Partition - Extend - Windows 2000 Pro

Hi,

Running out of space on my hard drive.

My C Drive is one-third of the Hard Drive space.

The rest of the two-third is unallocated.

I had orginaally planned to load linux on the unallocated space. Never got round to it.

How can I now extend the present C drive space by a further amount and

also create Drive ' D ' for saving some files.

I don't want to lose the data in the existing drive C

Appreciate some help.

Thanks

JM_

In reply to a post by JM_:

How can I now extend the present C drive space by a further amount and

also create Drive ' D ' for saving some files.

By using one of these programs or similar:

Acronis Disk Director 10.0
Norton PartitionMagic 8.0
Paragon Partition Manager 10 Personal

Before you resize your partitions I recommend you backup your data. This would be a preventative measure to ensure you remove the risk of data loss or corruption.

or gparted a free (open source) utility that runs as a boot disk

Hi,

Thanks for all those links. I will have a look at therm.

Jparted Free looks interesting.


JM

There is a Microsoft add-on tool which enhances Disk Management call diskpart.exe. This is what you need. I used it on Windows 2000 and it is easy, free and Microsoft supported.

Hi

rnewfie ,

Thanks for that info.

I am looking at the web site :

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fami...


I can't make out how to use it.

Do I just download it and set-up within the Windows 2000

or do I download it on a floppy and boot up the PC with the floppy ???

How did you use it ?

Thanks

JM

Hi,

Just looking at this further .

Do I need to download the above and also the following :

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?fami...


This refers to XP whereas I have got Windows 2000 Pro.

Thanks

JM

Hi,

I have not downloaded the above yet.

I have looked at the Computer Management.

it shows :

( C : )

7.66 GB NTFS Healthy System

11.48 GB Unallocated.


I 'd like to extend ( C drive ) to 16 GB

The rest 3.14 GB I'd like to create Drive D.

What steps do I have to take.

Also the unallocated space does not show whether it is NTFS. Does that matter.

Thanks

JM_

In reply to a post by JM_:

Hi,

Just looking at this further .

Do I need to download the above and also the following :

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?fami...


This refers to XP whereas I have got Windows 2000 Pro.

Thanks

JM

Here's what you need:

microsoft.com DiskPart.exe - Version for Windows 2000 Professional

In reply to a post by JM_:

Hi

rnewfie ,

Thanks for that info.

I am looking at the web site :

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fami...


I can't make out how to use it.

Do I just download it and set-up within the Windows 2000

or do I download it on a floppy and boot up the PC with the floppy ???

How did you use it ?

Thanks

JM

And here is the support page from Microsoft titled:
How to extend a data volume in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows 2000, and in Windows Server 2008

Microsoft make the following points:

Note In Windows XP and in Windows 2000, you cannot use Diskpart.exe to extend a simple volume on a Dynamic disk that was originally created on a Basic disk. You can extend only simple volumes that were created after the disk was upgraded to Dynamic disk. If you try to extend a simple volume on a Dynamic disk that was originally created on a Basic disk, you receive the following error message. This restriction was removed in Windows Server 2003.

Diskpart failed to extend the volume.
Please make sure the volume is valid for extending

Note You can only extend the boot partition in contiguous unallocated disk space.

Note We recommend that you contact your system vendor for updated BIOS, firmware, drivers, and agents before you convert to Dynamic disks.

Edited by cozumel (Tue 09-Jun-09 00:16:21)

In reply to a post by JM_:

Hi,

I have not downloaded the above yet.

I have looked at the Computer Management.

it shows :

( C : )

7.66 GB NTFS Healthy System

11.48 GB Unallocated.


I 'd like to extend ( C drive ) to 16 GB

The rest 3.14 GB I'd like to create Drive D.

What steps do I have to take.

Also the unallocated space does not show whether it is NTFS. Does that matter.

Thanks

JM_

I've actually never used Windows 2000. Gone through all other versions of Windows from version 3 to Vista. Also used DOS, DR-DOS and Linux too (currently typing this on a Linux/Vista dual-boot rig).

