#10: I installed the program on an IBM eServer xSeries 232 running XP Pro. AOMEI detected three 'simple' dynamic hot-swap drives. User help says to simply right-click the disk to be converted to a basic drive, and then select the "Convert to Basic Disk" option. Problem is, there was no such option listed. Hmmm.

I love the comments of Giovani, they are interesting to read. I personally have done away with partitions on my desktop computer, no point anymore, and I have both basic, and dynamics running in my system.

C:240GB solid state Corsair GT
D:Games 2x128GB striped solid state Crucial M4 256GB total
E:Downloads 1TB WD caviar black
F:Documents and Music 2x1TB caviar green (mirrored)
M:Movies 2x2TB caviar green (mirrored)
J:Image 500GB caviar blue image drive for C/D drives

So software like this would be something I am interested in trying out. Even though I have GAOTD versions of easeus and partition wizard. Both programs have worked in certain situation, and failed at others, but between those two, I have done pretty much everything that I wanted. Maybe this software bridges the gaps, that the others have created.

I'd like to see the GUI readable at different screen resolutions. It is most annoying to have to adjust the DPI to 96 pixels to be able to view all parts of the GUI. The developer needs to consider those whose vision is strained at the 'smallest' type. (My suggestion didn't go through above "Share Your Ideas section, despite repeated tries.)

Giovanni and Ashraf,(conpicuous by your absence today), your advice and recommendations are always appreciated, and I find both your inputs complimentary rather than conflicting or redundant. Many thanks and if time permits - please keep up the good work.

On launch an error message pops up that system configuration change has been detected. Reboot is required to fix.
After rebooting the same message pops up. This happens every time I launch the program.

Win7 home premium 64 bit

Converting between dynamic and basic is a function generally only needed by people working on servers.

E.G. Software RAID generally always uses dynamic partitioning. In my data recovery business I often have to recover data from dynamic disks that were once part of a corrupted RAID array. The disks with the recovered data then usually needs to be converted back to dynamic so the array can be rebuilt.

That’s why most software for this is expensive (mostly only used in servers).


Data Medics Data Recovery in CT & RI

Converting between dynamic and basic is a function generally only needed by people working on servers.

E.G. Software RAID generally always uses dynamic partitioning. In my data recovery business I often have to recover data from dynamic disks that were once part of a corrupted RAID array. The disks with the recovered data then usually needs to be converted back to dynamic so the array can be rebuilt.

That's why most software for this is expensive (mostly only used in servers).

Data Medics Data Recovery in Connecticut and Rhode Island

I just want to add to the cacophony of praise for Giovanni. You are the greatest!

I like ashraf a lot too!

#16: "This is software like a loaded gun being given to toddlers."

:) Just FWIW... playing around, experimenting, is one [very effective] way we learn. As long as you can put things back the way they were, not a terribly big deal. As long as you can restore a full disk image backup [including the 1st disk track with the MBR], it's one of very few cases where you can in effect put the bullet back in the gun. :)

#12: "Do you know if this will create a HDD bootable backup, or of another program that will? I have been trying to back-up my system to an external hard drive that is bootable with win 7. No luck so far."

If I correctly understand your question, Felix, you want to be able to boot & run win7 on an external drive. If that's correct, then either 1) the external drive can't be connected via USB, or 2) Windows on the external drive has to be modded to work via USB. If the drive's connected via eSATA rather than USB, you can add win7 fresh or copy/clone your existing win7 drive -- it should work like any other installed hard drive, though you'll have to tell the PC/laptop to look there 1st for the boot info, normally either in the bios or using a boot device menu that can be called up using a hot key or hot key combo on some systems when the system's 1st starting [the bios has a list of devices to check in order, & as soon as it finds that boot info it'll start the PC/laptop OS]. As for modding win7 to boot & work from a USB device, you can find the info, tools etc. at sites like reboot.pro.

* * *

#15: "Maybe stuff like BartPE might help to make the drive bootable?"

BartPE, or LiveXP or WinPE etc. are alternatives to full version Windows, so they wouldn't be able to offer any assist -- they just run on their own. It is possible OTOH to convert a copy of your running Windows install to a VM [Virtual Machine], or install Windows fresh to a VM, then using Portable-VirtualBox run that VM after booting to BartPE, LiveXP, WinPE etc., so they can assist in that way.

I do like the fact that it is able to cope with RAID and there is also a bootable CD Wizard. Nice software!!!

@Shawn, #1 "..before doing any changes to your pc do backups "

>>On the left side on top of the programscreen, there is an option to get you some free backup software from AOMEI "AOMEI Backupper 1.1" http://www.aomeitech.com/download.html

***********************
@Andreas, #10 "can this software convert Dynamic to Basic disks WITHOUT the need of reformat, so without losing data?"

