How to convert a bootable Dynamic (Invalid) Disks into Basic Disk without Loss of Data

Using TestDisk to repair the filesystem
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FrancoisS
Posts: 2
Joined: 01 May 2023, 19:33

How to convert a bootable Dynamic (Invalid) Disks into Basic Disk without Loss of Data

#1 Post by FrancoisS »

Hello

I need help with your TestDisk software please?
I read nearly everything on your wiki and the PDF guide. I also watched several YT videos on the topic.
From this info I suspect that TestDisk can do what I need but I am still not sure how / where to get the feature / command I am looking for.

My problem is the following:
  • I am upgrading my laptop main D drive.
  • The old drive is a 500GB M.2 SSD. This drive + Windows 11 & my software works perfect but it is too small.
  • The new drive is a 1TB M.2 SSD. I installed Windows 11 & are setting up my software again.
  • When I put the old 500GB drive into the USB-Type C enclosure, the Disk Manager shows the disk is a Dynamic Disk and the status is "Invalid".
  • So I can not read the drive in Windows to access some software configuration backups and my project files.

Here is the report from CMD - Diskpart for your reference
i7-ASUS Old 500GB Main C Drive
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22621.1635]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>diskpart

Microsoft DiskPart version 10.0.22621.1

Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: I7-ASUS

DISKPART> list disk

Disk______###_____Status___Size______Free______Dyn Gpt
--------____------____-------___-------____-------_____--- ---
Disk______0_______Online___1863 GB__1024 KB
Disk______1_______Online___931 GB___1024 KB________*
Disk______2_______Online___931 GB___1024 KB________*
Disk______3_______Online___1863 GB__0 B____________*
Disk______4_______Invalid___465 GB___0 B_________*__*
Disk______5_______Online___1863 GB__0 B

DISKPART> select disk 4

Disk 4 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> list volume

Volume_###___Ltr______Label_________Fs_____Type_______Size_______Status____Info
----------______---______-----------______-----____----------____-------_____---------___--------
Volume__0____D_______D-2TB_VR DA__NTFS____Partition___1863 GB___Healthy
Volume__1____C_______MAIN_________NTFS____Partition___930 GB____Healthy___Boot
Volume__2_________________________FAT32___Partition___100 MB_____Healthy___System
Volume__3_________________________NTFS____Partition___625 MB_____Healthy___Hidden
Volume__4____F_______N-1TB_DATA___NTFS____Partition___930 GB_____Healthy
Volume__5____________Recovery_____NTFS____Partition___300 MB_____Healthy___Hidden
Volume__6_________________________FAT32___Partition____99 MB_____Healthy___Hidden
Volume__7_________________________NTFS____Partition___450 MB_____Healthy___Hidden
Volume__8____E______E-2TB_TOSHI___NTFS____Partition___1863 GB____Healthy

DISKPART>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I am trying to gradually switch over to the new drive but it takes a lot of time to set up all my software.
So I am starting on the new drive with the immediate needed software, but do need to switch back to the old drive during this process to keep project work up to date.

How can I convert "Disk 4" from a Dynamic (Invalid) Disks into a Basic Disk without Loss of Data and (important) keep it as a bootable drive in case I need to coot it up again to access certain software?

I hope this makes sense and that someone can guide me.

Regards
Francois

recuperation
Posts: 2441
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: How to convert a bootable Dynamic (Invalid) Disks into Basic Disk without Loss of Data

#2 Post by recuperation »

https://www.hdat2.com/download.html

Check the PDF instructions under "others".

FrancoisS
Posts: 2
Joined: 01 May 2023, 19:33

Re: How to convert a bootable Dynamic (Invalid) Disks into Basic Disk without Loss of Data

#3 Post by FrancoisS »

recuperation wrote: 02 May 2023, 11:32 https://www.hdat2.com/download.html

Check the PDF instructions under "others".
Hi @recuperation I went through the PDF many times now and only find the word "others" 3 times (page 3, 32 & 40) in the whole document. And none of these sections are related to my question.
1. Is it possible to fix the issue I describe?
2. If yes, where can I find the instructions on how to do it and what features / commands to use?

Can you help me with that?

recuperation
Posts: 2441
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: How to convert a bootable Dynamic (Invalid) Disks into Basic Disk without Loss of Data

#4 Post by recuperation »

There are different PDF files to download and each one has a short description.

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