Deleting dynamic partitions completely

I installed Windows 7 (64 bit) on my computer; I was trying to extend the 3rd partition into a logical one to install Linux as a dual boot but somehow my disk ended becoming a dynamic one. I tried reinstalling Windows from scratch, but even the installation process recognized the disk as a dynamic one and didn't let me delete the partitions completely. I tried a bunch of free tools to convert the dynamic partition into basic but it was futile. Is there ANY way to delete everything on the disk, wiping it out completely?

I have Windows 7 on a USB thumb drive, the hard disk is a 2TB SATA.

Craig

Posted 2012-02-04T23:35:04.240

Reputation: 115

Answers

You could install Linux from another thumb drive, wipe out the existing partitions and then reinstall Windows.

Nishant

Posted 2012-02-04T23:35:04.240

Reputation: 126

Once you've installed Linux, use gparted to make sure you've deleted the other partitions. I believe it comes bundled with Ubuntu but you'll have to get it from the repository for Fedora. Good luck! – Nishant – 2012-02-05T08:00:57.233

Use DBAN to nuke the disk, use the quick erase option for the fastest nuke operation.

http://www.dban.org/

Moab

Posted 2012-02-04T23:35:04.240

Reputation: 54 203

Thanks moab. I went with the other option since I'm comfortable with Fedora – Craig – 2012-02-06T20:43:33.803

Why don't you just use the Disk Manager MMC snap-in to convert it back to Basic disk?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309044

billc.cn

Posted 2012-02-04T23:35:04.240

Reputation: 6 821

The primary partition that Windows was installed on was a dynamic disk itself. The instructions in the msft article involved deleting the volume, which I was not able to do because of it being the OS volume – Craig – 2012-02-06T20:41:59.450