HELP!!! I trying to repartition my C: sys drive on a Windows Server 2003

My understanding is that the free version of Partition Magic does not support Windows server systems.

The problem you have I suspect is that your server is now in limbo, with neither the former or latter partion information being correct.  I would recommend purchasing a full blown server supported partition product such as Easeus (http://www.partition-tool.com/).  I beleive this is what Partition Magic has evolved into.

Failing that, it looks like you may well have to fall back on your backups.

Snibborg

Also, Easeus also do partition table repair tools.

Snibborg

I would say (and have in MANY questions here) that it was a bad idea to begin with.  Properly managing the data on C: is a both a lot cheaper than buying a server product (free other than a little time) and safer (virtually no risk of corruption as you may have now).

I hope you have a backup - and if you don't MAKE ONE NOW.  Then, once the back is made, I'd run chkdsk on the C: drive.  There is no registry key (at least that I've ever heard of in 15 years of working with servers) to define the drive size.

Yea, I know it wasn't the brightest idea, but my boss was talking about backing it up and then reformatting c: to increase the size of it.  It was fast approaching 2GB free space and it needs more for Symantec Backup Exec using VSS to make snapshots duing backup of other systems.

I used the Parted Magic on a XP Pro box successfully.  However, if I had to do it over, I would have strongly suggested we try it on a test server first.

The server is working, but the size is not reflecting the change in My Computer.  We have run chkdsk a couple times with no errors.

So, other than it not displaying the correct size change, we look ok.

I will look into this paid version you spoke of.

Thanks again.

Bob

Yes, I insisted on a backup before doing anything.  Of course, my supervisor is a little...lets just say...risky..he would rather learn the hard way then prevent it.  LOL

So you were installing Backup Exec and were concerned about the snapshots?  You may want to know that you can set BE up to write the snapshots wherever you want, not just on the default drive.

Snibborg

Umm..no.  It already has Backup Exec and is our SEP manager too.  And we have been having some issues with the server locking up during 4+ backup jobs going at the same time.  We suspect the limited free space on the system drive may be causing it.

So, we thought we would resize the system drive to see if it corrects the lockups.

I am not the backup admin at this time, so I will have to verify with our backup admin about the snapshot relocation.

OK, quick question about these partition tools recommended.  Do they require installation on the system to do its thing?

The reason I decided on Parted Magic, is it ran from a LiveCD and once done just reboot the system and presto...well at least that was the idea.

I would suspect that the main product will require installation on the system.  However, the partition repair utility is free and may not need installing as, if you apply the logic, some users would not have anywhere to install it as it's needed to repair a partition!

I'd recommend you download it and have a look.

Snibborg

Burns2007,
What did you use to resize it?

Paragon Partition Manager 11 comes in two files. One is installation file and second one is self burning ISO image of WinPE3.0 that you boot the server from and run partitioning + backup/copy tools. It seems to me that Burns2007 has followed the instructions similar to those given by me in my previous post.

Well, the Parted Magic is linux based, but I liked the idea of not installing anything.  I will give resizing another attempt as suggested by noxcho latter this week when the server is available for such tasks and let you all know.

Thanks again.

Bob

The problem is that free tools are not tested the same way the commercial tools are. Thus you should expect some problems. Although your exact problem has been noticed by me after use of all known partitioning tools already (not by me but by other users). The solution of "shaking" partition worked always.

"Shaking" partition =  Resizing it again?

Yes. shrink - apply changes - check if fixed - if not increase for the size that you did shrink it. This I call "shake".

rsnellman, any feedback?

No, I got extemely busy, we are preparing to physically move our IT Dept. to another building very very soon and forgot to try it on the server when it became available during the Thursday.   Now I have to wait until tomorrow before trying this.

I will let you know if it works or not tomorrow.

Sorry it is taking so long.

Thanks again.

Bob

OK, I "shook it" up as suggested.  Resizing down 500MB and it is now reporting as mentioned it would.

Thank you all.

Life savers...that is all I can say about everyone here...Life Savers.

Thanks again.

Bob