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Windows server 2008 r2 system reserved partition
I have a Dell server with two 300 gb hard drives. They are set to RAID 1 I need to install Windows 2008 Server R2 on to it with four partitions.
What keeps happening, is after I create the 160gb parttion using the gui during the install, it keeps automatically creating a small system resreved parttion that contain the system, and active files. The C: drive after the install contains the boot, page files and crash dump. This is all viewable in windows disk management.
We have another windows 2008 server, which I don't have physical access to, nor do I know how it was built up, what it physically contains etc., that shows all of the files mentioned above loaded together onto the C: drive of said system in its disk management gui.
Is there a way to NOT have windows create the system reserved partition and just have all the files loaded on to the one 160gb partion together?
What keeps happening, is after I create the 160gb parttion using the gui during the install, it keeps automatically creating a small system resreved parttion that contain the system, and active files. The C: drive after the install contains the boot, page files and crash dump. This is all viewable in windows disk management.
We have another windows 2008 server, which I don't have physical access to, nor do I know how it was built up, what it physically contains etc., that shows all of the files mentioned above loaded together onto the C: drive of said system in its disk management gui.
Is there a way to NOT have windows create the system reserved partition and just have all the files loaded on to the one 160gb partion together?
Can you post screen shots of disk management and what you're trying to accomplish?
NOTE: Windows 2008 and later (POSSIBLY Unless you upgrade) require an initial partition of 100 MB to 350 MB. That means you will have TWO partitions on a clean install. If you need 4 that YOU manage, create one more primary then create an extended partition and you can create logical drives within the extended partition that should be, for your purposes, just like partitions.
NOTE: Windows 2008 and later (POSSIBLY Unless you upgrade) require an initial partition of 100 MB to 350 MB. That means you will have TWO partitions on a clean install. If you need 4 that YOU manage, create one more primary then create an extended partition and you can create logical drives within the extended partition that should be, for your purposes, just like partitions.
During setup of the O/S you can do a custom install and view the Drive options, which will allow you to delete or create partitions. Delete ALL partitions you can (one will remain) and install the O/S on that single partition.
This should only install to that single partition and not create another.
This should only install to that single partition and not create another.
ASKER
Hey guys, Thanks for the input. I've tried all of that but every time I dow during the Windows install I get the message that "winows might create a reserved windows partition" and no matter what I've tried, it always does.
As I said:
Windows 2008 and later (POSSIBLY Unless you upgrade) require an initial partition of 100 MB to 350 MB.
Why doesn't the extended partition work for you?
Will you post screen shots?
Windows 2008 and later (POSSIBLY Unless you upgrade) require an initial partition of 100 MB to 350 MB.
Why doesn't the extended partition work for you?
Will you post screen shots?
ASKER
Ok. So the reserved system partition is "required" in Windows 2008 Server? Unfortunately my boss doesn't think it is required. Here is the screen shot she sent me, cut down a bit for security, but basically this is what we are trying to accomplish. This screen shot was supposedly taken from a Windows 2008 server. Note the c: has everything needed including what would normally would be on the reserved partition. This is how she wants it set up and I can't seem to do it.
Partitions.PNG
Partitions.PNG
from diskpart (and not diskmgmt.msc) you can create the 4th primary partition
If you don't want the system reserved partition.. at the install screen press shift-f10 this will bring you into a command prompt
use diskpart to create a single primary partition that is the size you want (ie 30GB, format it and make it active
select disk 0
create partiton primary
format fs=ntfs quick size=30000
assign
active
exit out of diskpart
exit out of the command prompt
now install to that partition
http://www.screencast.com/t/99AAEuOckIE
If you don't want the system reserved partition.. at the install screen press shift-f10 this will bring you into a command prompt
use diskpart to create a single primary partition that is the size you want (ie 30GB, format it and make it active
select disk 0
create partiton primary
format fs=ntfs quick size=30000
assign
active
exit out of diskpart
exit out of the command prompt
now install to that partition
http://www.screencast.com/t/99AAEuOckIE
Well, I have been known to be wrong before... but here's my take on this....
The System Reserved Partition is NOT REQUIRED. When installing a new Windows 7 or Windows 2008 operating system on an unformatted disk, the OS will automatically create a 100MB partition in which to store the bootloader and bitlocker required files.
Reference: http://www.appassure.com/support/KB/4130305/
However, you can very easily create a partition table during installation and use all of the available disk space so that it is impossible for the system to create that partition.
If your system was already installed and you wish to remove that partition, you may use BCDBOOT to move the bootloader to a different location.
Reference: http://www.geekshangout.com/content/removing-100mb-system-reserved-partition-after-windows-7-or-windows-2008-r2-has-been
The System Reserved Partition is NOT REQUIRED. When installing a new Windows 7 or Windows 2008 operating system on an unformatted disk, the OS will automatically create a 100MB partition in which to store the bootloader and bitlocker required files.
Reference: http://www.appassure.com/support/KB/4130305/
However, you can very easily create a partition table during installation and use all of the available disk space so that it is impossible for the system to create that partition.
If your system was already installed and you wish to remove that partition, you may use BCDBOOT to move the bootloader to a different location.
Reference: http://www.geekshangout.com/content/removing-100mb-system-reserved-partition-after-windows-7-or-windows-2008-r2-has-been
ASKER
Thanks for the input but how do you do this:
"However, you can very easily create a partition table during installation and use all of the available disk space so that it is impossible for the system to create that partition."
I may be missing something at this step but I don't think so, not sure... I am only allowed to use the imbedded tools to partition the drives that are within windows.
After the failed attempt I "Re-Raided" the two disks on the Dell Server to wipe it clean, chose the entire space for the install, and it still created the System Reserved Partition.
"However, you can very easily create a partition table during installation and use all of the available disk space so that it is impossible for the system to create that partition."
I may be missing something at this step but I don't think so, not sure... I am only allowed to use the imbedded tools to partition the drives that are within windows.
After the failed attempt I "Re-Raided" the two disks on the Dell Server to wipe it clean, chose the entire space for the install, and it still created the System Reserved Partition.
ASKER
I created the partition within Windows during the install. Is it possible I need to create them first using a third party software? Unfortunately that is something I was told not to do.
Please read the links I sent you earlier. They explain how to start the installation and then open a command prompt and how to execute the diskpart command to create the partition.
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If your disk is already partitioned and has no unallocated space, then you will be able to do the install like you wish.
Another thing to consider though, is whether the RAID is being done in the OS, or being done on the server. If it is being done on the server, then the OS only sees it as one disk, and then when you go to partition it during the install, you can claim all the space on the disk and create the partitions to the sizes you want.