Converting From Dynamic To =
Basic
Disks
Windows Server 2003 supports both basic and dynamic disks (as does Windo=
ws
2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional). You can use the Disk Manage=
ment
console to convert a basic disk to dynamic. Before you attempt to make the
conversion you need to keep the following points in mind:
- There must be a minimum o=
f 1
MB of free disk space on the master boot record disk you want to conve=
rt.
- Local access to a dynamic
disk in limited to Windows 2000 and later.
- Any partitions on an exis=
ting
basic disk are converted to simple volumes.
- You can not revert back t=
o a
basic disk without repartitioning.
- Windows XP Home Edition d=
oes
not support dynamic disks.
- Portable computer do not
support dynamic disks.
You can convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk by completing the steps
below:
- Click Start and click Run=
.
- Type mmc
and click OK.
- Click Add/Remove Snap-in =
from
the File menu.
- Click Add. Select Disk
Management, click Add then Finish, and click Close.
- Click OK.
- Click Disk Management (Lo=
cal)
in the left pane.
- In the right pane,
right-click the disk you want to convert and click Convert to Dynamic
Disk.
- Click the check box beside
the disk you want to convert and click OK.
- Click Convert.
- When prompted, click Yes and click OK.
Unfortunately converting back to a basic disk is not as simple but you n=
eed
know the general process that has to be completed. Since the disk has to be
repartitioned, your very first step will be to back up all data on the volu=
mes
then proceed with the steps below.
- Click Start and click Run=
.
- Type mmc
and click OK.
- Click Add/Remove Snap-in =
from
the File menu.
- Click Add. Select Disk
Management, click Add then Finish, and click Close.
- Click OK.
- Click Disk Management (Lo=
cal)
in the left pane.
- Right click a volume on t=
he
dynamic disk and click Delete Volume.
- Click Yes.
- Repeat steps 7 and 8 for =
each
volume on the disk.
- Right click the dynamic d=
isk
and click Convert to Basic.
Note: Windows XP Home Editions does not support dynamic disks. If the
computer is dual booted and contains a dynamic disk, the status of that disk
may be marked as foreign under XP Home.