Convert basic disks to dynamic on Win2000 server platform

[Nick Dakoronias]

Hello Winodws server forum readers,

Your advise on the following issue will be much appreciated.

We have an external disk storage connected to a Win2000 Server machine.
This Win2000 Server contains 5 (five) basic disk volumes (LUNs).
Based on the need to migrate all data reside on those 5 disk volumes to a
new external disk data storage subsystem,
we are wondering if it is possible to convert the 5 (five) basic disk
volumes to dynamic and then mirror the disk volumes
from the old disk storgage to the new one.
After the completion of mirroring, is it possible to convert the dynamic
disks back to basic?

Looking forward for your advise
Regards, Nick Dakoronias

 

[Bob I]

Based on the following article, no
Dynamic vs. Basic Storage in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/175761/

Have you considered imaging/copying the drives with 3rd party software
or the drive manufacturers utility?

 

[Nick Dakoronias]

Bob,
Thanks for your advise.
I have also found at Win2000 Disk concepts and troubleshooting Technet
artcicle at URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/Windows2000Pro/reskit/part7/proch32.mspx?mfr=true
":: You can upgrade a basic disk to dynamic disk without loss of data.
However, reverting a dynamic disk back to basic disk requires
that you remove all volumes prior to the conversion. If you want to keep
your data, you must back it up or move it to another volume.
Once the volume is reverted back to basic disk, you can create a new
partition using the same drive letter or volume mount point that
was used with the dynamic volume and restore the data..."
Regards, Nick.