 and hit format

remove the partition that has the windows 7 on it and the other partition should stay in tact.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

This is correct..boot of xp system disk like your gonna do a fresh install...delete the partition that has windows 7 on it...then create a new partition...this will remove it from your drive.. or you could just boot into windows xp...right click the drive with windows 7 and hit format

you don't think I've tried to just format it from xp?//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

use the software I linked..it will do the trick.

 

[tRidiot 10+ year member]

Norton Partition Magic will do it from within Windows, too. Hell, you can even resize your partitions and make your primary XP one larger while getting rid of the Windows 7 one, I believe...

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

use the software I linked..it will do the trick.

Ok, I downloaded the program and ran the BZ2 file through winrar to extract. Now how do I create an iso file from that? I have ImageBurn, and it says I can create an iso file from a source folder, but when I click the gparted folder, it just shows all the files in that folder. Do I just create the image from the BZ2 file?