Vista - Dual Boot using free partitioning software

Walkthrough: Using manage function in Vista to partition hard drive and operating system(s) installation (see related link for Syschat)

OR:
For partitioning space larger than Vista will allow (download free partitioning software, follow steps)
>Paragon Partitioner


Step1

Burn ISO Partitioner to CD (ISO is a disk image. for free ISO image burning software):BURNCDCC
to burn ISO, run BURNCDCC, and navigate to Partitioner unzipped ISO Image file. Nero users will find ISO image burning as program feature, and can add the downloaded file for burning.

Step2

Boot off Paragon Partitioner disk; follow instructions to resize/create partitions

Restart to allow Windows to see new partion, then Insert Vista or other OS, restart, and install into 2nd newly created partition.

Make sure you create a partition (Volume) that is not smaller than the Minimum required for the O/S you want to Dual Boot. Format the partition as SIMPLE/BASIC/NTFS.


Note-
If you at any time plan to restore from a Image (recovery partition/created disk image) You MUST restore the Partition size to what it was when the image was created- or, If it Is smaller than the original size, the install will fail. It is best if you plan to restore an image to delete all created partitions, and then Install the image onto an unpartitioned Drive as this will allow it to recreate the actual partitions. In the event you upgrade to larger capacity Hard Drives, simply follow the steps below in Tutorial to access the "Manage" Utility to extend the Volume(s) to span the entire Disk after re-Imaging.
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Related Link:
Fixing the boot loader In Vista (Start up Repair)
Dual Boot Vista and XP with Vista already installed - SysChat

!!!Warning!!!
Repairing Boot Configuration Data (BCD)


Merging Partitions to the left will result in a non-bootable partition. This must be repaired.
boot sector- which allocates the first 16 sectors for the boot sector and the bootstrap code will be in the middle of a partition merged to the left. The Boot Config data must be rebuilt.


Vista and XP use different boot loader utilities in the MBR (Master Boot Record) of your hard drive.
XP does not recognize Vista, but Vista will recognize XP, so we need to remove the boot loader that XP just put in with the old Vista boot loader. This is also neccessary If for example, you decide to Install another Version of Vista or Winows 7 (rather than XP), and then decide later to remove the Dual boot. So restart once more, but this time with your Vista disc in the drive...Boot into Vista Advanced Boot Options, select Repair your Computer, and click Startup Repair. (see related link above for walkthrough)
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To repair/rebuild the Boot Config Data Use the Bootrec.exe Tool

To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start Windows RE. To do this, follow these steps:


How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

1. Put the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press ENTER.

Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer or contact the computer manufacturer.
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Bootrec.exe options

The Bootrec.exe tool supports the following options. Use the option that is appropriate for your situation.




Note If rebuilding the BCD does not resolve the startup issue, you can export and delete the BCD, and then run this option again. By doing this, you make sure that the BCD is completely rebuilt. To do this, type the following commands at the Windows RE command prompt:

• bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• c:
• cd boot
• attrib bcd -s -h -r
• ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• bootrec /RebuildBcd

Bootrec.exe options

The Bootrec.exe tool supports the following options. Use the option that is appropriate for your situation.






Note If rebuilding the BCD does not resolve the startup issue, you can export and delete the BCD, and then run this option again. By doing this, you make sure that the BCD is completely rebuilt. To do this, type the following commands at the Windows RE command prompt:

• bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• c:
• cd boot
• attrib bcd -s -h -r
• ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• bootrec /RebuildBcd

/FixMbr

The /FixMbr option writes a Windows Vista-compatible MBR to the system partition. This option does not overwrite the existing partition table. Use this option when you must resolve MBR corruption issues, or when you have to remove non-standard code from the MBR.
/FixBoot




The /FixBoot option writes a new boot sector to the system partition by using a boot sector that is compatible with Windows Vista. Use this option if one of the following conditions is true:

• The boot sector has been replaced with a non-standard Windows Vista boot sector.
• The boot sector is damaged.
• An earlier Windows operating system has been installed after Windows Vista was installed. In this scenario, the computer starts by using Windows NT Loader (NTLDR) instead of Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr.exe).

/ScanOs

The /ScanOs option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista. Additionally, this option displays the entries that are currently not in the BCD store. Use this option when there are Windows Vista installations that the Boot Manager menu does not list.
/RebuildBcd

The /RebuildBcd option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista. Additionally, this option lets you select the installations that you want to add to the BCD store. Use this option when you must completely rebuild the BCD
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Note- this can also apply to dual boots using Vista/Windows 7

How to remove Xp from a XP/Vista Dual boot when XP is the first Partition and extending to the left

Make your Vista partition the active partition, run Start-up repair from the
Vista DVD (may need to more than once). When you can boot into Vista, you
can do what you want with the XP partition. You will need a third party
product such as Paragon Partitioner to combine the space into one partition if XP is on the first partition.

Remove XP Boot
Start> in search bar type msconfig>click program>click continue> In System Configuration-click "boot">delete XP from Boot

Disk Management-Mark Vista Partition as active/change drive letter
Start>right click computer-click "manage">Click Continue>Click "Disk Management">right click on Vista Volume at bottom.

Further note-
Merging the partitions will create an issue with the boot sector- which allocates the first 16 sectors for the boot sector and the bootstrap code. This will result in a non-bootable partition. The BCD (boot config) must then be repaired. (see repairing Boot Config (BCD) above)
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How to Remove Dual Boot when Vista Is on the First Partition (keeping Vista) and extending to the right

Disk Management-Mark Vista Partition as active
Start>right click computer-click "manage">Click Continue>Click "Disk Management">right click on Vista Volume at bottom

Remove other O/S Boot
Start> in search bar type msconfig>click program>click continue> In System Configuration-click "boot">delete other O/S from Boot (i.e., Windows 7)

Restart Computer
Run Start-up repair from the Vista DVD (may need to more than once). When you can boot into Vista, access Disk Management again, delete other O/S partition (i.e., Win 7/Vista).
Right click Vista Volume, and click "Extend". Then re-assign drive letter(s) if desired. (see related link above for walkthrough on Start-up Repair)