BleepingComputer.com: Boot Failure After Converting To Dynamic Disks

Ok here's my story,

I was attempting to convert my basic disks to dynamic disks to consolidate space, and tc create several logical volumes across 2 Physical HDs.

The conversion went fine and I was able to configure my volumes as I wanted. When I went to restart, BLAMO Boot failure and I was thrown into a BASH prompt. WTF!?!?!?

I am using a modded version of Vista Ultimate 32 bit. 2 500 gb WD hard disks partitioned in to 3 volumes across both discs. These are not spanned stripped, mirrored, or RAID-5. I realize in hindsight that I should have left things alone, but now I have to recover as much data as possible.

I have already tried to reinstall windows and at first it looked like it worked until restart and I was thrown back into the same BASH prompt. This is driving me crazy. With the reinstall I've lost a serious amount of data (about 200gb) most of that was not as important as whats still there.

How can I get the computer to a bootable state without wiping an entire Disk? Any help is appreciated..

Just a couple of guesses on my part:

Try Startup Repair ( http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/ )

Try a boot disk (such as a Live Linux distribution or the Ultimate Boot CD) to see if you can read the volumes.

This post has been edited by usasma: 05 September 2008 - 05:51 PM

Yea, I went to try system repair but it appears that that was one of the options taken out of the modded OS. From what I can gather the bash promp was what replaced it. I guess I'm about to get a crash course in advanced linux console commands.

I tried a utility called TestDisk and it can read the partitions but even some of that programs gurus are finding my scan results strange. I'm DLing KNOPPIX right now which is a linux live recovery cd.

This is truly a disaster and I'll make sure to document the process. Leave it to a certified tech to totally brick a streamlined system with 3 clicks.

If any of you guys are familiar with BASH or Linux recovery I would seriously appreciate any guidance you may have to offer.

I learned about computers by breaking them
And was lucky to have techs who'd explain what they did to fix it.
It sounds like you've got a good plan - post back with any quirks and we'll see what we can figure out.
Good luck!

Hi

Have you tried BartPE?
It's a Windows based boot disk (not Linux) and the disk tool is very similar to Windows Explorer.
Follow this link for further details. http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
The program required to make the BartPE boot disk is available as a free download. However, you will also need a genuine copy of Windows XP SP2 or above. If your version of Windows is below this, there is an article on how to construct a bootdisk for the early versions of XP.
I think this is a must have tool and would recommend it to everyone.

SLIX, on Sep 6 2008, 07:36 AM, said:

I love BartPE!!! unfortunately I'm running Vista and BartPE doesn't play nice.

What I've accomplished so far is Rewriting The partition table, re-building the MBR, and actually converting Disk 0 back to a basic disk with no data loss (testdisk worked a miracle, microsoft said it couldn't be done) Now I have a 50 gb bootable partition that I can re-install the OS on. If thaT fails im just going to put a new HD in the system and install the OS on that.