XP: Convert a dynamic disk back to a basic disk without data loss

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wildta

Member
Apr 24, 2001
68
0
0
Background...

I once had a Dell w/ XP Pro. I had a 200gb hard drive from it that I used for just storage (it was not partitioned at all). I ran my operating system and programs from a separate hard drive (40gb hard drive).

I've just built a new XP Pro machine (using parts from my old Dell). I've pulled my one 40gb HD out and reloaded WinXP onto it just fine. I then pulled my 200gb HD so I could start using it as storage again but when installed it, it doesn't show up as a drive -in My Computer but it is definitely online becuase is shows up in Disk Manager.

I went into "Computer Manager / Disk Manager" and it says my 200gb drive is identified as Dynamic and Foreign. I've tried to import the drive but it says I can not "Import Foreign Disk" on Windows XP system. I've tried different jumper pin settings and none of them have allowed me to import it. I do have the options to Convert it to Basic, but if I do I will lose all my data.

-I am definitely running XP Pro.
-These are IDE HD's.
-I did not run RAID nor did I have partitions on my 200gd HD.

Does anyone have an idea of what I should try next so that I don't lose any of my data?

Thanks in advance!
 
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wildta

Member
Apr 24, 2001
68
0
0
I was able to finallly find a solution that worked:

http://faq.arstechnica.com/link.php?i=1806

Right after I did the steps I tried to run chkdsk, but of course I couldn't because my drive still wasn't showing up. But after a quick restart my drive showed up in My Computer and all of my files were intact!!! So now I just have to run chkdsk on it.

Yay!!! Thanks for all your help everyone!
 
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montag451

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2004
4,587
0
0
ha, like the sarcasm.

Cheers for posting back though.
I could've posted some guesses on how to fix it, but, it is your data at stake and I didn't know about this sw.
Great find.
Well done.

Maybe next time we'll be able to help you. ;-)
 
D

dclive

Elite Member
Oct 23, 2003
5,626
2
81
Originally posted by: wildta
I was able to finallly find a solution that worked:

http://faq.arstechnica.com/link.php?i=1806

Right after I did the steps I tried to run chkdsk, but of course I couldn't because my drive still wasn't showing up. But after a quick restart my drive showed up in My Computer and all of my files were intact!!! So now I just have to run chkdsk on it.

Yay!!! Thanks for all your help everyone!
Click to expand...

This will work - IF you haven't changed any partitions, resized *anything*, added any partitions, or changed *anything* since you converted from dynamic to basic. If the disk 'started life' as a dynamic disk, it won't work, either.

The scenario in which this works: You have a basic disk. For some reason (why do people do this?) you convert it to dynamic. You don't make any changes. In that scenario, switching the '42's to '07's works great, and is a wonderful fix.

The reason is that the partition table is created when the disk is a basic disk, and that's the 07 and 42 you're changing - and if the partitions haven't changed (say, adding one or removing or resizing one) you'll be able to (fairly safely) switch from dynamic to basic.
 
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eefwenny

Junior Member
Nov 19, 2005
3
0
0
Great thanks for wildta! The problem comes to me now because I was just the people that Dclive mentioned. I just don't know why Win2K did not let me to confirm before applying everything. :(
Dclive: Would you confirm if *change anything* refers to writing into the disk as saving files? I will try this if your answer is 'No'. :)
Moreover, my server has a mirroring RAID, does the address 01C0/01D0 work?
Do help me! Thanks!
 
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dclive

Elite Member
Oct 23, 2003
5,626
2
81
Originally posted by: eefwenny
Great thanks for wildta! The problem comes to me now because I was just the people that Dclive mentioned. I just don't know why Win2K did not let me to confirm before applying everything. :(
Dclive: Would you confirm if *change anything* refers to writing into the disk as saving files? I will try this if your answer is 'No'. :)
Moreover, my server has a mirroring RAID, does the address 01C0/01D0 work?
Do help me! Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm talking only about changing partition information and the partitions on the disk. Write files to your heart's content.
 
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eefwenny

Junior Member
Nov 19, 2005
3
0
0
Dclive: Thanks for your prompt clarification! I think I could work out the address list by refering to the other servers with the same configuration for hd that have not been converted to dynamic disks.
Feeling a little crazy to do that on the AD server, but it seems no other choices for me now.
 
