Microsoft KB Archive/331498

= Dynamic Disks in the Windows Preinstallation Environment Are Reported as Foreign =

Article ID: 331498

Article Last Modified on 12/3/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q331498



SYMPTOMS
You can use the Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) to configure and partition a computer's disks before you start Windows Setup.

If you convert any disks to dynamic disks by using Diskpart.exe before you start Windows Setup after you install Windows Server 2003, Diskpart.exe reports those disks as foreign. Therefore, you cannot access the volumes on those disks.



RESOLUTION
After Setup is complete and Windows is installed, import the disk group by using the import command in Diskpart.exe. If you are using automated Setup, you must script this command to run when the operating system starts for the first time.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft does not support the conversion of the system disk to a dynamic disk before you install Windows. (The system disk contains the boot loader files such as NTLDR.) If you want to convert the system disk to a dynamic disk, do so after you install.

Keywords: kbbug KB331498

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