Microsoft KB Archive/253903

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Cannot Install Windows 2000 on a Non-System or Boot Dynamic Volume

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Q253903

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

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SYMPTOMS
When you install Windows 2000 on a dynamic volume, you can install only on a dynamic volume that is a boot or system volume. Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and earlier versions do not support dynamic volumes with third-party software, so this is not an issue with earlier operating systems.

CAUSE
Dynamic disks do not use the same type of partition table as Microsoft MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, or Windows NT. In order for an Intel-based computer to boot, the BIOS INT13 calls need to be able to read a partition table to locate the file system and boot files. Dynamic disks use a proprietary system developed by a third party that stores its partition or volume information in a database at the end of each dynamic disk in a Windows 2000-based computer.

The only dynamic disks that have a traditional partition table are system or boot disks. This is by design so these disks can boot. Text-mode Setup requires the same information in order to install to a volume.

RESOLUTION
Install Windows 2000 on a basic disk and then use the Windows 2000 Disk Management snap-in to upgrade the disk to dynamic. If you are dual booting with any other operating system, the other operating system may not be able to boot after the upgrade to a dynamic disk if the operating system is installed on a dynamic disk or if the disk containing the boot files is dynamic.

MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about dynamic disks, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q175761 Dynamic vs. Basic Storage in Windows 2000" "Q114841 Windows NT Boot Process and Hard Disk Constraints" Additional query words: veritas ldm

Keywords : kbhw kbsetup KBW2KHOME

Issue type : kbprb

Technology : kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000DataServ kbwin2000DataServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinAdvServSearch kbWinDataServSearch