expanding system partition

[r***@fastmail.fm]

In searching newgroups for ways to copy a Windows Server 2003 system
partition to a new, larger partition, I keep seeing xcopy recommended,
but other sources say this is unreliable due to long-vs-short file
name issues. Since I would not trust anything as controversial as
xcopy, this post is to ask if anyone who really knows about this issue
could pass on to us a reliable and inexpensive way of getting the
system partition on a larger partition. In particular, are there any
settings, such as in the registry, that need to be changed when the
system finds itself on a new, larger partition? Thanks very much for
any help on this issue.

[Mathieu CHATEAU]

Hello,

the easiest way for me is ghost...

xcopy is not good, you would use robocopy at least. Take care of having the
partition bootable
--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
In searching newgroups for ways to copy a Windows Server 2003 system
partition to a new, larger partition, I keep seeing xcopy recommended,
but other sources say this is unreliable due to long-vs-short file
name issues. Since I would not trust anything as controversial as
xcopy, this post is to ask if anyone who really knows about this issue
could pass on to us a reliable and inexpensive way of getting the
system partition on a larger partition. In particular, are there any
settings, such as in the registry, that need to be changed when the
system finds itself on a new, larger partition? Thanks very much for
any help on this issue.

[unknown]

You may find that there is not enough free space on a certain partition. For example, you want to enlarge C: drive, which usually is Windows system drive. EASEUS Partition Manager Personal lets you free enlarge or reduce a partition in Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server(Only Server Edition) without destroying data easily.

For more:http://www.partition-tool.com/easeus-partition-manager/help/resizing-and-moving-partition.htm

[nmowatt]

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
In searching newgroups for ways to copy a Windows Server 2003 system
partition to a new, larger partition, I keep seeing xcopy recommended,
but other sources say this is unreliable due to long-vs-short file
name issues. Since I would not trust anything as controversial as
xcopy, this post is to ask if anyone who really knows about this issue
could pass on to us a reliable and inexpensive way of getting the
system partition on a larger partition. In particular, are there any
settings, such as in the registry, that need to be changed when the
system finds itself on a new, larger partition? Thanks very much for
any help on this issue.

Is the system partition Dynamic or Basic? Secondly, is the larger
partition on the same drive or a different hard drive? If it is a
Basic partition and on the same drive, I've found using something like
Acronis software works well. They have a 15 day trial version that
you can download that is fully functional. It has the ability to
change the size of your partition.

If it is Dynamic, you are a little bit more in a pickle, but it isn't
impossible to do. What I've done in the past is Ghost (Using Norton
Ghost) over the Dynamic drive to another Hard Drive. Boot to the new
hard drive and it should be converted back to a Basic Drive. Once you
do that, then you can use Acronis (I believe it is True Image Server.
Go to www.acronis.com and check it out) to expand the partition just
like above.

If you are looking to just image it to another drive, you would still
use either method above. If it is Basic, just use ghost or acronis
true image server to image the drive over to a new drive. During the
process, it should ask you about partition sizes, resize it at that
point. If it is a Dynamic drive, only way I know to do it is, image
it as is to another drive, that will convert it to a Basic disk then
use something like Acronis to stretch out the partition to the size
you want after it has been moved over.

I shouldn't have to tell you this, but ALWAYS make a backup first
before you start anything like this.

Neil

[r***@fastmail.fm]

The Windows Server references I have been reading tell me you cannot
expand a system partition, whether basic or dynamic. Do you mean to
tell me that Acronis can safely accomplish this feat? The partition I
am talking about is basic, but I am interested in knowing how to
expand either type. I do not know whether the new partition will be
on the same or a different disk right now; this is one of the things
that has to be figured out once all options are known.

[nmowatt]

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
The Windows Server references I have been reading tell me you cannot
expand a system partition, whether basic or dynamic. Do you mean to
tell me that Acronis can safely accomplish this feat? The partition I
am talking about is basic, but I am interested in knowing how to
expand either type. I do not know whether the new partition will be
on the same or a different disk right now; this is one of the things
that has to be figured out once all options are known.

That is news to me. I've done it several times. Check this out:

http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/diskdirector/

You can't resize dynamic disks, but by imaging them over to another
drive via ghost or acronis, it will convert it back to a basic disk
and then you can do what you need to it.

[r***@fastmail.fm]

It looks like Acronis is $500. That is not going to be an option for
the small place where this is an issue. What if we did the following:

Entirely reformat the disk with larger C: (system) and smaller D:
partitions which will erase all data.

Restore our backup to the disk.

The question is, would there be any settings that need to be reset
somewhere for the system to properly function in the new, resized
partitions? Can anyone tell me where this info is documented? Thanks.

[Steve]

I have never done this, but I almost had to last year.
I don't think you'll have a problem but make sure you have a fall back
plan if need be (backups, pull a mirrored drive, etc).

Ghost 2003 and newer can image dynamic drive but can only restore them
as basic which is good if you have dynamic drives. Basic drives should
be image-able using most other programs (bootitng or PM8, for example).

I think this might work although it is UNTESTED (you're on your own to
test this):
-disconnect the network cables (prevents any domain/AD issues)
-use ghost 2003 or newer to backup your drives partitions (not the whole
drive as one job) to a second, larger drive as image files.
-use ghost to backup the whole drive as one image file
-delete all partitions on the original drive
-use ghost to restore the partitions back and specify a larger target
partition for the system partition. Other application may not offer
this feature, check in advance.
-Windows might state a new drive was detected at next boot and/or do a
disk check but a second reboot should finish the job.
-if your event logs are still clean after a second or third reboot you
can reconnect the network cables and verify replication still works.

