Pudding_Man

Occupying sectors 0-16064????

Hi, I went to a lot of trouble to consolidate the 100 mb (BCD/bitlocker etc) partition that Win7 unexpectedly created when I installed 7 some months ago. Since then I've configured a 7/XP multi-boot system and thought it was stable. C: stored 7, D: stored XP, and there were 2 additional partitions (all primary). Recently Partition Wizard (bootable) tells me there is an unallocated 7.84 mb logical partition occupying sectors 0-16064. Neither 7 nor XP reports the existence of this space. It wasn't there about 6 weeks ago. I didn't knowingly do anything to create it. Does anyone have any idea what might have happened? I suspect something to do with Win7, but I don't know what. Thx, P

Ahhh. You've got it all figured out perfectly! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! :-) P

There is no (repeat NO) evidence of a malware problem. Take a peek at [MSUPDATE KB980408]Warning To All Win7 x64 Users. - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net if you're really interested. P

Win7-64 Home Premium OEM on a little desktop system at my home. When I rename file XXX, I get the message: Item Not Found. XXX is no longer located in c:\... Verify location and try again. Date created: xx-xx-xxxx When I click "Try Again" the rename looks complete. But it causes numerous other problems. I checked attributes on the folder, did a "take ownership", etc. UAC has been turned off for months. This is evidently a known problem, possibly connected to KB980408, which I haven't even managed to find on my system. I haven't been able to positively track it down, focus on the exact problem and solution. I need to fix it ASAP. Any help with this would be much appreciated. Someone has nailed it down? Thx, P

The one I'm somewhat familiar with is Partition Wizard. I have 2 identical 500gb SATA HD's on my new system, with win7 and XP in multi-boot on disk 1. A bootable Partition Wizard CD was used to duplicate the 2 partitions on disk 2. When I test-boot on disk 2, I find BCD recognizes only win7. It boots to a blank screen and tells me that Windows 7 is not genuine (or similar). It lies: the W7 copy has been verified (on disk 1) on precisely the same hardware. The XP partition won't boot at all (NTLDR missing). Can you explain this behavior? Should I expect better using Acronis etc?? From what I've heard, the Europeans had very good reasons to ask many, many questions of MS. MS simply abuses its Windows users to no end. A good example is the Windows Media Player experience. Just google "WMP problems", "uninstall WMP", etc etc. I have no interest whatsoever is debating this issue. The issues with backups of a system which is constantly in use are simple. There are many, many open files. When a backup is run, one simply doesn't know exactly what one has for a backup (what open files were in what state precisely when the backup copied them). Such backups are often not useless, but are certainly not precise. When/if I backup an inactive system, I get an exact copy of the state of each file at a precise point in time. If practical, this is very much desirable. As regards XP, I have installed/investigated Win7 extensively, find it lacking in more ways than I can "shake a stick at", and choose to run XP on a daily basis so long as it is practical to do so. I will maintain Win7 as an "emergency" system. I appreciate the info re Acronis, etc. My DSL service went dicey last week and I haven't been able to look into them to date, but I hope to do so later this week. Thanks, P

Proper backups require a lot of work and considerable inconvenience. I suppose it's inevitable that numerous software vendors would make all manner of claims for their backup products. Such claims are often not fulfilled in practical terms. It has been estimated that something like 90% of backups won't restore/recover in a timely manner, and 40+% won't restore/recover at all without drastic measures. If I understand a problematical process like backup as implemented by a software product, I will invest the resources necessary to test and implement it. Unsubstantiated claims re overcoming a major obstacle like open files affects me like water off the proverbial duck's back . In addition to the other considerations, I *think* it should be practical to boot a true image-backup in an emergency. I've done so with pre-Vista Windows systems. Apologies if I omitted this detail in the original query. MS loves its Cash Cows. They invest little or nothing on bundled utilities. To depend on Win backup without hard evidence of viability, extensive testing, etc is, for me, to exhibit faith above and beyond reason. I've been doing backup as described with pre-Vista Windows systems. I *think* it should be practical with Win7 using freeware/shareware. If it is not practical, I would like to know why. If such info is not available here, of course, I will understand. Any/all on-topic responses would be very much appreciated. P

