Warning when formatting unallocated space

[hiqbal]

Got a new notebook HP dv6 with Windows 7 Home Basic (64-bit) and 320 GB hard disk.

I shrinked C Drive to half in order to use additional partition for storage. When I get the unallocated space to format and make a new volume. I get the following warning

"The operation you selected will convert the selected basic disk(s) to dynamic disk(s). If you convert the disk(s) to dynamic, you will not be able to start installed operating systems from any volume on the disk(s) (except the current boot volume). Are you sure want to continue?"

I pressed Yes and nothing happened. When restarted Windows was unable to boot and had to do a complete system recovery. Would like to know what went wrong!

Thanks. H

 

[theog]

Please read the warnings in this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26823-convert-basic-disk-dynamic-disk.html

 

[essenbe]

If I am wrong someone will correct me, but it appears that HP has placed 4 primary partitions on the disk. You are only allowed 4 primary partitions per disk.

 

[mckillwashere]

Correct I forced 5 on a HDD once... Im glad Segate has a good warranty...

 

[alphanumeric]

There is a limit of 4 partitions per hard drive. You tried to make a 5'TH partition so it probably defaulted to a dynamic disk. I'm not sure if you can get around that limit very easily, it might end up being more trouble than its worth.

 

[hiqbal]

You are right. there are four partitions already. (System, C, HP Tools and Recovery). So i should leave them like they are. Is it a problem if i keep using C for storing data. I have gone through recovery once.. Dont want to repeat it

 

[alphanumeric]

It won't be a problem using C for data, it just means you have to backup your documents, pictures, etc to external media if you ever decide to do a reinstall. How computer savvy are you? I believe there is a tutorial on how to remove that "System Reserved" partition. If you mess it up though, you'll be looking at another restore.

 

[hiqbal]

I would very much like to have a different volume for data. Can you share with me the tutorial?

 

[essenbe]

Another option is to move the user files to an external. Use the external for user files and storage. I works pretty well. I am doing that right now. I had to RMA my MB, so am on my wife's computer. You don't mess up my wife's computer so I did it this way and am having no problems.

 

[hiqbal]

Its not wise of HP keeping these partitions. It slows down if you keep storing data on C: Should I remove reserved system partition and shrink C for another data partition or will it cause problems to windows in some way

 

[alphanumeric]

I would very much like to have a different volume for data. Can you share with me the tutorial?

I took a quick look and all I could find were tutorials for creating it and modifying it for dual boot. It could be that you can't remove it, not easily anyway.

 

[alphanumeric]

Its not wise of HP keeping these partitions. It slows down if you keep storing data on C: Should I remove reserved system partition and shrink C for another data partition or will it cause problems to windows in some way

I don't think the extra partitions are slowing anything down as far as Windows goes. Storing your data on another partition on the same drive won't speed things up any either. The only way you would get a boost would be to store your data on a second hard drive.
If you still want to make a separate data partition you could consider removing the HP recovery partition. Make a recovery disk set before you do it though. Then shrink your C if you want to and create a new D drive with whats left.

 

[hiqbal]

That is what i plan to do now, as i dont want to invest in an external drive now. Thanks

 

[Vincenzo]

My first thought was why not remove the HP Tools partition. I'm unaware of what it contains, did a search, and it seems like it is not a critical component. Maybe someone with experience with it has an opinion.

delete hp tools partition - Bing=

Also, here is on older thread where they removed it.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/41178-too-many-primary-partitions.html
"So after two days of emailing back and forth with multiple HP techs there was little consensus between them as to whether or not I should delete either the recovery or the hp_tools partition, I made my recovery cds and deleted both of the partitions"

Or perhaps the Tools can be copied and placed on your data storage partition??

 

[alphanumeric]

The only glitch to doing that is if you run into problems latter on and have to call HP tech support, they may want you to run some of those diagnostics before giving you any more help. I'm not sure if they would hassle you over it or not. The other glitch is that the recovery partition is between your C partition and that HP tools partition. I don't think you will be able to take space from C and add it to E. Not without creating a dynamic disk. If it was me and I had a full Microsoft install DVD (not recovery media), I'd nuke the whole drive and start over. It would definitely be on my to do list once the warranty was over.

 

[gregrocker]

First you need to delete the partition you created and convert from Dynamic back to Basic. In order to do this you'll need to find Version 4.2 of free Partition Wizard bootable CD as it has been moved to the paid version since then. This is the only known method to convert without data destruction. Back up your files anyway.

Then I would simply use PW to create a Logical partition in the shrink space to use for your data - you can even add as many additional Logical partitions as there are letters remaining. Removing the SysReserved partition might mess with Factory Recovery and will remove the Repair console from F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu.

If you decide you want to make your Recovery Disks then wipe the HD to clean reinstall and reclaim all the disk space without the factory bloatware and useless utilities which have better versions built into Win7, here are some tips for how to get a purrfect clean install: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729