Data risks using Dynamic disk?

[Noozer]

Just wondering what pitfalls and risks there are with using the Dynamic Disk
feature of Windows XP?

Does this allow me to combine multiple drives to appear as a single drive to
Windows? If so, doesn't that risk all the data should one of the drives
fail? If there were a failure, is ALL the data lost, etc?

Anything else that would warrant staying away from Dynamic Disk?

I'm really keen on combining a couple drives I have into a larger single
drive without adding extra hardware.

Thx!

 

[Og]

Start | Help and support

In the "Search" bar, type: "dynamic disk"

Click on the link: "Dynamic disks and volumes"

also see:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...0/server/reskit/en-us/prork/prcb_dis_ktjy.asp

steve

 

[Kerry Brown]

Just wondering what pitfalls and risks there are with using the Dynamic
Disk feature of Windows XP?

Does this allow me to combine multiple drives to appear as a single drive
to Windows? If so, doesn't that risk all the data should one of the drives
fail? If there were a failure, is ALL the data lost, etc?

Yes (sort of), yes, yes

Anything else that would warrant staying away from Dynamic Disk?

Some 3rd party disk utlities don't work with dynamic volumes.

I'm really keen on combining a couple drives I have into a larger single
drive without adding extra hardware.

If the volume you want to expand is your boot or system volume that was
created when Windows was installed then it can't be done with dynamic
volumes. Although dynamic volumes can be used for expanding volumes it is
not recommended for permanent use. It is usually used as a temporary measure
on a server until downtime can be scheduled and a larger drive installed.

Kerry