Simple Dynamic Volume

[mturus]

Hi,

I have hard disk with 300 GB. I partitioned as 10 GB C drive (simple dynamic
volume), and 290 GB G drive (simple dynamic volume). My C volume is not
enough now as I install the applications and programs.

Is there any way I can take some space from G drive and add it to C? If so,
can you kindly let me know please?

Thanks.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi,

I have hard disk with 300 GB. I partitioned as 10 GB C drive (simple dynamic
volume), and 290 GB G drive (simple dynamic volume). My C volume is not
enough now as I install the applications and programs.

Is there any way I can take some space from G drive and add it to C? If so,
can you kindly let me know please?

Unfortunately, no version of Windows before Vista provides any way of
changing the existing partition structure of the drive
nondestructively. The only way to do what you want is with third-party
software. Partition Magic is the best-known such program, but there
are freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial, so you
should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I haven't used
it myself (because I've never needed to use *any* such program), but
it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs here.

Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things
*can* go wrong.

 

[John John (MVP)]

You cannot extend a dynamic volume if it is the System or Boot volume.
If you had not created new volumes after you converted the disk you
could have reverted the disk to basic with disk editing tools but being
that you created additional volumes you're pretty well screwed with
this! There might be third party partitioning tools that can handle
dynamic disks but they will probably be server type editions and they
won't be cheap!

John

 

[Bill in Co.]

Why would someone have done this in the first place? (using a dynamic
volume)

 

[John John (MVP)]

Most of the time because there is a misconception of dynamic disks or a
misunderstanding of fundamental concepts associated to dynamic disks.

Dynamic disks are more reliable and recoverable than basic disks. The
ability to span volumes on multiple disks (up to 32 disks) and the
ability to manage volumes without restating the computer makes them very
useful in server environments. On home machines and workstations when
they are used for the System or Boot volume they are usually more of a
headache than anything useful. Many users are also unaware that volumes
created on basic disks cannot be extended after the disk is upgraded to
dynamic, this limitation means that there is little advantage in
converting basic disks to dynamic, that is especially true of the
System/Boot volumes.

Best practices for using dynamic disks on Windows 2000-based computers
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329707/en-us

Restrictions on Extending or Spanning Simple Volumes on Dynamic Disks
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/225551/en-us

John