Converting Basic disk to Dynamic on Windows 2008 r2 server running on top of VM ware
I've got a windows 2008 server r2 that is running on top of VMware. I'm desperately running out of hard disk space on the C drive. there is lots and lots of disk space on the D partition. I also have about 4 gig of unallocated space that would save the day if I could access that now.
So the C drive (os drive) in the disk management shows that the disk 0 type is basic. Can i Just change this to dynamic and then extend the c partition to the unallocated space? Or does the drive have to stay basic because it is a virtual machine with VMware.
I just don't have enough experience with VM ware to know what to do here. Any help would be appreciated.
So the C drive (os drive) in the disk management shows that the disk 0 type is basic. Can i Just change this to dynamic and then extend the c partition to the unallocated space? Or does the drive have to stay basic because it is a virtual machine with VMware.
I just don't have enough experience with VM ware to know what to do here. Any help would be appreciated.
ASKER
A disk doesn't have to be dynamic to expand partitions on it.
In your situation, what I would do, is to create a new virtual disk, then change the "Swap" partition over to it. Delete the old "Swap" partition and after that you can use diskmanagement to increase the size of C:.
Generally with Virtualization you shouldn't partition the virtual disks at all, but rather create separate virtual Disks. I'd also put the Data partition on a separate virtual disk...
In your situation, what I would do, is to create a new virtual disk, then change the "Swap" partition over to it. Delete the old "Swap" partition and after that you can use diskmanagement to increase the size of C:.
Generally with Virtualization you shouldn't partition the virtual disks at all, but rather create separate virtual Disks. I'd also put the Data partition on a separate virtual disk...
ASKER
Yeah I didn't set this up. Was pre-existing install. So I'm just trying to figure out my options. Its an hour and half away to drive there, but I have vpn and remote access into the server remotely.
I would look at creating new virtual disks, and moving data to these new disks.
ASKER
Ok, Andrew let me see if I have what you are saying as correct. So I am going to into the vsphere client and add a virtual drive there somehow? If I am looking at this correctly, it looks like there is 205.26 GB avail on the drive. Is that un-allocated space, ie there is room to create a virtual drive to transfer stuff?
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ASKER
ok, cool. so I created a new virtual drive. Just made it 30 gig, doubled the existing size of the swap drive. Plan on moving the swap over to the new drive. and then delete the old swap drive. that should free up 15 gig that I can then expand the C partition to using that space correct? I can't reboot during the day, so I'll have to wait till after hours tonight to make the switch over.
ASKER
thanks again. I'll get this VMware stuff figured out eventually....
These are treated the same as a physical server would be.
Can you upload a screenshot of your layout in your OS.
Could you not just delete the D: partition, Extend C:, and then re-create the D: partition?
moving what's on D: somewhere temp....
or add another disk....(which you can do live), move data from D: to E:, create/expand the C: drive, re-create and copy back ?