HDD partition confusion

[pa1pa1]

Hi, I was trying to install windows 8 using a USB the other day. I booted in and the fish splash screen appeared for about 4 minutes, after which i got an error saying /windows/system32/winload.exe was not found. I figured its because my partitions are messed up.

Current state of partitions : I first installed XP in D drive, then win 7 in C drive. I must have forgotten to make C drive primary, as i only have one primary drive with me now which is D. Easeus tells me that my C drive status is "boot" so cant make it primary. The D drive status is "system" so i cant even get rid of it.

EasyBCD info :

There are a total of 2 entries listed in the bootloader.

Default: Windows 7
Timeout: 3 seconds
EasyBCD Boot Device: D:\

Entry #1
Name: Earlier Version of Windows
BCD ID: {ntldr}
Drive: D:\
Bootloader Path: \ntldr

Entry #2
Name: Windows 7
BCD ID: {current}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe

Question : How do i get rid of my D drive (XP) without messing up my win 7 installation so i can boot to it later ?

Thanks

 

[inzone]

Can you delete the D drive partition? Or format it? I know that you can't delete a windows folder or system folder and I did have this issue once but it was a little different so I am unsure that it would work for you. What I did was download Linux onto a bootable usb stick and from within Linux I was able to get rid of the Windows folder and then I secure erased the drive.

 

[pa1pa1]

Can you delete the D drive partition? Or format it? I know that you can't delete a windows folder or system folder and I did have this issue once but it was a little different so I am unsure that it would work for you. What I did was download Linux onto a bootable usb stick and from within Linux I was able to get rid of the Windows folder and then I secure erased the drive.

Yes that would have worked. I used the windows 7 bootable usb to get rid of D: . The windows 8 problem was solved by using the windows 8 download tool, rather than using the .ISO. Still don't know why the iso didn't work.