Solved Can't install another operating system on the partition

kareematef

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I already have windows 8.1 installed in c: partition
I have created new partition ''New Volume :" to install windows server 2008 on it
,but when I try to boot from the CD to install it
this message appear

"
Windows cannot be installed to this Hard disk space . The partition contain one or more volumes that are not supported for installation "
this screenshot of my disk management


Untitled.jpg


I hope some one help me ...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
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Windows cannot be installed to this Hard disk space . The partition contain one or more volumes that are not supported for installation "


From the snapshot you posted, it is clear that your hard drive is a "Dynamic" one. Windows Vista , 7 and Server 2008 won't support installing to "Dynamic" disk.

You cannot select or format a hard disk partition when you try to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2

This problem may occur for one of the following reasons:
  • Windows is incompatible with a mass storage controller or a mass storage driver.
  • A mass storage controller or a mass storage driver is outdated.
  • The hard disk on which you want to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 is a dynamic disk.
  • A data cable in the computer is loose, or another hardware issue has occurred.
  • The hard disk or the Windows file system is damaged.
  • You tried to select a FAT32 partition or another type of partition that is incompatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.


Unfortunately, there is no safe way to convert a dynamic disk with more than four partitions to "Basic Disk". The process is too risky and may cause data loss.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Unfortunately, there is no safe way to convert a dynamic disk with more than four partitions to "Basic Disk". The process is too risky and may cause data loss.

I know that if I do this convert with windows management tool I will remove data
but there is a third party programs that can do this without effect on data
I want the help from anyone who try this process before
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
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    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M
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Your HHD needs to have PRIMARY Partitions, but you can only have three PRIMARY Partitions, best to reinstall to suit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I know that if I do this convert with windows management tool I will remove data
but there is a third party programs that can do this without effect on data
I want the help from anyone who try this process before

I have done this before successfully and i have experience with most of the partitioning tools ( both free and paid ) available in the market. Almost all paid partitioning tools and some free tools support converting "Dynamic" to "Basic" but none of them support more than four partitions. The reason is the complexity of MBR based partitioning scheme.

The only tool which can convert a Dynamic disk with more than four partition without data loss is "Paragon HDM Pro" and higher versions. But it will cost around 80$.

But since the new partition you created is empty, i would recommend deleting it and then you will be able to use freeware tools. You should also backup all data to an external medium before proceeding ( there is always a risk involved ). Once you successfully completed the backup, let me know and i will provide you step by step instructions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
@anshad .. thanks so much for your help
I will do what you told me
but I will wait some time until I buy anew external hard for data backup
but your device about delete the free space partition ,is so good
I will do this
but can you complete my steps :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro
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Hi

Our first goal is to safely convert "Dynamic" HDD to "Basic" MBR disk. To do that, please follow the below steps.

1. Backup all data to an external medium as a safety precaution. Usually i would suggest a full disk backup but none of the free tools support creating image of "Dynamic" disks.

2. You should have Windows installation CD in hand. We may need to run "Startup repair" or issue some commands from the recovery console. If you don't have one, create a "Recovery Drive" as per the below instructions.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Test the "Recovery Drive" and make sure it is bootable and functional before we actually need it.

3. Delete the newly created partition to reduce the number of partitions to four.

4. We are going to use "Partition Wizard Free 4.2" bootable ISO to convert the "Dynamic" disk to "Basic". Newer versions of "Partition Wizard Free" don't have this function. You can download version 4.2 ISO image from the below link.

Download Partition Wizard Bootable CD

5. Now boot from the CD and follow instructions from the below tutorial to do the conversion.

Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk - Windows 7 Help Forums

Although it is possible to use the Windows version of "Partition Wizard", it is always safe to do partitioning tasks outside of Windows.

6. After the conversion finished successfully, try to boot Windows. The conversion process may change the volume GUID and as a result Windows may fails to boot ( BCD may still point to the old GUID ). If Windows fails to start, don't be panic. Boot from either installation CD or "Recovery Drive" and run the "Automatic Repair". At 99% time, auto repair will fix BCD without issues.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2843-automatic-repair-run-windows-8-a.html

7. If everything worked as planned, post the "Disk Management" screenshot with next reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS :D :D

if I said thanks until tomorrow it will not be enough :)

I appreciate your efforts for helping me .

,and I'm sorry for my late reply ,until I borrow external hard for backup

this screenshot of my disk management after I do your steps

but I still have two questions ...

I do two partitions primary , and the others are logical

what's the differnt between the two types and which is the best ?

Can I do all partitions Primary ?



http://imageshack.com/a/img839/9177/s1k3.jpg
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro
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    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M
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Hi

Glad to know that you managed to successfully converted the disk back to "Basic". I only gave you proper instructions, you did it yourself. Good job :thumbsup: .


what's the differnt between the two types and which is the best ?


Can I do all partitions Primary ?

In short words, a "Primary Partition" is the normal partition which is defined in the "Partition table". A "Logical Partition" is a partition which resides inside a container partition called "Extended partition". For example, partition table of your hard drive ( resides in first sector, inside MBR ) will have only three partition entries although there are actually four partitions. The first entry is for first partition which is "C:" , second is for "D:" and the third entry is for the "Extended Partition" which is the big partition with green borders. Inside the "Extended Partition" , there will be another partition table which will contains entries for "E:" and "F:" drives.

A "Primary" partition can be marked as "Active/Bootable" in "Partition Table" but we can't mark a "Logical" partiton as "Active" ( Because the partition table in MBR don't have an entry for it ). Other than that there is no difference between "Primary" and "Logical" partitions. In fact a MBR disk only requires a single "Primary" partition - every other drive can be "logical".

If you want, you can convert a "Logical" partition to "Primary" using "Partition Wizard" but it won't make any difference in system performance.

What are partitions and logical drives?

IC486495.png
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
thanks for explanation @anshad .. I got it :thumb:

the problem had solved :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    kaspersky
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