Win 2003 - Low Disk space (due to bad partitioning)

[Sinizter]

The Win2k3 server at my business has its c: set to 12gb by whatever moron set it up.

The actual drive itself is a RAID1 of 148GB. The D: still has a lot of space available.

How can I increase the space for C: without losing any of the data ? I would probably like to increase the space available to 36GB or 48GB.

Obviously I would backup the entire c: and d: to an external hard drive before trying any of this stuff as this server CANNOT go down. Would cause all sorts of problems.

[TiG]

Sorry but if its a server why you want to put any more on C:\ ?????

That drive really should be nothing but the OS and bare essentials.......

TiG

[Sinizter]

Sorry but if its a server why you want to put any more on C:\ ?????

That drive really should be nothing but the OS and bare essentials.......

TiG

All data for the programs used is stored on this drive. Thats how it has been setup. The data is then periodically mirrored over to D:

I dont want to mess with the current settings as it would involve risking the server going down.

The whole network is not setup very well. Nothing I can do about it short of reinstalling the whole lot and that is not something I am willing to risk at this time.

[Hunain]

IMO you will need a partition managing software, I have used Paragon Partition manager on trial basis, it was very good, you can change the sizes of your partitions in real time, deducting space from one, allocating to another, you will have to restart the server then, it will do the real reallocation at boot time. Worked for me.

[Splash]

Any kind of repartitioning like this is going to involve downtime...

[Lucio]

Personally, I'd start reinstalling the applications one at a time onto the D:\ drive and then uninstalling them from the C:\ to free up space, providing you have a way to roll out the change (if needed) to the client machines.

[dave87]

Is there no way for the programs to use D: to store their data? I'm sure most software has the ability to store its info in a different location.

As someone has previously said, C: should be for the OS and bare essentials - all other bits should be segregated from it.

[smargh]

Obvious comment: backup first. Then make a second backup. Then verify both backups and check that your restore strategy is sound.

[Sinizter]

By no downtime I meant it has to be working during normal working hours. It can be taken off for a while after hours to do all this. I just need it to be working next day.

[gss03]

That 12GB partition sounds like it's an OEM install of Win2003!
Dell are infamous for making their C partitions 12GB.

You need to get a boot CD of
Acronis Disk Director
Paragon Partition Manager

or something similar

Boot to the CD, change partitions and boom things will be sorted.
Boot back into windows and you've got resized partitions!

[Sinizter]

It is a Dell server .... and the clever forward thinking techs who installed it called the workgroup "Workgroup" set up everything to be installed and stored on the mini-partition and set up all the workstations without locking down the user rights.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I am seriously considering just starting all over again ... but even if I do, I have to wait for a few months before I can do that and the space shortage wont wait for that long.

[gman1981]

We have used Paragon Partition Manager at work for re-partitioning W2K3 servers, due to a similar issue, however it does require a reboot and for us it was down for about 45mins whilst it re-paritioned pre-OS. Once back up it was fine. We have been scheduling them to reboot and re-partition overnight. (i.e. when the servers are not used).

[Sinizter]

We have used Paragon Partition Manager at work for re-partitioning W2K3 servers, due to a similar issue, however it does require a reboot and for us it was down for about 45mins whilst it re-paritioned pre-OS. Once back up it was fine. We have been scheduling them to reboot and re-partition overnight. (i.e. when the servers are not used).

That sounds perfect.

I am sorry if I was unclear about downtime. It can be taken down after normal working hours ... It just needs to be working next day back at work.

[Splash]

That sounds perfect.

I am sorry if I was unclear about downtime. It can be taken down after normal working hours ... It just needs to be working next day back at work.

In which case most of the tools mentioned here would be fine, as would GPartEd. As always with this kind of operation be sure to take a full backup before kicking off this kind of work.

[Hunain]

I mentioned Paragon first no one thanks me

[Sinizter]

Thanks Hunanin, I did see it further up. Didnt mean to ignore you.

Are there any tools which are free and would do the non-destructive partition management as required ?

Dont mind paying, but if I can get it done without - why not ?