Can Not reinstall Windows

Irakli76 · Irakli76 #1 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 10:44 AM

I had Windows XP on my Macbookpro. I deleted it via Boot camp Assistant. Now I want to install Windows 7, but it does not allow me. I get message " The disk cannot be partitioned because some files cannot be moved. Does anyone know how to deal with this without reformatting whole Mac Disk? Thnx

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 12:55 PM

Sorry, but that message is stating that the drive is fragmented and not enough free contiguous space remains to create a partition. The solution is to backup everything using Time Machine, reinstall OS X, restore from Time Machine and try again. It should work after that.

Irakli76 · Irakli76 #3 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chscag

Sorry, but that message is stating that the drive is fragmented and not enough free contiguous space remains to create a partition. The solution is to backup everything using Time Machine, reinstall OS X, restore from Time Machine and try again. It should work after that.

Many thanks for reply. I use Time machine but never restored anything from it. How safe this action is? Will I need to install all apps again or it will restore automatically. I installed my OS x lion from App store, should I install it from there again?

Thanks

SammySlim · SammySlim #4 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 01:50 PM

It's quite safe. But if you want to try another option, for $30 you can buy iDefrag, which will defragment your disk. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any free defragmenting utilities.

Coriolis Systems :: Products :: iDefrag

Even if you use iDefrag, definitely back up your HD first. Also, you could consider installing Windows in a virtual machine this time around - that would also avoid the issue.

Cheers

chscag · chscag #5 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 01:50 PM

You will need to restore everything. So make sure that your Time Machine backup is complete and that you have backed up everything on your hard drive.

Irakli76 · Irakli76 #6 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammySlim

It's quite safe. But if you want to try another option, for $30 you can buy iDefrag, which will defragment your disk. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any free defragmenting utilities.

Coriolis Systems :: Products :: iDefrag

Even if you use iDefrag, definitely back up your HD first. Also, you could consider installing Windows in a virtual machine this time around - that would also avoid the issue.

Cheers

So, if I free up some more space, then defragment the disk by iDefrag, then it should install windows without formatting mac HD?

Thanks for your help

Irakli76 · Irakli76 #7 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chscag

You will need to restore everything. So make sure that your Time Machine backup is complete and that you have backed up everything on your hard drive.

Thanks for your help

SammySlim · SammySlim #8 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 02:57 PM

It might. No guarantees but many have reported success with iDefrag in this setting.

Cheers

Irakli76 · Irakli76 #9 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammySlim

It might. No guarantees but many have reported success with iDefrag in this setting.

Cheers

Do you know if it is possible to install windows from external drive and not from the disk?

SammySlim · SammySlim #10 (**permalink**)

09-07-2011, 05:33 PM

No it is not. That's a Microsoft limitation that's been in Windows for awhile, as I understand it.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,978 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	09-07-2011, 12:55 PM Sorry, but that message is stating that the drive is fragmented and not enough free contiguous space remains to create a partition. The solution is to backup everything using Time Machine, reinstall OS X, restore from Time Machine and try again. It should work after that. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,978 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	09-07-2011, 01:50 PM You will need to restore everything. So make sure that your Time Machine backup is complete and that you have backed up everything on your hard drive. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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Irakli76 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 6	09-07-2011, 10:44 AM I had Windows XP on my Macbookpro. I deleted it via Boot camp Assistant. Now I want to install Windows 7, but it does not allow me. I get message " The disk cannot be partitioned because some files cannot be moved. Does anyone know how to deal with this without reformatting whole Mac Disk? Thnx
	QUOTE Thanks

SammySlim #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 12, 2008 Posts: 937	09-07-2011, 01:50 PM It's quite safe. But if you want to try another option, for $30 you can buy iDefrag, which will defragment your disk. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any free defragmenting utilities. Coriolis Systems :: Products :: iDefrag Even if you use iDefrag, definitely back up your HD first. Also, you could consider installing Windows in a virtual machine this time around - that would also avoid the issue. Cheers
	QUOTE Thanks

SammySlim #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 12, 2008 Posts: 937	09-07-2011, 02:57 PM It might. No guarantees but many have reported success with iDefrag in this setting. Cheers
	QUOTE Thanks

SammySlim #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 12, 2008 Posts: 937	09-07-2011, 05:33 PM No it is not. That's a Microsoft limitation that's been in Windows for awhile, as I understand it.
	QUOTE Thanks

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