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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Best way to resize Windows Server 2003 C: drive??

I know there's different advice and methods for growing disks.

I'm looking for specific advice on growing the C: system drive of a Windows 2003 SP2 server guest VM.

It's on an ESXi 4.1 U2 host.

Thank you, Tom

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18 Replies
AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal

Faster: increase the vmdk size, rescan, and use Dell ExtPart utility.

Simplest and safer: use VMware Converter.

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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Troy_Clavell
Immortal
Immortal

I like extpart as well

You could also use a helper VM

http://vmprofessional.com/index.php?content=2k3resize

Just remember you cannot have any active snaphost prior to extending the drive.

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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

This is an ESXi host -- these instructions look like ESX Smiley Happy -- how would one do all this within ESXi??

It also looks easy to break for one who's never done it -- like me Smiley Happy

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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

ExtPart?? Never heard of it. Any instructions anywhere??

Same, any info anywhere how to resize with VMware Converter??

This is a serious production VM!!!!

Thank you, Tom

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Troy_Clavell
Immortal
Immortal

yes, it will work for a guest running on ESXi.

As already mentioned the path of least resistance would be Converter, although it would take longer.

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idle-jam
Immortal
Immortal

check the link out on method 2 for converter way of resizing. http://vsphere-land.com/tips-tricks/re-sizing-virtual-disks

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Troy_Clavell
Immortal
Immortal

also, check blow for usage of extpart

http://ftp.dell.com/app/ExtPart.txt

You must first extend the HDD usig the vSphere Client and "edit settings" of the guest.  From there go into the OS, copy the extpart.exe to C:\ and execute

If you are increasing the drive by 1GB your command line would look like.

extpart c: 1024

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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I just now found that article -- the server I must resize is a VERY important but old VM -- does the computer name per se change??

I have not used Converter this way before, I'm feeling my way.

I know the exported VM will have a different name in vCenter as a result and I don't care about that but I do need the Windows/computer name and IP etc. not to change or to be able to reset them to their same values. I imagine the process would be roughly the same as a P2V??

Thank you, Tom

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idle-jam
Immortal
Immortal

the diff name in the inventor does not affect the hostname/ip. yes it's almost identical to p2v and it clone another copy out. which takes longer time but then since you mention this is so critical it's the best path as you can still power up the source(original VM) if thing does not go your way

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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thank you Troy,

Your extpart comment arrived while I was typing about Converter.

With diskpart I can do this, correct??

0) Backup server VM, put extpart into server VM where I can find it

1) Shut down server VM

2) Increase disk size in VIC from 15 to 20 GB

3) Reboot server VM

4) Run extpart with extpart c: 5120 (5 x 1024) within console view

5) Immediately reboot server VM again

Thank you, Tom

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Troy_Clavell
Immortal
Immortal

you don't need to power down the guest to use extpart.

Here are the steps in which I do it.

1.  Extend HDD in the vSphere Client

2.  Copy extpart.exe to C:\ of VM

3.  Log into windows

4.  launch device manager, go to disk management

5.  If unallocated space doesn't show up--Edit Rescan disks

6.  Open a command promt

7.  expatart C: 1024   (size in which is extended... You can get the exact figure in disk management

8.  done.

All of this is done while the guest is running.

tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Correct me if I’m wrong but a Windows Server 2003 guest doesn’t support hot add disk space??

If not, must shut down guest to increase disk size, reboot, rescan disks, run extpart??

Thank you, Tom

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Troy_Clavell
Immortal
Immortal

using extpart you can increase the space while the guest is online... Give it a try Smiley Happy

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COS
Expert
Expert

When all else fails, I use Acronis Disk Director 10.

It's an offline tool, you have to boot to it, but it always works. The boot drive always sucks to resize.

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DSTAVERT
Immortal
Immortal

The one unfortunate thing about extpart is that it does not work for 64 bit but other than that it is one of those little utilities that just plain work.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Troy Clavell wrote:

using extpart you can increase the space while the guest is online... Give it a try Smiley Happy

I did!! Awesome!! Smiley Happy Smiley Happy

Thank you, Tom

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AureusStone
Expert
Expert

I hear this a lot, but it is not true.

The zip file can only be extracted on a 32bit machine, but the application works fine on 64bit 2003.

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vportugalworld
Contributor
Contributor

ExtPart is an awesome tool, it works perfectly, just want to make it clear....it only works to extend basic disks

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