How can I merge system and boot partitions

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 9
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #11

    I do not know if further clarifications would contribute to anything, but I will give a little more information.

    Info for my PC: cpu amd fx-6350, ram 16gb ddr3, video radeon rx580 8gb, 3 x 1tb hdd. I will put and screenshots of partitions and of System Reserved partition (seen through windows 7)

    The next step I am considering is to clone C partition from hdd-1 to hdd-2. Dual boot – 1st for work, 2nd for games. And last step – full backup of both installations (bckp of 1st on hdd-2 and bckp of 2nd on hdd-1).

    I tried something different – i did active partition C: and cloned it on hdd-2. Then I made the partition System Reserved active again. So I also got Dual-boot Windows and used EasyBCD (EasyBCD is located on the 3rd hdd) to make a startup menu with both Windows, but loading the second Windows is very slow and goes through restarting the computer (loading the first Windows is fast and does not go through restarting the computer) - bottom video link.

    How can I merge system and boot partitions-new-pc-_01.jpgHow can I merge system and boot partitions-new-pc-_02.jpg

    Here's slow loading cloned Windows
    YouTube
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,195
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #12

    In your current setup with 2 HDD's with OS on them....
    all you had to do was Restore OS1 to OS2 partition

    then add boot menu entry via cmd prompt to existing options>
    bcdboot D:\Windows

    no need to set partition as active or use easyBCD.......

    Note: WinRE is also in the "System Reserve" partition
    The reason I say Restore OS - and NOT Clone OS - is so as to avoid Same GUID on partition

    To Fix...
    Set OS2 Partition Inactive
    Open RUN and type MSCONFIG
    goto Boot Tab > remove any Entry - Not related to C:\
    open command prompt(admin) type > bcdboot D:\Windows

    reboot and you should have two OS boot options -
    Use EasyBCD to rename one OS = Windows10 Work
    thus you can differentiate between the 2
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18,471
    Windows 11 Pro
       #13

    Steve C said:
    Is this action wise to avoid future upgrade problems?
    No, it is not wise to do. The OP only asked how to do it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 9
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Kyhi said:
    .... To Fix...
    Set OS2 Partition Inactive
    Open RUN and type MSCONFIG
    goto Boot Tab > remove any Entry - Not related to C:\
    open command prompt(admin) type > bcdboot D:\Windows

    reboot and you should have two OS boot options -
    Use EasyBCD to rename one OS = Windows10 Work
    thus you can differentiate between the 2
    I tried this, but the issue I talk about (seen on the video) still exist – if I choose 1st OS in the menu (no matter which one I put first), this OS immediately starts loading, but if I choose 2nd OS, then computer first restart and (after a little delay) begin loading. I guess it happens because these two OS's are on separate hdd's, initially BIOS configured as bootable hdd with the first OS in the menu, but when I select the second OS, it is on the second hdd and so BIOS should put this hdd as bootable and therefore the computer restarts. But I don't understand why first appears Windows 10 logo (and something loads in the background) and only then the selection menu pops up.
    One more thing - if the hdd-1 is damaged, will the menu reappear when the computer starts (so I can choose the OS from the 2nd hdd)? Or to put it a little differently - if both OS's are independent and each is on the first active partition of the two hdd's - will this make the menu appear so I can choose the other OS?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,195
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #15

    Your best Bet would be to create OS2 on a separate partition on the same disk as OS1
    And leave second HDD as your DATA Disk....

    As a test (to answer your own question) unplug First HDD and see if the second one Boots...

    How can I merge system and boot partitions-image008.jpg

    As you can see in - I have 3OS and a Small System Partition...
    Whereas WinRE is registered to each OS via :\Recovery
    And not System Reserve - and updates to next Win10 OS version just fine
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 9
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #16

    If I remove System Partition, can I have problems with updates to next Windows 10 version?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,471
    Windows 11 Pro
       #17

    render1967 said:
    If I remove System Partition, can I have problems with updates to next Windows 10 version?
    Yep. It could complain that your disk is not in a standard layout.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #18

    Kyhi said:
    ....
    As a test (to answer your own question) unplug First HDD and see if the second one Boots...
    I tried this - computer stuck after POST.

    Later I make backup of 1st OS, format OS2 partition and restore backup of OS1 there - 2nd OS does not boot.
    Remove entry for 2nd OS in MSCONFIG, add entry via cmd prompt, but after restart don't want to boot in 2nd OS
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 9
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Thank you all for your answers!
    I've tried different options and think I've found the only convenient solution for me (if I can call it that). Two independent installations of Windows 10 on two separate hard drives and the choice of boot disk via F11 when booting the computer (with additional BIOS setup for 10 seconds hold of screen, from which I can press F11).
    That way, even if one of the hard drives gets damaged, I'll have a fully functioning computer.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,471
    Windows 11 Pro
       #20

    You can set up dual booting of two different hard drives with the Windows boot menu. Lot more convenient then going through the BIOS boot menu options every time you want to switch, IMHO.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 23:59.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums