Resize SATA RAID System Partition, Server 2003

[seismik]

Hi,

I've got a Dell server (just a little guy, PowerEdge SC1420) and it has a 12GB (1 GB Free) system partition (C with 130GB D: drive (119 GB Free). Running Windows 2003. C: is filling up, I'm not sure why it was ever made so small to begin, but it also holds all program files. Keep in mind, this is not a great deal - this server is mainly just a file server, but it does have a small SQL Server as well, and the fact is I just need to make it bigger.

I don't want to re-install everything, so my thinking is to use Snapshot drive image and take an image of both drives, back those up to an external harddrive via USB. Then repartition the drives to make C: about 40GB. That will take D: down to about 100GB which is still going to be more than ample for awhile. Then, from BartPE fire up Snapshot Drive Image and restore both images back from the USB external drive to the newly resized partitions.

Would this work? I've never done it before and I'll be ready to re-install everything if I have to, but I can't think of another way to do this as I tried GParted and it seems to choke on the SATA RAID or something. I do not even know what RAID version it's running though it is 2 149GB drives, so RAID 1 maybe? And Partition Magic doesn't support Windows 2003 so I'm told. What else can I do? Think this strategy will work?

Thoughts appreciated.

seis

 

[RebateMonger]

Interestingly enough, Acronis True Image Echo Server for Windows is offered as a 15-day demo with, basically, FULL FUNCTIONALITY. You might want to evaluate it. I used it to migrate a Windows Small Business Server 2003 install to a new RAID array, with zero problems.

I presume that your second partition is only data. You can simply back that up and restore it to the new data partition.

I always recommend keeping backups on at least TWO different hard drives. Having a hard drive fail in the middle of a one-way migration would suck. Also, I always recommend buying NEW hard drives for the new array. That way, you can almost-instantly restore your server to its original functionality. You can always keep the old drives as spares or hot-spares once the migration is verified.

Paragon Partition Manger 9.0 Server is also capable of expanding a Windows Server System Partition. Most partitioning software can't handle a system partition. An acquaintance has had great success with it. Obviously, have backups....