I moved a partition slightly using Linux gparted. This was successful but the problem was when Windows boot breaks as it can't find its old partition ID.
So, if possible, boot with Vista recovery (pressing the F8 key immediately on Vista boot) and try the automatic recovery. Another option is the Vista installation DVD; or failing that download and burn the Vista Recovery DVD from http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/.
However, this might not be the end of the problem. Dell machines have a separate boot and recovery partition before the system partition. Problems arise when the recovery procedure allocates the drive names in disk order: C for RECOVERY and D for OS. On reboot Vista then gets very confused looking for files in C: and insisting on keeping them in D:.
The solution, hopefully, is to run the command prompt from the recovery boot again. Windows boot files are now longer directly editable for some silly reason, so you'll need to use the bcdedit program which will be available from the recovery boot (EasyBCD is a fine program for editing the boot record but unfortunately this isn't going to be available on a disabled system).
bcdedit
lists the current boot record.
bcdedit /v
lists the current boot record with full device IDs.
In order to change device names, using the device IDs as listed, use the "/set" switch followed by the ID device and the full correct partition. For example:
bcdedit /set {549a88e6-38fe-11de-8cb6-d0e4c85376d6} device partition=c:
bcdedit /set {549a88e6-38fe-11de-8cb6-d0e4c85376d6} osdevice partition=c:
Try a reboot.
Believe it or not, problems can persist (such a bloody annoying system). Although the BCD records lists the system device as C: again, Vista decides to suddenly use E:. The problem this time lies in the registry. Somewhere along the line device C: is listed as a mounted device and unavailable. And unfortunately it becomes impossible to edit the registry from a disabled system.
However, thankfully there is a Linux solution to editing the registry offline.
From a live CD (download from http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download), USB system or second installed system, install chntpw ("Change NT Password"). Apart from its obviously main purpose of changing passwords this neat program also allows simple but reliable offline registry editing.
To install on debian-based Linux system:
sudo apt-get install chntpw
To learn more about the program:
man chntpw
To run on, for example a Vista disk mounted at /media/OS, run with the "-e" edit switch as:
chntpw -e /media/OS/Windows/System32/config/SYSTEM
Once inside the program, then:
For help, use: ?
To list registry keys: ls
To list the key
To delete all
And, to quit: q
Reboot, pray.
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