bootloader crash - dynamic disks

[quas]

I've recently plugged in a new hdd in order to backup some files and after I got it out, windows bootloader stopped working. I've tried to recover it by repairing and so on (bootrec, automatically startup repairing, etc.), but it still didn't work so I decided to reinstall it. The problem is that both my disks had been converted to dynamic (the only partition which wasn't dynamic was the system partition) and when I try to install my windows on the same partition that it was previously installed on, I get this error "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information". I can't delete any of the dynamic partitions to try to install on my other hdd or whatever.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Maguscreed]

Well since you already have a backup made it might be best to just wipe the disk and start fresh.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[fafhrd]

Your first sentence suggests that you "plugged in" a second hard disk and then removed it, and since the PC has not booted - is this correct?

Is this an internal HDD or an external? SATA or something else?

Can you plug the second HDD back in and then start up?

Is your data safe, so that you would be happy to wipe all and start from scratch?

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need to use Diskpart Clean All command to convert it back to basic, unless you want to resurrect your old install because it is still intact, in which case you can use free Partition Wizard version 4.2 to convert Disk to Basic non-destructively.

Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command - Windows 7 Forums.url
partition wizard 4.2 free.zip - Windows Live

 

[quas]

can't make changes to dynamic drives

I plugged in that hdd to backup some files from it to my currently two hdds. They are both in dynamic. I can't make any changes to the dynamic partitions! (which I made through Windows 7!!). So I have a backup of most of my files through win 7 synchronization (mirroring).
Therefore, please take notice of the error that I wrote in the previous post. This is the real issue - I know how to make a so-called 'clean install' which is basically a win 7 installation, anyway.

Sorry, I've replied to the first user. I'll have to read the other two posts.

 

[quas]

R

Ok, I'll try to be more explicit.
I have to hdds (500GB and 1TB). On the 500GB hdd I had the win 7 installation and the other partition was mirrored by one on the 1TB hdd (it was 400GB partition or so). I have all my data on these two hdds and I have nowhere to transfer my data to. Is there no way to install my windows on the same partition on which it was installed till now?
Windows CONVERTED these drives do dynamic. How can it be incapable of installing on the same partition!? It's its own software! I find it unbelievable.


P.S. How could I make use of any software if I can't boot windows and can't use ANY partition?

 

[gregrocker]

Your disks converted to Dyanamic because you tried to add another partition when there were already four Primary, then ignored the prompt warning that this would be done in that case.

Dynamic is meant to link partitions across multiple HD's, not for the use you want.

Your options are to use Diskpart Clean All to wipe HD to convert it back to Basic, or if you want to save what's on it use PW 4.2 to Convert to Basic on Disk tab.

Mirroring backup will not work as it's mirrored Dynamic.

Read more about this and see other options here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26829-convert-dynamic-disk-basic-disk.html

You can try to copy out your data using this method with the booted 7 DVD or Repair CD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

 

[quas]

R

What you're saying is that you can have mirroring between two partitions belonging to two different hdds without the dynamic conversion?

I don't know how to make it clearer, but Windows turned them into dynamic disks because I wanted mirroring between two partitions pertaining to two different hdds. That's all. Now Microsoft couldn't find a way for the user to (re)install windows on an already dynamic disk. This is simply outrageous

Let alone the fact that the partition on which windows was installed wasn't mirrored (which is impossible to do, I believe, anyway). So it should be easier. But somehow, Windows can't access the partition table, as it's "encrypted" by its own doing through the dynamic disk. This is incredible

 

[gregrocker]

This is not MS so save your outrage for one of their websites. Now is the time to focus on what needs to be done not what you feel was done to you.

If you have no OS to install PW 4.2 upon to convert your HD's back to Basic, then unplug all but the Win7 HD, boot the Win7 DVD Repair console to run Startup Repair repeatedly, making sure the 100mb is still marked Active.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

You can also try converting to Basic using the PW boot disk, or by plugging your Win7 HD into another computer which has an OS you can install PW 4.2 upon.

 

[fafhrd]

Sadly, quas, you misunderstand what mirroring is, and the difference between that and cloning, copying, imaging, and other terms used which all have slightly different meanings and effects on the physical media they apply to, despite their semantic similarity.

Have you plugged the second drive back in and tried to start the system or not?

 

[quas]

R

What else could mirroring mean other than synchronizing two partitions of two different hdds (software-based, of course)?

I can't do that. I had to have it serviced, so it's going to take a week. But I don't think there's going to be any difference, anyway, as I deleted it all and they probably going to return another one.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You have no issue with MS as everything did exactly as it's expected to perform, you asked it to mirror partitions across HDD/partitions and it did exactly what it is supposed to do, create Dynamic disks, there's no one to blame except yourself.

Now do as Greg suggests to clean up the mess you created.

 

[fafhrd]

Mirroring is type 1 Raid (RAID1), a special way to safeguard data by replicating it on two synchronized disks which both have to be present - if one fails, a replacement disk will have the failed disk replicated onto it by the RAID software.

It is not the same as copying the disk, cloning the disk or creating a disk image, any of which would have done what you wanted.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Here's some additional information to study.


Basic and Dynamic Disks (Windows)

 

[quas]

@fafhrd
I really don't see what's wrong with real-time backup which I can get with mirroring. Why should I be cloning, copying or whatever if windows mirroring did the trick the best why? How else could I have achieved this?

 

[fafhrd]

@fafhrd
I really don't see what's wrong with real-time backup which I can get with mirroring. Why should I be cloning, copying or whatever if windows mirroring did the trick the best why? How else could I have achieved this?

You didn't get real-time backup, though - you got a non-bootable system, it seems.

How can I put his in understandable terms - you wanted a copy of the files, you should have copied the files.

If you had wanted to backup the system, you should have used a backup program.

Alternatives to backups are disk clones - exact sector for sector reproductions of the original.

Disk images contain all the essential stuff, but some, like windows image (.wim) format are clever enough to leave out all the metadata, which can be reproduced by the system once reinstated.

Mirroring, I described previously. It is not what you should have used, and your results, sadly, prove that.

 

[quas]

R

So what you're saying is that windows mirroring is bad in any case? And implicitly dynamic disks? (With which, indeed, I've been having problems since I came across them - can't install linux, for instance)

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yes!


You will need to wipe them so they become unallocated space and then they can be recreated as Basic disks after you have backed-up the data you need to save to external media; Greg gave you the non-destructive method earlier.

Here is additional information below.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[fafhrd]

I would not say "bad" - just inappropriate, or even "wrong" for your situation.

If you want to read about RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) and Dynamic Disks as opposed to simple basic disks, what they are and why they are used, I would suggest that you let Google be your guide.

Follow the advice of the wise members here (not necessarily blindly, ask if you do not understand why, if sometimes you may receive conflicting advice), and you will not go far wrong.

Good luck!

 

[quas]

I've plugged in both my hdds into another win 7 computer, but none of them can be seen by win 7. in disk management it says 'dynamic disk' (together with an exclamation point) and under it it says 'foreign'. So how should I proceed? turn to basic disk safely? Do you think the data is at all recoverable?