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eefwenny

Junior Member
Nov 19, 2005
3
0
0
dclive:
Actually I have tested with simulating the same configuration on another server. The result was negative.
Before I converted it to dynamic disk, I use the DSKPROBE to view the sector 0 and found the first partition was NFTS(07), another was an extend partition(0F), and both the 01E0 and 01F0 were 00.
After converted, the only change was that 01C0 turned to 42.
And then I overwrote it back to 07 and then save, restart, CHKDSK /F, restart again, and found the two logical volumns in the original extend partitions disappeared! Only the C: remained in my computer. And the disk management shew that the disk was still a dynamic disk but with 'unreadable' under it. All logical volumes including the first master partition (C:) were invisible.
I have tried to right click the 'disk 0' and the option 'demote to basic disk' was enabled. but then nothing happened after I clicked and restarted.
It was strange that the files in C: were all safe and successful to boot up the system.
Later I tried to roll back the MBR where has been changed from 07 to 42 then restart, but the system halt with a blue screen while starting up. Even the safe mode option could not pass. I know that's the end.
I will be in big troube if I tried this on the AD server.
Was there any fault on me? My Win2k server was SP4. Thanks!
 
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dclive

Elite Member
Oct 23, 2003
5,626
2
81
Looks like you're doing the right things; I'd have to set up a repro to confirm. I was under the impression changing the 42s to 07s would resolve this, and I'm a bit confused on why there is an issue. Let me get back to you on this.
 
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Slowlearner

Senior member
Mar 20, 2000
873
0
0
Tried this out on my backup server, where I had mistakenly (I dont know when or at what stage) converted one of the data disks to dynamic. As it had no partitions, this fix worked like a charm. I did have to install Win 2000 tools from a Win 2000 CD, the backup server is running W2000 server. Thanks OP.
 
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maznos

Junior Member
Dec 2, 2005
1
0
0
i have tried it and it works perfect for only a single partition drives and what is else is lost
so i think you have to make backup of your other drives and then restore them back to thier places
 
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Greg75

Junior Member
Dec 13, 2005
3
0
0
Hi Guys,

I almost have the same problem as Wildta. Despite the fact that my new Samsung 250GB HDD started its life as a 'Dynamic Disk', then three days later it just simply disppeared from 'My Computer' and it is off-line from 'Disk Management'. So now, unfortunately I don't have any access for all my data files. :(

It has only one partition and tested with Hutil running under DOS it says the following:
Partition Format Type: unknown (42) and
Test Loop: ECC error, C:105450 H:2 S:693.

I don't know what to do next to recover my files. Shall I try DSKPROBE? Please do help me!!!

Thnx,
Greg

Originally posted by: wildta
Background...

I once had a Dell w/ XP Pro. I had a 200gb hard drive from it that I used for just storage (it was not partitioned at all). I ran my operating system and programs from a separate hard drive (40gb hard drive).

I've just built a new XP Pro machine (using parts from my old Dell). I've pulled my one 40gb HD out and reloaded WinXP onto it just fine. I then pulled my 200gb HD so I could start using it as storage again but when installed it, it doesn't show up as a drive -in My Computer but it is definitely online becuase is shows up in Disk Manager.

I went into "Computer Manager / Disk Manager" and it says my 200gb drive is identified as Dynamic and Foreign. I've tried to import the drive but it says I can not "Import Foreign Disk" on Windows XP system. I've tried different jumper pin settings and none of them have allowed me to import it. I do have the options to Convert it to Basic, but if I do I will lose all my data.

-I am definitely running XP Pro.
-These are IDE HD's.
-I did not run RAID nor did I have partitions on my 200gd HD.

Does anyone have an idea of what I should try next so that I don't lose any of my data?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

 
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montag451

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2004
4,587
0
0
AHA - have the poifect solution for you, but you will need a good partition recovery yoot - I used Acronis Disk Director.

Go into Disk Management and change the offending drive from Dynamic Disk to Basic.
DON'T ALLOW IT TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.

Open up your fave partition recovery yoot.
Tell it to look at the new Basic drive.
Hey presto, the drive is back to a normal basic drive, with all the data still on it.

F%%%ing great or what.
 
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Greg75

Junior Member
Dec 13, 2005
3
0
0
Hi all,

Thanks for the prompt tip. Would it be possible to get back all of my files, because Windows Help says all my files are going to be lost if converted? What should I exactly do with Acronis Disk Director?

Thnx,
Greg

Originally posted by: montag451
AHA - have the poifect solution for you, but you will need a good partition recovery yoot - I used Acronis Disk Director.

Go into Disk Management and change the offending drive from Dynamic Disk to Basic.
DON'T ALLOW IT TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.

Open up your fave partition recovery yoot.
Tell it to look at the new Basic drive.
Hey presto, the drive is back to a normal basic drive, with all the data still on it.

F%%%ing great or what.
Click to expand...

 
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