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doctorttt
Contributor
Contributor

After expanding VM HD size, how to expand the unallocated space in OS?

I changed the VM HD size from 7GB to 12GB. In windows, how do I expand the primary partition to use the unallocated space? I used to use server magic, but I don't have it anymore.

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davemi
Contributor
Contributor

There are some methods documented here - http://www.vmware-land.com/Resizing_Virtual_Disks.html. I use gparted and you download a bootable ISO from http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php.

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Gerry_Deutsch
Contributor
Contributor

After you have expaned the size of the disk using Vmkfstools -X, I boot from a BART boot CD or any other boot CD, and then run Diskpart.exe to expand the drive. Works every time for me. VC has an issue where it thinks the hard drive is still the old size. To remedy this I remove the VM from the Virtual Center inventory and then re-add it back in and all is OK.

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doctorttt
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks,

In diskpart, use the extend command, right?

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Gerry_Deutsch
Contributor
Contributor

The Diskpart steps I follow are:

Select Disk 0

List Partition

Select Partition 1

Extend

Thsi is based on the 1st disk is the boot disk, the 1st partition is the partition you want to extend, etc......

If you found this post helpful please award points

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atzi
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi,

Diskpart would not work if it is the system disk.

I use Acronis Disk Director.

You also can use tools like Partition Magic to expand system disks.

Greetings

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LarsLiljeroth
Expert
Expert

Hi

Or do it like this ... attach the system disk to another server and use the diskpart command as describe by the other above..

Or use this great guide.! http://vmprofessional.com/index.php?content=2k3resize

// Lars Liljeroth -------------- *If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!
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dkfbp
Expert
Expert

If it is the system disk then you cannot use diskpart to use all of the available disk space. You must remove the disk from

the server and add it to another. When you have added the disk to another VM then use diskpart:

start - run - cmd

diskpart

list volume

select volume X

extend

Then add the disk back to the server and everything is fine.

Best regards Frank Brix Pedersen blog: http://www.vfrank.org
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Gerry_Deutsch
Contributor
Contributor

This procedure DOES work with Diskpart.exe on the system disk. I think you missed the statement I made earlier that said after running vmksfstool -X to exapnd the drive you need to boot off of a CDROM like BART Boot CD to run Diskpart. The other poster that said to attach the system drive on another VM sounds like it would work as well.

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Troy_Clavell
Immortal
Immortal

link has already been provided... ignore my post!

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Roy_b2Lateral
Contributor
Contributor

I have found that rather than extending the original VM and then using a third party tool, I have just used the converter, told it that VM is a physical machine and re-imported the VM, but re sized the HD as necessary.

Plus point, is you still have the original VM. So if anything goes pear shaped.....

Minus point, you need enough space (at least temporarily)

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