Expand the size of C: Drive without loosing data -Windows

-
As an 18Networking-Solutions, we have the need from time to time to extend system partition (extend C drive) because we did not perform the capacity analysis correctly and failed to choose the correct size for system partition that can support future growth.Another reason we encounter from time to time as an 18Networking-Solutions, is with our old servers, they have a very small hard disk size, and the servers are too old to be upgraded, besides they are out of life, and has to be decommissioned, but we need the software and services that run on it.So, what we always do is to virtualize the server and move it to a hypervisor like VMWare or Hyper-V, then we can extend the hard disk size to any size we need.But, the problem we face is that all the new space we added is unallocated and need to be merged with C drive, but we can't do this with Windows built in tools like diskpart, in the older Windows versions, like Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, …etcWe need a third party tool; to perform the job, but they are either commercial one, or need full installation of the software on the computer, or need to boot from a CD.Luckily, we have a small FREE command line tool from Dell Company called: ExtPart, that can do the job perfectly without the need to reboot the system!
We already tested the tool on a production Windows 2000 server VM under VMWare, and on a physical computer running Windows XP.

Windows 2000Server
On our Case,we have increased the size of the hard disk from VMWARE for that virtual machine.Now,we have all the new space added to the disk as unallocated













Now, we need to find the exact size for the unallocated space in MB.So, from the Computer Management we go to Device Manager, then Disk Drives, after that select our HDD from the list and go to Properties.


















then, we will run our tool, and type the drive letter for the partition need to be extended, and then enter the unallocated space in MB









The system partition has been expanded successfully.without the need to reboot our server



Windows XP - PC
In this case,we have deleted the second partition (xyz name like D drive ) in order to extend C drive 














Also, we need to find the exact size for the unallocated space in MB.So, from the Computer Management we go to Device Manager, then Disk Drives, after that select our HDD from the list and go to Properties, and then Volumes.

















After that we run the tool, then type the drive letter for our system partition C: and then enter the unallocated space in MB.









We have expanded system partition successfully.







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Information Security Interview Questions & Answers

-
The number of Information Security related jobs are growing extensively…. There is a huge requirement for skilled InfoSec professionals across the globe.. the jobs positions are available for freshers, experienced guys and top management (typically CISO .HCL,BPLetc)… This post is my attempt to collect typical InfoSec interview question and answers to help those looking out opportunities in this field… I’ll keep on updating the questions regularly.. You can also share/contribute any questions you might have faced during your InfoSec interviews…. Category I: General Security Concepts / Network Security / OS Security 1) Is there any difference between Information Security and IT Security? If yes, please explain the difference. Ans- Yes. Information Security and IT Security are both different terms often used interchangeably. IT Security focuses on purely technical controls (like implementing antivirus, firewall, hardening systems etc) while Information Security is more wider ter...
Read more

MCSE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWER

-
Image
MCSE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWER ,VERY USEFULL OUR NEXT JOB INTERVIEW MCSE Questions and Answers: :  1 :: What is the use of IGMP protocol?  Internet Group Management Protocol: - It allows internet hosts to participate in multicasting. The IGMP messages are used to learn which hosts is part of which multicast groups. The mechanism also allow a host to inform its local router, that it wants to receive messages.  2 :: What are Ping and Tracert?  Ping and tracert are the commands used to send information to some remote computers to receive some information. Information is sent and received by packets. Ping I particularly used to check if the system is in network or not. It also gives packet lost information. In windows ping command is written as ping ip_address Tracert is called as trace route. It is used to track or trace the path the packet takes from the computer where the command is given until the destination. In windows ping command is written as trac...
Read more

OSI MODEL (Open Systems Interconnection model )

-
Image
To Day I Explain OSI MODEL,   Open Systems Interconnection model  ( OSI ) is a conceptual model that characterizes and standardizes the internal functions of a communication system by partitioning it into  abstraction  layers. The model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection project at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), maintained by the identification ISO/IEC 7498-1. The model groups communication functions into seven logical layers. A layer serves the layer above it and is served by the layer below it. For example, a layer that provides error-free communications across a network provides the path needed by applications above it, while it calls the next lower layer to send and receive packets that make up the contents of that path. Two instances at one layer are connected by a horizontal connection on that layer.  The Below Shown Diagram is helpful to understand the OSI seven Layer Model. OSI MODEL EXPLANATION Th...
Read more