Help partitioning drive

[vv211]

I would like to create a new partition on my drive so I can dual boot between Windows and Ubuntu. I've shrunk the C: drive so I have a little over 100GB of unallocated space, but when I try to make a new partition with that space I get an error box saying that I would need to convert to a dynamic drive and installed OS's (except the current boot volume) will not start. So here are my questions:

-Since I currently have ONLY Windows 7 installed, does the "except current boot volume" mean that I will be able to reboot into windows fine?
-If it doesn't mean that, is there any way to get around this?
-Would converting to a dynamic disk delete my files and such?

Here's some screenshots

 

[edwar]

Any physical disk can only have 4 partition. In your case they are all Primary partitions which is the limit for any one physical disk.

If one of them was an extended partition with Logical drives then you could have more then 4 with many Logical drive in the extended partition. But you don't.

You could try VMware Player Virtual Machine software to install Ubuntu to. Or you can wipe out your drive and start over. But then you would lose all the HP stuff that is included on that drive.

Have you made the System Restore disks? If not I suggest that be the first thing you do whether or not you wipe the drive and start anew.

EDIT:

I would not convert that disk to a Dynamic disk. Very bad to do for what you want.

 

[seavixen32]

Providing you have created a set of HP recovery discs you can delete HP's recovery drive and tools drive, which will then allow to create a primary partion for your dual-boot with Ubuntu.

Basic disks can have either four primary partitions or three primary and one extended partition.

As edwar states, do not convert the disk to a dynamic disk. If you do need more than three partitions you can create a logical partition as part of an extended primary partition.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-basic-and-dynamic-disks

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa363785(v=vs.85).aspx

 

[karlsnooks]

vv211,

Do not convert to dynamic. I'm lazy right now, so I'll just suggest that you google dynamic disk and even check the wiki info that shows up.

Either add another physical disk OR:
This is what I would do:
1. make the HP recovery discs in case you ever want to put things back the way they are,
2. Using Win 7 Backup and Restore, make a system image backup of all partitions on the disk to an external usb drive (this is optional, but would give you a complete restore capability.)
3. make a 100% clean install of Win 7. This way you will have only used two of the max of four primary partitions.

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

 

[gregrocker]

The easiest solution for you is to boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD, rightclick on C to Modify>convert to Logical, then you can add as many contiguous Logical sub-partitions as you wish.

Ubuntu can install to Logical, and WIn7 can also be on one as long as it's System boot files remain on the Primary 100mb System Reserved partition.

In addition I would use only this method to Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7

 

[vv211]

ok, sorry for taking so long to respond back.

here is my new setup:
System partition: primary
C: primary
U: logical
HP_Tools: primary

should i be able to boot into ubuntu using their bootable CD and install on the U: partition?
would it be better to delete U: and leave it as unallocated and install ubuntu on that?
or would it be better to not give a drive letter to U:?
also, should i format the new partition, or leave it as RAW?

 

[mjf]

You have lost your Recovery partition. If you don't plan a full "clean install" this is not good. HP partition their PCs in a way that make it a problem for their customers who want more than one user partition!

I would also tread carefully with Ubuntu dual booting. I have seen so many posts where people come to grief. It is best to put a linux OS on a separate HDD.

 

[gregrocker]

Why did you delete the Recovery partition? I gave you the steps to convert C to Logical and shrink it to add as many Logical sub-partitions as you need. This is how we have helped resolve this on HP's for countless users.

Did you make Recovery disks first?

 

[vv211]

yes i did make recovery discs. I got rid of the recovery partition cause i wanted that 15 gigs of space back.

 

[gregrocker]

OK, but the Recovery partition is the most stable way to run Recovery. You cannot always count on the disks.

However many tech enthusiasts want a much cleaner installation than what's provided by factory Recovery, using these steps to Clean Up Factory Bloatware or even Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

And with Win7 backup imaging you can store externally your own customized backup which can reimage the HD or its replacement in 20 minutes: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Enjoy Win7!

 

[karlsnooks]

vvv211,
Since i have a family member with a HP:
I used diskpart to wipe the disk 100% clean (no more anything from hp)
Installed Windows
Found that Windows drivers worked fine, did not even need to go to HP site and download a single driver.

No HP bloat., no HP partitons, just a clean system.

 

[mjf]

If you or other people want to be able to revert back the original HP partitions after a clean install, then simply use free Macrium Reflect to image all 4 partitions. Store the images away on an external HDD (or 2).
If you want to say sell the PC in its original condition just reimage back.