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PapaSmurffFlag for United States of America

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VMware ESX 3.5 - Expand vdmk boot partition

We are running vmware 3.5, and have a vm server 2008 that has one drive with 2 partition's C: (20gb) D: (20gb) We need to expand the C: (boot partition).

When I turn the vm machine off and expand the hdd to 60gb it doesnt take the changes. I believe I read somewhere that you can't do this if you have snapshots of this server. Which I do. I'm fairly new to vmware infrastructure. Here are my 2 questions:

1) If I can't expand because of the snapshots.. How can I expand while having a backup? Clone the vm, make the changes on the clone, then create a snapshot of the new vm for backup purposes?

2) Anyone know of some easy how-to's URL's on the process after extending the hdd? (I heard gparted or just win2k8 system disk is the way to go?)

Thanks experts!
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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
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Also snapshots are not backups.

You really should have a backup plan, either clone, scripts, or third party software, vizioncore vranger, veeam, phd virtual etc
It's easy to extend the partitions out using gparted as it has a gui.

Get the vmdk expanded and I'll take you through the steps with pictures if you like

An easy to do this without using 3rd party products is to use vmware converter.  Point converter to the OS and essentiantiall make another copy of the VM but using the converter allows you to resize the partition.  This is non distructive way to do this and you still have your source VM if something doesn't work out.
yes, I know several large organisations that use VMware Convertor as a backup tool!
Since you are running W28, after expanding the disk, simply go into disk management on the 2008 server and expand the partition on the fly, without a shutdown or 3rd party tools.  

This functionality is now included with Winddows 2008.
@nappy_d:  Only if the system drive is on a seperate volume,otherwise have to use 3rd party tools
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Ok, so I cloned the vm and have a test vm. When I increase the hard disk space is the the new 20 gb unallocated space, however, when I click resize-move within g-parted it says I'm maxed at the current 20gb and can't add the additional 20gb. Any ideas?

Im following this how-to: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

Thanks.
would it be possible to send a screenshot of what you've got in gparted?
I must be doing something wrong. I've never used this program before. Ive attached two images.
gparted1.bmp
pgarted2.bmp
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if you want me to show you remotely contact email in,profile!
That is clear. I'll try tonight and let you know how I make out. Thanks for the quick responses.
Awesome. Thanks so much! Gparted is the way to go. 20GB's has been added to the C: You da man!