Convert to dynamic disk...

[b0red]

I want to convert my scsi drive to dynamic disk. Do I need to move all my files in my drive?

Any tips?

Thanks.

 

[Nothinman]

You should be able to go to a dynamic disk without loss of data, but you can't go back.

Dynamic disks are ugly and should generally be avoided.

 

[AndyHui]

Is there any particular reason why you want to convert to Dynamic Disk?

Unless you are absolutely sure that you need its features, I highly recommend NOT converting to Dynamic.

 

[stash]

You should be able to go to a dynamic disk without loss of data, but you can't go back.

This is not entirely accurate...you can convert to dynamic disks without losing data. You can also revert back to basic disks but you have to back up your data. This is because to revert back to basic disks, you have to delete any exisiting volumes on the dynamic disk you want to get rid of. So you could move the data to a different partition (provided its not part of the dynamic disk(s) you want to revert), delete the volume(s), revert, then create a new partition, copy the data back.

That being said , I would highly recommend staying away from dynamic disks. Their performance is typically not very good (even on SCSI), especially when compared to a dedicated RAID card, even an IDE RAID controller.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: STaSh

You should be able to go to a dynamic disk without loss of data, but you can't go back.

This is not entirely accurate...you can convert to dynamic disks without losing data. You can also revert back to basic disks but you have to back up your data. This is because to revert back to basic disks, you have to delete any exisiting volumes on the dynamic disk you want to get rid of. So you could move the data to a different partition (provided its not part of the dynamic disk(s) you want to revert), delete the volume(s), revert, then create a new partition, copy the data back.

That being said , I would highly recommend staying away from dynamic disks. Their performance is typically not very good (even on SCSI), especially when compared to a dedicated RAID card, even an IDE RAID controller.

Even this is not entirely accurate.

If the disk is "rooted," that is, the basic partitions existed before you went dynamic, it can be reverted to basic without losing data.

That being said, I would highly recommend staying away from dynamic disks. Corrupt LDM databases are a royal pain in the ass.

 

[stash]

If the disk is "rooted," that is, the basic partitions existed before you went dynamic, it can be reverted to basic without losing data.

I don't know what that means...

Here are some links from MS that say that ALL volumes must be removed from dynamic disk before they can be reverted:
msdn
windows documentation

and a third party...
win2k mag

 

[b0red]

Their performance is typically not very good (even on SCSI), especially when compared to a dedicated RAID card, even an IDE RAID controller.

hmm, really...guess I'll stick with basic disk then.

i kept readin how scsi performance isn't as good in winxp than winnt. ...and changin to dynamic disk will gain some performance back.

o wellers...thanks u guys...hoho~

 

[NOX]

Yes, stick with basic if you don't need a Dynamic volume.

I've used Dynamic Disk before, on my partitioned drives and yes you can convert to dynamic w/o data loss. However from what I've seen and experienced, you cannot convert back w/o losing your data. I know someone who did convert back on his main drive (C:\) and the rest was history.