How to install Linux on a dynamic disk without losing the disk configuration?

Question

I have Windows 7 installed and a dynamic disk. I want to install Ubuntu but I have the following constraints:

1. I don't want to lose any data.
2. I don't want to lose my current Windows installation.
3. If I tried to make a system image it will be very large (about 40GB)

What are the available options?

Answer 1

You could install Ubuntu inside Virtualbox:

• http://www.virtualbox.org/
• http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Or, maybe as a program?

To dualboot Windows 7 and Ubuntu, as Ubuntu will not run on a dynamic disc, you have to convert the disc back to a basic disc and carry on from there. These programs convert without the lost of data.

To convert dynamic disc to basic disc:

From SevenForum:

• Option 4 - free (depending on)

  links to:

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

• Easeus:

  • http://www.partition-tool.com/easeus-partition-manager/convert-dynamic-disk-to-basic-disk.htm
  • http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

• Convert with Aomei Partition:

  • http://www.dynamic-disk-converter.com/
  • http://www.dynamic-disk.com/convert-dynamic-disk-to-basic.html

After this, divide the partition for Ubuntu and:

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2011/01/28/dual-booting-windows-7-and-ubuntu-10-10/

Naturally it would be best to read the warnings and backup, just in case.