First use of Macrium Reflect: Questions

[malvoglio]

In the meantime, pwhe8.1.iso has finished downloading.

I await your instructions and won't reboot the computer. If possible, please give as detailed, step-by-step instructions as you can.

 

[malvoglio]

I just looked at the screenshot and there is something wrong with it. In the screenshot, there is an unbroken solid olive green bar above both Windows ( C: ) and Volume ( I: ). But in Disk Manager, they are separated by the same thin white line as the other volumes.

 

[malvoglio]

I've been looking around on the Partition Wizard website and found this:

"Terrible result of operation failure
No matter converting basic disk to dynamic disk or converting dynamic disk to basic disk, partition management software is only operating on MBR. MBR, Master Boot Record in short, is in the first sector of the whole hard disk, including the important Disk Partition Table (DPT). DPT records the number of partitions, size of partitions, starting sector and terminal sector, etc. When using partition magic software to do with the MBR, we should be extremely careful, because the damage of MBR will cause the terrible damage of partition. Moreover, if the system information is damaged, the operating system will crash. Many kinds of partition managers modify MBR during conversion between dynamic disk and basic disk. The partition may be lost because of the operation. More professional partition magic is the best choice for us. "
​

With that in mind, could you please tell me what effect hard disk encryption may have on using this software? Am I correct that my encrypted hard disk has a non-standard MBR which may influence the outcome of the operation?

 

[malvoglio]

The download page you linked me to was a bit confusing, there are two download links. I have now clicked on the other link, which gives me a pwhe8.exe file. Don't know what the .iso file is supposed to be for.

 

[whs]

You need the .iso file and burn that to CD - e.g. with ImgBurn or any CD burning program you have on your system. That will be a very useful utility that you will probably use often.

And what is this encryption problem. Are your partitions encrypted. If yes, we'll have to do some more research.

 

[malvoglio]

HP Client Security is something that came with my computer purchased six months ago. One of its features is that you can encrypt the entire hard disk contents, not just files and folders.

This page has more info:

"As part of HP Client Security, HP Drive Encryption will offer HP customers Full Volume Encryption (FVE), full support for OPAL Self Encrypting Drives (SEDs), pre-boot authentication, key back-up and recovery and system recovery."
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When the computer starts up, the very first thing that appears on the screen is the page where I can sign on using the fingerprint reader. Only after that, Windows starts.

Because I have confidential client files on this notebook, I find it a very useful feature to have, should it ever get stolen.

 

[whs]

Hmm, I don't know what to say. I have never used PW on an encrypted disk. And I really don't know what effects we will encounter.

It is probably wise to backup all your data. The OS we can always reinstall, but I don't want you to lose your data. And run and save Belarc advisor. That lists all your product keys and a lot of other information. And don't forget to save your favorites.

This is just a safety measure in case things do happen when we do the conversion. Normally we would make images, but with those rotten dynamics that is not possible.

You could try the Windows imaging. Maybe that works. You find it on the left side here: Control Panel\System and Security\Backup and Restore

 

[malvoglio]

Perhaps your colleague kado897 could be consulted? He has an HP computer with the same disk layout that mine has (or had).

 

[whs]

Here is another option. I have used AOMEI a few times. It's an OK program.
Backup Dynamic System Volume on Dynamic Disk With Free Softw

 

[malvoglio]

I will do as you say with Belarc advisor. Will this also give me the product key on the Windows sticker should have come with my computer? That would be quite useful. It does not have a Windows sticker anywhere, not even when I open up the battery compartment.

 

[malvoglio]

Here is another option. I have used AOMEI a few times. It's an OK program.
Backup Dynamic System Volume on Dynamic Disk With Free Softw

So you are saying forget about converting back from dynamic to basic, then?

 

[malvoglio]

And now I see this at the PW website:

Note: The home edition of MiniTool Partition software does not support “convert dynamic disk to basic”.
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So it doesn't seem that it would have helped me in any case. Unless that information is out of date and they've included it in the Home edition.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=b0a22789320e3247&id=B0A22789320E3247!215

Older versions of Partition Wizard bootable disc WILL convert from dynamic to basic.

Get PW422 from above link. It was uploaded to that site by a highly respected member here and is legit.

 

[whs]

The windows key that Belarc lists is only useful when it is a retail key. An OEM key cannot be used for reinstallation. For that you need the original recovery disc.

Btw - is there a way you could decrypt that disk.

 

[malvoglio]

Thanks, I will download it but not perform the conversion yet. Waiting for more input from whs or kado.

 

[whs]

Here is another option. I have used AOMEI a few times. It's an OK program.
Backup Dynamic System Volume on Dynamic Disk With Free Softw

So you are saying forget about converting back from dynamic to basic, then?

No, you absolutely must reconvert to basic because when you try to reboot, it will not work.

 

[whs]

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=b0a22789320e3247&id=B0A22789320E3247!215

Older versions of Partition Wizard bootable disc WILL convert from dynamic to basic.

Get PW422 from above link. It was uploaded to that site by a highly respected member here and is legit.

That is not the problem. The problem is that his disk is encrypted. And since I have never done that with an encrypted disk, I do not know what the risks are.

 

[malvoglio]

The windows key that Belarc lists is only useful when it is a retail key. An OEM key cannot be used for reinstallation. For that you need the original recovery disc.

I don't believe a recovery disc came with the computer. But let's set this issue aside so as not to get sidetracked.

Btw - is there a way you could decrypt that disk.

Don't know, actually. Even if possible, sounds like a major operation that could go wrong. And probably require a reboot, too. Which you've said I should not do yet before converting back from dynamic to basic.

So. How about I backup my data files to a USB stick and then take my chances with the older version of PW that ignatz has pointed me to. If this goes wrong, I still have a two weeks old Windows Backup Image on the external hard disk drive.

I know that restoring from a Windows Backup Image works because I had to use it when the November Windows Update trashed my computer. And then I could add back the files that I would save to the stick now.

I'd lose some of the program installations and browser add-ons that came in the past two weeks but those could be reinstalled.

What do you say?

 

[whs]

This posting was incorrect. I deleted it.

 

[malvoglio]

OK, need to take a 30 minute break. When I return, I may post with any questions that come up about the PW conversion or if that poses no questions, after the conversion completes. Thanks for sticking with me.