Can Not reinstall Windows

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Irakli76


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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
 
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chscag

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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.
 
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Irakli76


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chscag said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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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
 
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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.
 
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Irakli76


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SammySlim said:
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
Click to expand...

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

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

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