>>Well it reads from the included helpfile:"Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager could also help you convert dynamic disk to basic disk without losing any data."

***********************
@Felix, #12 "a HDD bootable backup, or of another program that will?"

You might try this, its free, bootable and also from AOMEI: http://www.aomeitech.com/download-iso.html

***********************

You might even reinstall later when you buy a new computer and use thee trial-Pro-version for that because it will accept the key provided by Gaotd (they are not exactly the same though).

(i installed & ran sandboxed to check out the GUI & features. i did not actually affect any changes.)

XP SP3
v1.1

has multiple OS support (x86/x64) & then
also does need some (driver) files in system32

other then the driver files ~2.5MB, installs
into directory of your choice ~53MB

includes help. html from within the program
& also a separate PDF file. it is going to
be worth a read.

typical (for partition type programs) it
has a clean layout

contrary to what 'compare_editions' says,
it does seemsthat it can do stuff like resize
& create Basic partitions

YES it DOES. seems that in addition to
the Dyamic version of the program it does
it also install version 5.1 Pro of the Basic
disk manager. (there is but one uninstall
in Add or Remove Programs).
http://www.extend-partition.com/compare-edition.html

you can change the theme of the Basic disk
part of the program (can help to disting-
uish between the two, i suppose)


it does not auto-resize column widths. why
not! the partition column does not resize
correctly. (not a big deal, but it should
do both.)


so it looks clean. be aware of what Dynamic
is, how it works, & why you may or may not
want to use Dynamic. if you work with that
understanding, don't see why anyone should
have a problem with this.

I don't usually post here, but I do read your comments EVERY day Giovanni. If you give it thumbs down, it does not go on my system. One of your freebies does if I need that particular tool. Just posting today so that you know we appreciate your comments and keep it up.

I used AOMEI Partition Assistant Home Edition 5.1.2 after duplicating an old SATA drive onto an SSD. Handled SSD TRIM and overpartioning very nicely and I'm going to give this giveaway a shot.

The software also contains a partition software: AOMEI Partition Assistant, used to manage basic disks, it is very easy. I see this partition software can be downloaded at http://www.disk-partition.com/free-partition-manager.html, I used it and worked fine.

it can do the following partition operations:
Resize/Move Partition
Merge Partitions
Split Partition
Create/Delete/Format Partition
Copy Disk/Partition
Wipe Disk/Partition
Recover Partition
Migrate OS to SSD
Rebuild MBR
Extend Partition Wizard
etc.

This is my suggestion: dynamic disk, also known as software RAID, and generally do not convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk, because operating system can not be installed on a dynamic disk.

This is software like a loaded gun being given to toddlers.

Unless users are tech savvy and know what they are doing, one can mess up the PC.

And for what? Balance the potential gains against the risks. How often do you need this? Maybe most people can live without this.

@Giovanni: I agree with Edmiester... maybe you should consider building your own website... something like 'Giovanni's Great Giveaway Tips'.

I have many times saved the information you post here on GAOTD... thank you so many times. (^_^)

Felix,this program may be - AOMEI Data Backuper http://www.aomeitech.com/aomei-data-backuper.html

Giovanni,Do you know if this will create a HDD bootable backup, or of another program that will? I have been trying to back-up my system to an external hard drive that is bootable with win 7. No luck so far.

It can make sence to erace parts of the Hard-Drive that you don't need to get space for other things that would be a good for a better responce of the system. It would be like getting a bigger Hard-Drive for small price for $39. Thank

All needed actions need to be done on Basic/Dynamic disks are already available through system Disk Management, so it's not really a necessary software.

But there is one feature that may be very interesting:
It says that it can convertDynamic disks back to Basic disks. So, I wonder, can this software convert Dynamic to Basic disks WITHOUT the need of reformat, so without losing data? Does anybody know? If "yes" then it's a special feature that Windows can't do.

Also if the partition resize can be done without losing data, it's a special feature too.

I swear Giovanni, if it weren't for you, and your information, I'd have Fracked my machine so many times. Thanks for the insight. I always read your comments, they're easy to understand. Thanx Bro.

I have a dynamic disk from an old PC that can not be read by my new Win7- 32 bit machine.Does anyone know for sure if this software will assist me with this ?
Thanks

Looks like an excellent Partition manager tool but only for very advanced and demanding users who know how to handle a HD properly and what's the main difference between dynamic and basic disks.

In fact with this software users can create/delete/format all types of dynamic volume with no hassle, as well as resize, shrink and extend the dynamic system volume in order to solve the notorious "low disk space on C drive" issue with ease and free up some unallocated space for further usage.

