How do I switch OS from a partitioned disk installation?
I’m currently running Vista, gonna partition my hard drive and install Windows 7 on partitioned area. Once I do so, how do I make Windows 7 my boot OS and wipe Vista partition so my drive is no longer partitioned and I’m only running Windows 7?
So you currently have one partition on your hard drive…
The way you intend to do it will just create trouble for you.
There are tools that you can use to shrink the C: drive and create another partitions, like D: but they actually ask you to do backups before you do so. So, if you are going to do backups anyway, I suggest you do the following:
1) Bring an external storage device (like external hard drive), or some USB Flash drive having the appropriate capacity needed for your data files.
2) Backup your data to this storage device. (by copying files and not by moving files)
3) Verify that your backup is correct (this is very important when you do backups)
4) Once you are sure that you have your data in a safe external media, Insert the Windows 7 DVD and boot up your computer using it.
5) see the following tutorial,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
when you reach step 8 of that, click "Delete" button, then create 2 partitions (so that you have drive D: to backup your data on next time you want to install windows)
7) continue with step 9 of that tutorial till the end.
done.