A while back I managed somehow to install Windows Vista alongside XP in a daul boot configuration so that I could slowly make the transition to Vista,

Now I am ready to delete XP and have just Vista, but I want to do it without wrecking vista, any ideas on how to go about this carefully?

Easiest way would be to use something like Partition Magic which will allow you to delete the XP partition and grow the Vista one into its place. Can Vista see the XP partition? If it can, just format the drive it appears as

If you still get a choice of booting XP or Vista, then you can just edit your boot.ini file (in c:\) to remove the XP line, if Vista still has this.....

Chris

Their are only 2 ways to do this that are fairly reliable (say about 90%) however beware if this messes up you will have to format your hard drive and start again so make sure you backup all your docs and settings

Ok first and most time consuming method

Boot into Vista and format the partition XP is currently installed on. Since the Vista bootloader has control of the boot, there is no need to modify the boot.ini of XP.

Restart your computer with either Vista CD 1 or your Vista DVD (Depending on version you have) in the drive, if you don't you will be prompted to pick an operating system. Once into setup, choose repair console from the first screen (not install).

Now the last option is for a DOS prompt, pick that.

A DOS prompt appears, and type the following:

bootrec.exe /fixmbr

*this will essentially remove XP from the Vista bootloader

bootrec.exe /fixboot

*this will check that XP is no longer present in Vista's boot.ini

Restart and XP is history.

Or Option 2 is to

Boot into Vista. Click start and in the search box type diskmgmt.msc a program will appear on the start menu click that (you will be asked for permission to open the microsoft management console)

Once that appears you will have a window that shows your C: Drive and which ever drive your XP Partition is on (mine is D:)

First thing you need to do is format the partition with XP on this will delete any data that is on the partition (Right Click and select format).

Next you then need to delete the partition (right click then left click delete partition) you can just go straight to delete if the format option doesn't appear but to be as reliable as poss format the partition first if you can.

Once this is done you then need to right click your vista Partition and Click extend Volume. An option will appear make sure the volume is set to the maximum size it can and click ok. follow the prompts after that (Cant rememeber exactly what appears but just click ok through all the prompts that appears)

After a few minutes you should have one partition that is the same size as your harddrive capacity (minus anything from 1 - 5gb of info depending on manufacturer for essential software that is storedin a locked partition)

Once this is complete close the management console and then defragment your hardrive reboot and XP is history

Like i said neither of these method is 100% reliable but they are more reliable than using aftermarket software like partition magic etc.

Note you do either of the above procedures at your own risk. I have no formal computer qualifications im just a self taught geek when it comes to PC's/Laptops and i will not be responsible for any problems that occur. I have used both methods above the first one i used on a desktop and the second one i used on a laptop so i can vouch for both methods

Any further Q's PM me

HTH

Carl:thumbup: