Why don't I have the option to upgrade to dynamic disk on my laptop?

A. Windows 2000 introduced the dynamic disk, which is required for the creation of its fault-tolerant volumes but isn't backward compatible with non-Win2K OSs. By default, all disks are basic and can be upgraded using the Disk Management Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in. You right-click the disk information and select "Convert to dynamic disk."

However, on a portable, this option isn't available. The argument is that most portables have only one disk, so the advantages of a dynamic disk with fault tolerance aren't applicable. For users with docking stations with disks, a fault-tolerant volume causes problems when the portable isn't in the docking station. You can't work around this "feature."