If all else fails just restore the whole disk ghost image and your good
as new again.

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
It looks like Acronis is $500. That is not going to be an option for
partitions which will erase all data.
Restore our backup to the disk.
The question is, would there be any settings that need to be reset
somewhere for the system to properly function in the new, resized
partitions? Can anyone tell me where this info is documented? Thanks.

[Dragon software]

Following sample shows you how to extend the system partition by using Partition Wizard.

Case study:
Disk is configured as 2 partitions. Partition C & D. C is system partition. Goal is to extend 7 GB free space to partition C.
Step 1: Create 7GB free space
Shrink drive D to get 7 GB free space between drive C and drive D. Please select drive D from Partition Wizard, and click Move/Resize button from the toolbar. You will see the popup window like the following screenshot. And then drag the left border of the partition to the right to shrink this partition. And then click OK button.

Step 2: 7 GB unallocated space is created between drive C & drive D. And then please select drive C, and click "Move/Resize" button from the toolbar again.
Step 3. Position the mouse pointer to the right edge of the partition. Please drag mouse to the right to extend C partition when the mouse pointer changes to a double-headed arrow. And then click OK button.
And then you could see your drive C is extended

Step 3:Click Apply button.

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
In searching newgroups for ways to copy a Windows Server 2003 system
partition to a new, larger partition, I keep seeing xcopy recommended,
but other sources say this is unreliable due to long-vs-short file
name issues. Since I would not trust anything as controversial as
xcopy, this post is to ask if anyone who really knows about this issue
could pass on to us a reliable and inexpensive way of getting the
system partition on a larger partition. In particular, are there any
settings, such as in the registry, that need to be changed when the
system finds itself on a new, larger partition? Thanks very much for
any help on this issue.

Post by Mathieu CHATEAU
Hello,
the easiest way for me is ghost...
xcopy is not good, you would use robocopy at least. Take care of having the
partition bootable
--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com

Post by nmowatt
Is the system partition Dynamic or Basic? Secondly, is the larger
partition on the same drive or a different hard drive? If it is a
Basic partition and on the same drive, I've found using something like
Acronis software works well. They have a 15 day trial version that
you can download that is fully functional. It has the ability to
change the size of your partition.
If it is Dynamic, you are a little bit more in a pickle, but it isn't
impossible to do. What I've done in the past is Ghost (Using Norton
Ghost) over the Dynamic drive to another Hard Drive. Boot to the new
hard drive and it should be converted back to a Basic Drive. Once you
do that, then you can use Acronis (I believe it is True Image Server.
Go to www.acronis.com and check it out) to expand the partition just
like above.
If you are looking to just image it to another drive, you would still
use either method above. If it is Basic, just use ghost or acronis
true image server to image the drive over to a new drive. During the
process, it should ask you about partition sizes, resize it at that
point. If it is a Dynamic drive, only way I know to do it is, image
it as is to another drive, that will convert it to a Basic disk then
use something like Acronis to stretch out the partition to the size
you want after it has been moved over.
I shouldn't have to tell you this, but ALWAYS make a backup first
before you start anything like this.
Neil

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
The Windows Server references I have been reading tell me you cannot
expand a system partition, whether basic or dynamic. Do you mean to
tell me that Acronis can safely accomplish this feat? The partition I
am talking about is basic, but I am interested in knowing how to
expand either type. I do not know whether the new partition will be
on the same or a different disk right now; this is one of the things
that has to be figured out once all options are known.

Post by nmowatt
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/diskdirector/
You can't resize dynamic disks, but by imaging them over to another
drive via ghost or acronis, it will convert it back to a basic disk
and then you can do what you need to it.

Post by r***@fastmail.fm
It looks like Acronis is $500. That is not going to be an option for
partitions which will erase all data.
Restore our backup to the disk.
The question is, would there be any settings that need to be reset
somewhere for the system to properly function in the new, resized
partitions? Can anyone tell me where this info is documented? Thanks.

Post by Steve
I have never done this, but I almost had to last year.
I don't think you'll have a problem but make sure you have a fall back
plan if need be (backups, pull a mirrored drive, etc).
Ghost 2003 and newer can image dynamic drive but can only restore them
as basic which is good if you have dynamic drives. Basic drives should
be image-able using most other programs (bootitng or PM8, for example).
I think this might work although it is UNTESTED (you're on your own to
-disconnect the network cables (prevents any domain/AD issues)
-use ghost 2003 or newer to backup your drives partitions (not the whole
drive as one job) to a second, larger drive as image files.
-use ghost to backup the whole drive as one image file
-delete all partitions on the original drive
-use ghost to restore the partitions back and specify a larger target
partition for the system partition. Other application may not offer
this feature, check in advance.
-Windows might state a new drive was detected at next boot and/or do a
disk check but a second reboot should finish the job.
-if your event logs are still clean after a second or third reboot you
can reconnect the network cables and verify replication still works.
If all else fails just restore the whole disk ghost image and your good
as new again.

Post by unknown
You may find that there is not enough free space on a certain partition. For example, you want to enlarge C: drive, which usually is Windows system drive. EASEUS Partition Manager Personal lets you free enlarge or reduce a partition in Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server(Only Server Edition) without destroying data easily.
For more:http://www.partition-tool.com/easeus-partition-manager/help/resizing-and-moving-partition.htm
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