Cannot resize server partition (Solved)

[triskaidekaphobia]

Hi,

 

 

The system partition (C:) on one of our servers is very low on disk space (1 GB remaining). It's a long story but the server needs to run a program that requires at least 10 GB of free space on C for temporary files, and the temp directory cannot be changed to another drive letter. 1 GB isn't enough for a server OS drive anyway. For some reason the C partition was only set to 15 GB when the server was set up. It's running Windows Server 2003. The other partition on the disk (E) is 53 GB. I have uninstalled all the programs on C that I can, and reinstalled on the E partition, and I have moved all other files that I can to E. There is no other way to gain disk space. C is a Dynamic MBR partition.

 

 

So, I tried to reallocate free space from E to C using Easeus Server Edition, but it wouldn't let me do it, and neither would GParted. So I backed up the entire E drive and deleted the partition to leave 53 GB of unallocated space, thinking this would solve the problem. If I try to allocate some of the free space to the C partition, Easeus fails on the reboot at 1% completion with "Insufficient disk space", which is odd. If I try to do this with GParted it fails with "Parted can't resize partitions managed by Windows Dynamic Disk". If I try with diskpart.exe in Windows I get "This volume cannot be extended". If I try with the Disk Management Console I get "The selected volume is a system or boot disk or was created on a basic disk on an earlier version of Windows and cannot be extended."

 

 

Why is this so difficult - what am I doing wrong?!

 

 

Many thanks

Tom

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Tom.

Not too sure about the reason for why Tom, but something is ringing bells about MBR not being resizeable, but might be wrong on that, especially on the server editions of Windows so will leave that to someone who may know more.

 

However If I am right, do you have the original install disks?

It may be a case of a total reformat of the drive, then start again with a larger partition if you do have the disk or disks.

 

As I say not sure, but if you have the disks it may be of help to anyone else helping you.

 

Nev.

[triskaidekaphobia]

Hi Nev, thanks for your quick response.

 

I'm sure I will have the setup disk buried somewhere in the mountain of other setup disks in my IT cupboard, but I was trying to avoid a format and reinstall if possible! I have read a few articles on basic and dynamic disks and I don't really understand what "dynamic MBR" means - isn't MBR just the master boot record? Why do you think this would mean that the partition cannot be resized? I have repartitioned other servers with no problem. There is no RAID in use.

 

Thanks

Tom

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again Tom, indeed do wait till someone with a bit better idea comes along before going the reformat rout, as I said earlier I am not at all sure on the partition resize business and why you can't at the moment. Obviously something is stopping it but not my strong point I am afraid, we can't know it all is my excuse ha ha.

The idea of a reformat is the last resort not the first as yet. I hope someone can help further Tom.

 

Nev.

[triskaidekaphobia]

OK thanks Nev.

 

I have just noticed your location and avatar - looks like a flugel but I can't be sure from the size of the picture - I am in Yorkshire and play in a brass band!

 

Tom

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Tom, watch out then for Darwen Brass, now moved up to third section. Up till last year I was playing second cornet with them but dropped out for personal reasons.

 

Nev.

[danzil]

Hi what build of Easus are you using.

have you also tried using DiskPart.

if i understand you correctly you have removed the E: partition correct?, in easus server edition you should be able to right click the C: drive and choose resize, then simply move the slider across, then apply.

does not always require a reboot,

are you using the live cd,(bootable cd)or the program that is installed within windows.

 

to help you more please can you give me the follwoing info.

what OS version, aware its windows server 2k3 how is this patched what service packs?

how big is the primary drive.

how much free space overall is on this drive.

what build of easueus do you use.

i have used this software on windows servers 2000/2k3.2008 and exchange 2007 with no issue so should be able to assist you with this.

look forward to your reply.

best regards

[danzil]

To add to my previous comments, please make sure you have a full backup before attempting to play with any Partiton, dynamic/basic Mbr etc. you just never know.

[triskaidekaphobia]

Hi danzil,

 

The version of Easeus we have is 6.1.1. Diskpart.exe says "this volume cannot be extended" but provides no reason.

Yes I have deleted the E partition completely. I am using Easeus in Windows, when I apply the resize action it says a reboot is required. Easeus boots and starts the action but it fails at 1% with "insufficient disk space", which I don't understand.

GParted was my next attempt, which is a live CD and this says it can't resize partitions managed by Windows Dynamic Disk.

 

The C: partition is 15 GB in total with 1.2 GB of free space. There is now 53 GB of unallocated space on the disk. The OS is SP2.

 

I getting the feeling the issue is that it is a "dynamic disk" which we don't even need as we don't use a RAID. I have found a tool that claims to convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk (Aomei Dynamic Disk Converter) but I am assuming this will be destructive, so I'm considering using Ghost to clone the C: partition, and then delete the partition on the HDD, recreate it as a basic disk, and copy the data back from Ghost.

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks

Tom

[triskaidekaphobia]

Sorry the Easeus version is actually 9.0.

[triskaidekaphobia]

Hi guys,

 

Just to let you know, I used Ghost to backup the C partition, then I used Aomei Dynamic Disk Converter to convert the disk from dynamic to basic. It took about 10 seconds and was not destructive! After it was converted to a basic disk I could use Easeus to resize the partition.

 

Thanks for your help

Tom

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Tom, glad you managed to sort it yourself. A backup, and better, a full image, is always a good idea as you now know. Once all is backed up, you can mess around with the hard drive as much as you like in the knowledge you can put it back if it all goes wrong.

Thanks for letting us know.

 

Nev.