This command-line tool produces a detailed report on the configuration of the hard disk that you specify. It provides information from the registry about disk characteristics and geometry, and reads and displays data about all of the partitions and logical drives defined on the disk.
A good way to use this tool is to run it for each disk in your computer, print out the configuration report for each disk, and save the hard copy with the other configuration information that you maintain for your computer. In case of some kinds of disk problems, this information can then be used to reconstruct the hard disk structure.
DiskMap does not support all the disk-based features found in Windows 2000.
Windows 2000 offers two types of disk configurations: basic disk and dynamic disk. The basic disk configuration uses the same disk structures found on all versions of Windows NT, using primary partitions and logical volumes within extended partitions as containers of data. All disks are initially configured as basic disks. DiskMap fully supports basic disks.
Dynamic disk is new to Windows 2000. It uses a disk management database located at the end of the disk to manage the structure of disk volumes. Each physical disk has to be upgraded to use dynamic disk.
DiskMap cannot read the disk-management database. It gathers its disk data from reading the partition table and any extended partition tables that may exist. Users who upgrade their disks to dynamic disk might not be able to use DiskMap to get an accurate portrayal of the structures on those disks.
Any partition structures that existed before disks are upgraded to dynamic disk are retained in the partition table. DiskMap is able to read and display this data. However, once dynamic disk is installed, users can add as many new volumes as space allows without the limits imposed by the partition table, and volumes can be easily extended and spanned beyond their initial configuration. None of these types of additions or changes are recorded in the partition table on dynamic disks, which inhibits DiskMap's ability to recognize new volumes, locate boot sectors, and identify the start and end sectors of individual volumes. For more information about basic and dynamic disks, refer to the Windows 2000 Professional Resource Kit or Server Operations Guide of the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit.
DiskMap Topic
File Required