Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk

Yes , let it repair and restart.

It will adjust the entry for the HP Recovery partition as well.

Hi SIW"

Right again! Thanks for the confirmation, I thought it wise to make sure, rather than guess.

Acronis say I need to take out a support program to get more help. Sounds like a blank cheque to me. I ve tried out Easeus ToDo but that 'lied' to me so I'm not sure about that one.

Just done an image with Macrium Reflect (30GB in 15 mins and restore in 40 mins). Nice and easy, restored OK. looks good.

Just need to create 2 more logicals and then I can stick my data in the respective folders. Looking very good now.
Thanks again.

Best regards.

hi.
my disk is converted to dynamic... i have read that article to delete my data first.... but i m having Recovery Drive (10 GB) and 78 MB reserved So what to do with that drive...plz reply...

I am in desperate need for your help.
I just bought a new HP laptop (Envy 14) with Window 7 home on it. The hard drive has 500 GB capacity and has 4 partitions already on it.
1. System (199 MB, it does not have drive letter)
2. Partition C
3. Recovery (partition D, 16 GB)
4. HP_Tools (partition E, 103 MB)
I want to partition drive C into 2 parts: one small capacity for all system file and program file, the one large capacity for all data files. I have done this in my previous computers with Window XP and without any problems. I used free software “Partition Wizard Home Edition” to do that.
My computer still runs fine except I just realize that all partitions now become dynamic instead of basic. I don’t know how it happened. When I try to run Acronis True Image software to create backup image it won’t even see the disk.
Here is the screen shot of my HD current configuration (see attachment): Partition G is the new one I created for data file.


I read through the posts on this forum and I am still not sure what my options are at this point.
1. If I want to create image backup for the whole system using Acronis True Image or some other software, do I have to converting the dynamic disk to basic disk to do that?
2. I have already installed a lot of software on the computer. I really don’t want to reinstall them if I don’t have to. I only have small amount of data on it now. So back up data is not the problem. But reinstall all the software would be a huge headache. Is there anyway of converting the dynamic disk to basic disk without deleting the file or formatting the disk? If so, please provide instruction.
3. If I understand correctly from the posts in this forum basic disk only allows 3 primary partitions. Since HP has already used up these partitions I need to delete one of these partitions. Which one should I delete and how to do it?
Please Help!!!

Have you read this thread right from the beginning as you will see I had exactly the same problem with my new HP laptop. The guys here sorted it out for me just fine and I'm sure they will for you too, but read the thread thoroughly as you will probably need to do what I did which was to delete the SYSTEM partition which will give you the partition which you can use as your logical. I suggest you wait for the experts to take you through it though.

It is doable if it is like my system!

bertie11 said:

Have you read this thread right from the beginning as you will see I had exactly the same problem with my new HP laptop. The guys here sorted it out for me just fine and I'm sure they will for you too, but read the thread thoroughly as you will probably need to do what I did which was to delete the SYSTEM partition which will give you the partition which you can use as your logical. I suggest you wait for the experts to take you through it though.

It is doable if it is like my system!

Bertiell,

I read through the entire posts in this forum. It seems to me you had the exact problem as I have now. If I understand correctly these are the two parts how you solved the problem.

1. First you use the Partition Wizard Pro (paid version) to convert the dynamic disk back to basic disk. This procedure won't erase or delete any file on your drive (am I correct on this?). The old version of the Partition Wizard (v. 4.2 ) can do the same thing and it is free. I may wan to try that first.
2. However, even after you converted the disk from dynamic to basic you still can't create additional partition because HP already used up 3 primary partitions with system, recovery and HP_tools. You need to delete the system partition first before you can create any new partition. There is tutorial on this topic that gives step by step instruction. But from your post it seems to me it is not straight forward. This is where I am getting nervous about doing this step.

Can some experts on this forum (SIW2 and others) walk me through this process of deleting system partition with step by step instruction. I did have the HP recovery disks that I made when I first got the laptop. I don't know what is on the disks. I assume Window 7 is on the disk. I don't have any other Window 7 disk.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

WHS

Thank you so much for the help!

I did the first part by using Partition Wizard 4.2 version to convert the disk from dynamic to basic. It went without any problem. Now I have 5 partitions on my disk. See screenshot here.


I have partition C (120GB, Primary) mainly for window system and program files
Partition G (328 GB, logical) mainly for data files.

I am OK with this. The Acronis True Image can now see the disk and gives me the option to create a image backup for partition C. This is what I want in the first place (make a system image backup). I still have 3 additional partitions that HP installed initially. I probably don't need them but I also don't need to delete them at this point. Your post indicates that MBR is still in the system partition. This means that I need to be careful when I make the image backup; not to make the partition C as active and not to replace the MBR when restore the image. Other than these two points I should be able to create image of partition C (Window file and program file) and restore them back when needed. Am I correct on this? I am still not sure if the window file is on Partition C or is on HP's hidden system partition.

Please confirm that my understanding and plan is sound before I create the actual image file. I want to make sure it will work (restore) when I need it later. I may just use the Macrium software as you suggested.

Thanks so much for your help!

Wangy26

I think you are mistaking SYSTEM partition for the Windows operating system partition. SYSTEM (I'm pretty sure) is an HP partition, I'm not sure what is on it but I don't think it should be active. You need the C: Windows to be active.

When I did this, I think I deleted the HP SYSTEM partition so I finished up with C:\Windows64, D:\Recovery, E:\HP_Tools and then my logical partitions that I created from the 'released MBR' partition.

Someone here will confirm (or correct me) about this, so hang fire until you hear.