Vista - [XP] BSOD after converting basic disk to dynamic

**CreepinJesus** · 08-08-2008

We just converted our empty D drive to a Dynamic Volume, then the C drive. But, now, we can't boot up. It get's past the Windows XP screen, then we end up with a BSOD:

SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

(STOP: 0x0000006F (0xC000000E, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000))

When we boot up in Recovery mode from the XP installation disc, it says that C:\Windows in an invalid directory! Are we b*ggered or is there a way to fix all this ?

Update: running chkdsk from the recovery mode tells me that the C:\ drive is an invalid path

Update again: I booted up in a Linux system (sorry) from a Live CD, and there're no hard drives showing in the /dev folder! No hda, hdb... I think we're totally boned, no?

**Chappy** · 08-08-2008

Was the C: drive the boot drive?

If so there's your problem, you can't have the OS installed on a Dynamic Volume unless you attach an MBR directly onto that volume.
You also should have received a message when converting that C: drive if it was the boot drive, that this operation is not possible or could cause irreparable damage to your data if you covert it to Dynamic.

All I can y is you can try to convert it back to a Basic Volume by using a 3rd party partitioning or drive mgmt tool, and hope that this wll make it accessible again.

This may also help http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283421

**CreepinJesus** · 08-08-2008

Ok thanks - no sign of a warning though. It just said I'll need to reboot afterwards.

I read that KB article, and it says this:

Quote:

Use the Diskpart Command RETAIN to Create MBR Partition Information

If you have access to a Windows XP graphical user interface (GUI) that is already on the system, you may be able to use the Diskpart retain command to create the MBR partition table information.

The retain command prepares a dynamic simple volume to be used as a boot or system volume by writing the flag that states that the partition is retained in the dynamic disk database and then putting an entry in the MBR partition table for that partition.

On an x86-based computer, the retain command creates an MBR partition entry on the dynamic simple volume with focus. To create an MBR partition, the dynamic simple volume must start at a cylinder aligned offset and be an integral number of cylinders in size.

Does this mean that if I install another XP system onto the D drive (which is blank), I can then create a MBR (using the retain command) for the C drive and boot back into the original system?

**rive0108** · 08-08-2008

Try this:
how to hack your dynamic disc back to a basic disk, which may save your data, but only if your dynamic disk doesn’t span multiple disks.
ITsVISTA Tip 32: Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk in Vista | ITsVISTA

08-08-2008	#1 (permalink)
CreepinJesus Vista Ultimate x64 151 posts	We just converted our empty D drive to a Dynamic Volume, then the C drive. But, now, we can't boot up. It get's past the Windows XP screen, then we end up with a BSOD: SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED (STOP: 0x0000006F (0xC000000E, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)) When we boot up in Recovery mode from the XP installation disc, it says that C:\Windows in an invalid directory! Are we bggered or is there a way to fix all this ? Update:* running chkdsk from the recovery mode tells me that the C:\ drive is an invalid path Update again: I booted up in a Linux system (sorry) from a Live CD, and there're no hard drives showing in the /dev folder! No hda, hdb... I think we're totally boned, no?
My System Specs

08-08-2008	#2 (permalink)
Chappy Vista Ultimate 64bit 357 posts	Re: [XP] BSOD after converting basic disk to dynamic Was the C: drive the boot drive? If so there's your problem, you can't have the OS installed on a Dynamic Volume unless you attach an MBR directly onto that volume. You also should have received a message when converting that C: drive if it was the boot drive, that this operation is not possible or could cause irreparable damage to your data if you covert it to Dynamic. All I can y is you can try to convert it back to a Basic Volume by using a 3rd party partitioning or drive mgmt tool, and hope that this wll make it accessible again. This may also help http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283421
My System Specs

08-08-2008	#3 (permalink)
CreepinJesus Vista Ultimate x64 151 posts	Re: [XP] BSOD after converting basic disk to dynamic Ok thanks - no sign of a warning though. It just said I'll need to reboot afterwards. I read that KB article, and it says this: Quote: Use the Diskpart Command RETAIN to Create MBR Partition Information If you have access to a Windows XP graphical user interface (GUI) that is already on the system, you may be able to use the Diskpart retain command to create the MBR partition table information. The retain command prepares a dynamic simple volume to be used as a boot or system volume by writing the flag that states that the partition is retained in the dynamic disk database and then putting an entry in the MBR partition table for that partition. On an x86-based computer, the retain command creates an MBR partition entry on the dynamic simple volume with focus. To create an MBR partition, the dynamic simple volume must start at a cylinder aligned offset and be an integral number of cylinders in size. Does this mean that if I install another XP system onto the D drive (which is blank), I can then create a MBR (using the retain command) for the C drive and boot back into the original system?
My System Specs

08-08-2008	#4 (permalink)
rive0108 Vista Ultimate X64 SP2 2,073 posts	Re: [XP] BSOD after converting basic disk to dynamic Try this: how to hack your dynamic disc back to a basic disk, which may save your data, but only if your dynamic disk doesn’t span multiple disks. ITsVISTA Tip 32: Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk in Vista \| ITsVISTA
My System Specs

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