As many are well aware of, it is not practical to backup a running system. There are simply too many open files. Years ago, certain multi-user systems would simply shut down for a specified period while a special operating program booted and ran the backup. In years past I maintained 2 bootable OS images (MS pre-Vista Windows) in separate partitions: one to boot and use on a daily basis, and another 'utility' image to run backup once a week (and for emergencies). I used Partition Magic to generate backup copies. I'd like to do something similar with my new Win7/XP multi-boot desktop build. Apparently Win7 presents some new problems with this approach. My system has 2 500gb SATA hard drives. Win7/XP multi-boot is installed on disk 1. When I duplicate the 2 partitions on disk 2 with Partition Wizard, the result has special characteristics. The BCD boot-manager allows booting of Win7 only, and the booted OS is useless except to tell the user that the Win7 install is invalid. The install on disk 1 is fully legal and verified. To my knowledge there is no restriction on running a second copy of the OS. Does anyone have a handle on what is practical and not-practical (and why) as regards this approach? I would very much like to avoid using any Microsoft software for backup, couldn't bring myself to depend on it. Any/all help/info much appreciated. P

Many thanks, that is helpful info. All the sellers with Dell-branded XP CD's (which I've heard are "bios-locked") claim it will install on any system. There was one in Germany that stated that the OEM license was previously registered, that a German court found it legal to re-register, and it was OK to install in any country (at least strongly implied). On the other hand, I dug up some old Emails that indicated that MS was often pretty liberal about re-registering OEM copies of XP. One fella said he was on his 3rd build/motherboard. Well, I've got a pretty good idea of what is involved. With a bit of care, it shouldn't be a big deal. Danke, P

Can you spare a couple/3 hours? :-) It's everything. "Trusted Installer" ownership, super-screwy alleged security, endless mis-nomered folders like "My This", "My That", etc etc ad nauseum. I'm used to multi-boot with legacy windows, allows me to do standalone backups, etc with common partitioning software. Now I install Win7 and it has to have 2 partitions. I have yet to find anyone that can explain what the extra 100mb partition does/doesn't do. They have buggered the standard partition scheme. The clincher might be Workgroup. I have simplest imaginable net with ATT DSL, 2-wire router, W2k pc and Win7 pc, all hardwired. And I can't get it to work. Tryed with varying ip, static ip, posted queries on numerous forums. Nothing works. Windows is "King of the Desktop" and is a Big, Big Deal. Everyone has to execute their own "take" on the issue of Win7. I've looked it over pretty carefully, and my personal opinion (that I don't wish to argue) is that it is essentially Vista II. Tons of folks have gotten tons of work done with XP in spite of MS. I don't see it going away nearly as soon as MS would like. So the song goes. Supposed to be the same for my Win7 OEM that I ordered from TigerDirect in 05-2010, and it shipped w/o hardware. All I will consider will be "unopened pack". I hope that is relatively risk-free, but I don't actually know. P

No doubt you know more about it than I. Were what you bought in sealed packages? Recall what you payed? XP OEM Pro sealed appears to be going for about $90 on Ebay. Does "slightly mis licenced" mean they just endure endless nag-screens? Whats the difference between that and "media only"? You can't see the product key with a sealed package, can you? Have to open it to distinguish the key? Thx, P

Aside from *nixes, mention a few. Win7, with unjustified idiot-proofing, hand-cuffs both the user and the Admin. Lost me there with that last. In practical terms, what is the difference between activated and legal? I sort of agree re Ebay: 'tis a snake-pit. But there is no alternative (to my knowledge). P

Just a brief mention ... I've been looking into XP Pro licenses offered on Ebay, and I think maybe I've discovered "The Snake-Pit Of The Century". :-) Due to the complexity of MS licensing, no seller perfectly describes the product offered. No doubt some are valid, some definitely are not, and there are lits in between. There are many, many Dell-specific XP CD's, all offered as good for "any PC". Looks to be even worse on Amazon. Be glad that you needs not hassle such! P

FN-GM, nephilim, Thanks for your timely responses. I have Win7 64-bit Home Premium OEM from TigerDirect. The MS page at Understanding Downgrade Rights indicates that I have no downgrade rights: Other (non Pro, Ultimate) OEM Windows 7 versions (for instance, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium) do not include downgrade rights. Is it legal to swap an MS license with another user? Thx, P

I am retired and have been running W2k for many years. Recently built a new desktop system for which I licensed Win7-64 HP OEM. I don't like it, and, given an alternative, likely will run it little or none. My new hardware does not support W2k, but it supports XP. To my knowledge, the only source (for me) for an XP license is Ebay. I am familiar with "full" and "OEM" versions, but some of the finer points of valid licensing I understand not. Does anyone know what they are doing with XP licenses on Ebay? Some would be valid and some not? How to tell the difference? Several list COA and some prices look to be in line with XP retail prices about a year ago. I have no desire to run software that is not properly licensed. Thanks, P