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Disk Error Cannot Install Windows

Change A Dynamic Disk Back To A Basic Disk: An Easy Guide

If you are attempting to install Windows operating system in setup through DVD Drive or USB Drive, and it won’t proceed, the first thing to check is if the disk drive is configured as a Dynamic Disk or Basic Disk. If the disk drive where the Windows operating system wants to install is a dynamic disk, you need to convert it to a basic disk to proceed with the installation.

In this article, we will provide you with an easy guide to change a dynamic disk back to a basic disk using the Windows interface.

Back Up Your Data Before Changing The Disk

Before we start with the procedure to change a dynamic disk to a basic disk, it is crucial to back up all volumes on the disk you want to convert from dynamic to basic.

How To Back Up Disk Drive

There are several ways to back up your volumes, including using the Windows built-in backup utility or third-party backup software. You can also copy your data to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer on the network.

Using The Windows Interface to Back Disk

Follow the below steps to change a dynamic disk back to a basic disk using the Windows interface:

  1. Open Computer Management (Local): To open Computer Management, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.
  2. Click Storage: In the console tree, click Computer Management (Local), click Storage, and then click Disk Management.
  3. Delete Volumes: Right-click each volume on the dynamic disk you want to convert to a basic disk, and then click Delete Volume for each volume on the disk.
  4. Convert To Basic Disk: When all volumes on the disk have been deleted, right-click the disk, and then click Convert To Basic Disk.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure on a local computer, you must be a member of the Backup Operators group or Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority.
  • To perform this procedure remotely, you must be a member of the Backup Operators group or Administrators group on the remote computer. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure.
  • If you want to perform this procedure remotely, consider using Run as a security best practice.
  • The disk must not have any volumes nor contain any data before you can change it back to a basic disk. If you want to keep your data, back it up or move it to another volume before you convert the disk to a basic disk.
  • Once you change a dynamic disk back to a basic disk, you can create only partitions and logical drives on that disk.

Using a command line to fix the disk error

  1. Back up all volumes on the disk you want to convert from dynamic to basic.
    For more information about backing up volumes, see Related Topics.
  2. Open Command Prompt.
  3. Type:
    diskpart
  4. At the DISKPART prompt, type:
    list disk
    Make note of the dynamic disk you want to convert to a basic disk.
  5. At the DISKPART prompt, type:
    select diskn
  6. At the DISKPART prompt, type:
    detail diskn
  7. For each volume on the disk, at the DISKPART prompt, type:
    select volume=n
    and then type:
    delete volume
  8. At the DISKPART prompt, type:
    select diskn
    Specify the disk number of the disk that you want to convert to a basic disk.
  9. At the DISKPART prompt, type:
    convert basic

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows7, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc776315(v=ws.10).aspx

Converting a dynamic disk back to a basic disk is an easy process that you can perform using the Windows interface. Before starting the procedure, make sure to back up all volumes on the disk you want to convert. Once you’ve completed the steps, you can install Windows operating system on your disk without any issues.

Tags : Windows 7