Now the question is: how can I tell which type of disk I have (Basic or Dynamic)? And why should I convert a basic HD to a dynamic one??

Well by default Windows uses Basic disks, so almost everybody should have BASIC disks running in their system.

But to settle things once & for all....

Right click on Computer ==> Manage ==> Disk Management and under the Disk you will see the current configuration (Basic or Dynamic).

This GAOTD can also convert a BASIC HD to a DYNAMIC one with a single mouse click, but you can manually do that for FREE by simply right clicking on the disk icon in the DISK MANAGEMENT section (the system will prompt you for the basic to dynamic and also from dynamic to basic).

As far as the second question is concerned, just read this excellent article describing the main differences between the 2 type of disks:

http://www.dynamic-disk.com/difference-between-basic-and-dynamic-disk.html

Generally speaking, the main advantage of having DYNAMIC DISKS running in your system is that Vista/Windows7 can create/expand/contract partitions more easily & effectively, but since there are nowadays so many 3d party tools which can do the same things for FREE on basic partitions, I can't see why one should convert a basic disk to a dynamic one just because he/she doesn't want to install a third party tool in their machine.

Another advantage is that Dynamic Disks can create an UNLIMITED number of partitions, as well as handle partitions of over 2TB in size.

But hey, how many people out there need more than 3 partitions in their machine?? If you need 2TB of storage space (to store what?? The Pentagon & Nasa database?? LOL!!) you can use an external HD for that with no hassle.

Besides that, such a conversion can get you into troubles: for instance, DON'T even try to convert a BASIC disk, containing an installed operating system, to a DYNAMIC one, because if you do that your OS will not be able to boot or start anymore.

So, all things considered, unlike you are an advanced and very demanding geek, my suggestion is to stick with basic partitions, as I do, since they can be managed more easily by using FREE third party partition manager tools like PARTED MAGIC and/or PARTITION WIZARD, for instance:

* Parted Magic (==> My Personal First Choice)
GParted + Partimage + TestDisk + Truecrypt + Clonezilla + G4L + SuperGrubDisk + ddrescue etc...

Key Features:

Format internal and external hard drives
Move, copy, create, delete, expand & shrink hard drive partitions
Clone your hard drive, to create a full backup
Test hard drives for impending failure
Test memory for bad sectors
Benchmark your computer for a performance rating
Securely erase your entire hard drive, wiping it clean from all data
Gives access to non-booting systems allowing you to rescue important data

http://partedmagic.com/doku.php

Tutorial GParted:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/help.php

It runs from a CD, so no install is required; however, if you wish to, you can also create a bootable Live (Linux-based) USB drive for it, thus without burning any CD, using the excellent freeware "UNetbootin":

http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=creating_the_liveusb

* Partition Wizard

Key Features:
Rebuild MBR
Partition Recovery
Move/Resize Partition
Split Partition
Extend Partition
Change Cluster Size
Copy Partition
Create, Delete & Format Partition
Convert File System
Hide/Unhide Partition
Explore Partition and much more.

http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

Bootable CD/DVD & Bootable Version even for 64 bit OS:

http://www.partitionwizard.com/download.html


Enjoy!!!

Ciao
Giovanni

Correction:

The key features above are correct, I misread, but note: It cannot be done on a Basic Disk.

The key features above said: Dynamic volume management: create, delete, re-size, shrink, extend dynamic disks; change drive letter and volume label for easier recognition.

On their website, http://www.dynamic-disk.com/ddm/aomei-dynamic-disk-manager-pro.html comparing their 3 editions: Pro, Server, and Unlimited Edition, these functions are present ONLY in Unlimited Edition, which cost $399. This is false advertisement.

Uncheck "Check for update at startup" in the Help menu !

Otherwise the free period might end because of an automatic update.

There is a User Manual too (PDF). Might be an interesting read? Download link: http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8056.msg20410.html#msg20410

Peace!

Devvie


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——
All spelling mistakes are my own and may only be distributed under the GNU General Public License! – (© 95-1 by Coredump; 2-013 by DevNullius)

I was looking forward to testing this until I installed and opened it. It detects all of my partitions but one (350GB NTFS) which it claims is unallocated space. I nearly had a heart attack because that's my media partition! After confirming that the partition is indeed there and working as it should be, I don't trust this program enough to let it make any changes to any of my drives. YMMV.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT REQUIREMENTS...

Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional (x32/x64), Vista Business/ Enterprise/ Ultimate (x32/x64), 7 and 8 Professional/ Enterprise/ Ultimate (x32/x64), 7 SP1, Server 2012

This said... thanks for the giveaway....

P.S: Rule of thumb before doing any changes to your pc do backups ;-)