Convert existing disk to GPT
I have a virtual server running on a Hyper-V machine that I need to increase the size of the data drive on. I know I can just shut down the VM, increase the vhd, and then reboot it and extend the volume and the space should be there. Problem is, I need the disk to be converted to a GPT disk instead of an MBR.
I found this article on doing this and it seems simple:
http://notes.ponderworthy.com/convert-mbr-to-gpt-without-destroying-data
The data drive isn't currently extended so it shouldn't be a problem I don't think, as long as it's ok if I extend it afterwards.
Has anyone successfully done this before while preserving the data or should I just backup everything and create a new vhd and then restore the data. The latter is a big task since it's about 600GB already and has numerous shares and different permissions for each share. The process in the article should work as long as I extend the volume AFTER I add the new free space correct?
Thanks for the help!
I found this article on doing this and it seems simple:
http://notes.ponderworthy.com/convert-mbr-to-gpt-without-destroying-data
The data drive isn't currently extended so it shouldn't be a problem I don't think, as long as it's ok if I extend it afterwards.
Has anyone successfully done this before while preserving the data or should I just backup everything and create a new vhd and then restore the data. The latter is a big task since it's about 600GB already and has numerous shares and different permissions for each share. The process in the article should work as long as I extend the volume AFTER I add the new free space correct?
Thanks for the help!
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What I'm guessing that program you linked to does is actually back your data up somewhere on its own so that it basically clones your HDD, converts it, then restores that clone to the new GPT disk. That may be a false theory, but that's my guess.
ASKER
If that's what it does, then that would provide an issue since this site doesn't have a SAN available to me and I'd have no space to put the clone anywhere :(
I'm currently researching to see if Hyper-V has an export/snapshot option that I'd be able to restore to a new drive. I know Citrix XenServer has this option but I haven't used Hyper-V for very long.
I'm currently researching to see if Hyper-V has an export/snapshot option that I'd be able to restore to a new drive. I know Citrix XenServer has this option but I haven't used Hyper-V for very long.
I love XenServer for that. Don't quote me on it, but I can't imagine Hyper-V or ESX/ESXi wouldn't also have that feature.
ASKER
I couldn't tell you if this would work or not. We have decided not to convert the existing disc. We were able to remove a development VM which free'd up enough space to create another vhd.
The solution is to create and mount the new vhd as a GPT disk and then use the File Server Migration Wizard to move all the data on the drive. This seemed to be the best option since it didn't look like Hyper-V had the same feature as Xen as far as the export goes. It can snapshot but that's about it (Either that or it's not easy to find how to do it....).
And the best part about the FSMW is that it will automatically stop the old shares and share the new folders on the new drive.
Thanks both of you for your input.
The solution is to create and mount the new vhd as a GPT disk and then use the File Server Migration Wizard to move all the data on the drive. This seemed to be the best option since it didn't look like Hyper-V had the same feature as Xen as far as the export goes. It can snapshot but that's about it (Either that or it's not easy to find how to do it....).
And the best part about the FSMW is that it will automatically stop the old shares and share the new folders on the new drive.
Thanks both of you for your input.
I figured out a way to do it after having the issue of the blinking cursor and the message that I had the wrong Windows version when trying to repair it. It took about 8 hours of research and figuring it out but I got it to work. I made a ten minute You Tube video that walks you through it. I have been an Expert Exchange subscriber for years and you all have helped me out, so I am giving you one back.
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=DDaSFRAviq4
Let me know if it helps.
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=DDaSFRAviq4
Let me know if it helps.
ASKER
btetlow, That's the same thing I was thinking. That server is always backed up daily so I know I have a backup, but running a manual backup at the time of conversion will take too long. I guess I'll have an early morning so I can get to it before people come in. Thanks for the sourceforge link.
Regardless, this will be done tomorrow morning so we'll find out what actually happens...