I can't make a bootable partition

[Ventro]

Hi,
I have an HP pavilion dv6 that came with windows 7 64 bit. But I'd like to install Windows 8 on a separate partition. I tested this out on another computer and was able to successfully make a bootable partition and run both windows 7 and windows 8. But when it comes to my dv6 I'm having issues. At first I found online that a dynamic partitions can't install windows and that only 4 partitions max per drive. Did some more searching and found out that I could just delete my hp_tools and recovery partitions after I make a backup. And even though I did that, I still get dynamic partitions. Keeping me from installing any other os.

 

[DMHolt57]

See if you can figure out how you got in this predicament from looking at these tutorials...
Windows 7 Forums the biggest Windows 7 help and support forum, friendly help and many Windows 7 tutorials that will help you get the most out of Microsofts new Windows 7 Operating System. - Search Results for Dynamic to Basic

 

[gregrocker]

The problem is that you converted your HD to Dynamic which is only meant to be used to span a partition across multiple HD's. Apparently you didn't see the warning message.

The solution to solve this non-destructively is to boot free Partition Wizard CD version 4.2 which is the last one which offers this as a free feature: pw422.zip ISO - Windows Live.

Download the ISO, rightclick to burn it to CD using Windows Image Burner, or use ImgBurn.

Boot CD. You will need to delete the extra partition(s) you created which tipped it to convert to Dynamic before it will convert back to Basic.

Then follow these video steps: How to convert dynamic disk to basic disk with Partition Wizard?

In addition after conversion rightclick on System Reserved to Modify>Set to Active, OK, Apply so Win8 knows that's where the System boot files are to modify for a Dual Boot. Then Boot Win8 installer to install to the partition you made.

While you've deleted the HP OEM partitions for tools and recovery, if you still have the bloated HP preinstall you should also consider starting from scratch to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to dump the worst load of sponsored crapware and useless duplicate utilties in the industry.
In that case you can from the installer Command Line wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command then install Win7 to a partition you create during install for it, do the same for Win8 which will config the Dual boot.

 

[Ventro]

The problem is that you converted your HD to Dynamic which is only meant to be used to span a partition across multiple HD's. Apparently you didn't see the warning message.

The solution to solve this non-destructively is to boot free Partition Wizard CD version 4.2 which is the last one which offers this as a free feature: pw422.zip ISO - Windows Live.

Download the ISO, rightclick to burn it to CD using Windows Image Burner, or use ImgBurn.

Boot CD. You will need to delete the extra partition(s) you created which tipped it to convert to Dynamic before it will convert back to Basic.

Then follow these video steps: How to convert dynamic disk to basic disk with Partition Wizard?

In addition after conversion rightclick on System Reserved to Modify>Set to Active, OK, Apply so Win8 knows that's where the System boot files are to modify for a Dual Boot. Then Boot Win8 installer to install to the partition you made.

While you've deleted the HP OEM partitions for tools and recovery, if you still have the bloated HP preinstall you should also consider starting from scratch to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to dump the worst load of sponsored crapware and useless duplicate utilties in the industry.
In that case you can from the installer Command Line wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command then install Win7 to a partition you create during install for it, do the same for Win8 which will config the Dual boot.

Thanks very much, that helped a lot. I was able to finally get it to work. Thank you.