HELP: I might just have screwed my computer

Sorry guys, I'm new here and quite dumb when it comes to matters of the computer. Please forgive me if this is in the wrong part of the forum... I'm in a dangerous (i assume) situation and am really anxious for some expert help at the moment.

So it all started when i wanted to install Windows 8 consumer preview on my computer...

I have only one disk named DISK 0 on my computer. There were 4 partitions in this order - 1) Recovery Partition, 2) System Reserved, 3) C drive named Acer and is where my Windows 7 Home Premium is installed to, 4) an empty D drive which had nothing in it.

I followed the instructions on this site very closely: How to install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview | The Verge till i reached the part where i had created partition 5 (unallocated storage) and was going to create a 'new simple volume' on it. I finished through the wizard and encountered this pop-up message which told me that if i were to make the new simple volume, i would have to change my drive to DYNAMIC. So i pressed yes. Then, to my horror. The 5 drives which were primary and blue coloured became 'Simple Volume' and green coloured with the exception of the recovery partition.

I was a bit shocked because it looked different from the pictures on the tutorial site above so i googled and found out that Windows 8 WILL NOT install on a dynamic drive.. And also, i apparently have to remove all the volumes on my drive to change it back to a basic disk. But, that drive contains my Windows 7 boot and everything. It makes no sense for me to delete everything to change it back to a basic disk. Therefore, i am fretting now over what will happen to my computer, particularly if i STILL CAN BOOT after i turn off my computer...... I have just frantically backed up all my documents and everything just in case i can't boot anymore after i turn off.



Here's a picture showing the current state of the disk... If you noticed, i have only 3 partitions now because i merged the 3) C & 4) D drives together to make some 500 gb when both had 250.

I'll take ANY suggestions or instructions. I just want to revert back to the Basic Disk so i can try installing Windows 8 again. But this time, I will make sure i only have 3 partitions that are primary with 1 that is a logical one to accomodate more external partitions because i googled that on a basic disk, you can only have 4 primary max, so i probably made my mistake when i tried to make the fifth one.

Thanks a lot in advance for your help. If my computer doesn't boot anymore, I'll still be able to check this thread through my phone... THANKS.

Okay guys, I googled more and realised my problem wasn't as tough as it seemed. I downloaded this program 'EASEUS Partition Master 9.1.0 Home Edition' and it did the conversion of my dynamic drive back to basic. So, the problem is solved! I'll try to install Windows 8 the safe way now. However, after the process of conversion, i realised my 1) Recovery Partition became a normal partition named PQSERVICE, which is apparently Acer's Recovery System. Any idea how to change it back to a recovery partition?

You don't need to do anything, it's the name of the Recovery partition and can be left alone without any change.

Yeah but i googled it out that when this situation occurs, you will lose your ALT+F10 recovery option during boot... I'm thinking of not bothering to solve this one since i don't actually know what recovery is or how to use. But if anyone could give me a simple instruction on restoring my recovery partition that'll be awesome. This recovery is similar to the Android Clockwork Mod Recovery is it?

No, you won't loose ALT+F10 function if you want to restore your PC to Factory state.

brummyfan said:

No, you won't loose ALT+F10 function if you want to restore your PC to Factory state.

Click to expand...

Really? Is it because the whole folder is still there? It's just that it's now named as a normal partition instead of a recovery partition.

I have posted a snip of my disk management in Easeus for you to compare, if it looks similar, you need not to bother. My recovery in my external disk.

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:

https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

The recovery partition is important, it's there so that you can restore the computer back to its out-of-box state if need be. If you're going to be messing around with your partitions I'd recommend before you install windows 8 or make any more changes, burn your recovery disks. That way if you corrupt or wipe out your partition you have the disks as a backup.

brummyfan said:

I have posted a snip of my disk management in Easeus for you to compare, if it looks similar, you need not to bother. My recovery in my external disk.View attachment 3878

Click to expand...

It's almost the same... Just that my recovery, computer, data is all on one disk.

theog said:

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

View attachment 3880

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:

https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

Click to expand...

gtwolf said:

The recovery partition is important, it's there so that you can restore the computer back to its out-of-box state if need be. If you're going to be messing around with your partitions I'd recommend before you install windows 8 or make any more changes, burn your recovery disks. That way if you corrupt or wipe out your partition you have the disks as a backup.

Click to expand...

I should have recovery disks... Even if I don't, I'll go make or buy some now. If I have them, then i don't have to bother about a recovery partition, is it? Thanks for your help!

Lastly, I've encountered some problems with Windows 8.
[DEL] 1) My plugged-in webcam has an LED light to show if it is working or not. Apparently when I use WINDOWS 8, it is turned on ALWAYS. A bit bothered to know that... Any reason why or how it is like this? [/DEL]
Solved by downloading drivers. Camera still not working though, will try it after I turn on again tomorrow.

[DEL] 2) I have no idea how to fix my new Windows 8 screen resolution... It is using the normal Windows Display Drivers dated 2006 that provides a resolution of up to 1280 x 800 only... I've tried to install the proper Acer Drivers (Acer P205H) btw, but whenever I scan the folder containing the downloaded drivers, the installation wizard just tells me that I am up to date with my Windows Display Driver. It shows nothing in the folder... What should I do? Should I install drivers for my Nvidia Gefore 315 512mb first? [/DEL]
Solved by downloading drivers

3) Lastly, how do I access my documents in my Windows 7 OS? I have 2 user folders in my Windows 7 partition that are locked when I checked them, meaning they can only be accessed in windows 7 and not my 8, but weirdly, the windows 8 partition isn't locked at all and I can access them in windows 7... How do I allow access into my Windows 7 Folders from Windows 8?