Anyhow, it's all basically the same. So here is some more information to help you further.

To extend your primary partition (drive C) from 7.66GB to 16GB you must use DiskPart as described in links provided in my previous posts. It is operated from within the command prompt. Open the command prompt and then type CD C:\program files\resource kit and press enter then type diskpart.

To create a second logical partition of 3GB (Drive D), you can also do this from the DiskPart command prompt. But it is probably far easier to use the graphical interface within Windows 2000 Disk Management. Follow the Microsoft instructions contained within HOW TO: Manage Drives and Partitions in Windows 2000. It is only about 10 clicks of your mouse button. The instructions also tell you how to format the new logical drive D and is only a further 2 clicks of your mouse.

Here are two more articles for you to read to increase your understanding and knowledge:
Comprehensive list of DiskPart commands
Disk Partitioning - Wikipedia

And don't forget to back-up all your data before you start changing your partitions!!

Edited by cozumel (Tue 09-Jun-09 13:03:47)

Hi cozumel,

Thanks for your posts.

There seems to be lots to learn !

I have not got back-up facility. I'll have to sort that out. Unless I risk it.

in the meantime I have downloaded Diskpart software from the link you have given.

I have tried out the two steps mentioned in your post

" To extend your primary partition (drive C) from 7.66GB to 16GB you must use DiskPart as described in links provided in my previous posts. It is operated from within the command prompt. Open the command prompt and then type CD C:\program files\resource kit and press enter then type diskpart. "

It then shows :

-----------------------------------

DISKPART >

what do I enter after that ?

-----------------------------------------

Also, from the Computer Management it shows

that the existing C drive is ' basic ' NTFS

the unallocated does not say anything.

Does that matter ?

=========================

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

JM

In reply to a post by JM_:

I have tried out the two steps mentioned in your post

" To extend your primary partition (drive C) from 7.66GB to 16GB you must use DiskPart as described in links provided in my previous posts. It is operated from within the command prompt. Open the command prompt and then type CD C:\program files\resource kit and press enter then type diskpart. "

It then shows :

-----------------------------------

DISKPART >

what do I enter after that ?

Type list volume and press enter

What is the response on screen?

Note: The fact that your unallocated space is not displayed on Computer Management is not important. Windows will not 'see' space that has not been allocated for use

Note 2: As for the back-up situation. Although there is no risk running the commands above, there will be in the next stages. Your data is at risk and you mentioned in your opening post how you did not want to lose data. Would it not be possible to save documents, photos etc to cd/dvd or email them to yourself to retrieve in case of loss? The instructions I am giving may not be correct as I have never used your operating system. I am basing my answers on my knowledge of other systems and the instructions given on the links I provided. I could make innacurrate suggestions (although I don't think I will), for which I accept no liability if any data is lost, corrupted or irretrievale. You accept full liability and sole responsility for any actions you take including following the advice or suggestions provided. Any subsequent losses are your liability alone.

Diskpart will not extend your system partition.

You will need to use gparted or similar.

Hi Cozumel,

Thank you for your assistance. I understand the precaution I should take. It will take me a while to save all the files. I'll try and have a go at saving the important files

Here is what is shown. I can't fit it all on one line :

Dispart > List Volume


Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size
Volume 0 D CD-Rom 0B
Volume 1 C NTSF Partition 7844 MB
Status Info

Volume 1 Healthy System

Microsoft Diskpart Version 5.1.3553

( Then there is a list of commands eg . EXTEND )
--------------------------------------------------------



Thanks

JM

Diskpart >

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
Volume 0 D CD-Rom 0B
Volume 1 C NTSF Partition 7844 MB Healthy System


------------------------------------
Posting again !
---------------------------------

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Diskpart will not extend your system partition.

You will need to use gparted or similar.

You could be right. Have you tried DiskPart to extend a partition? Anyway, it is worth a try as another poster said it does work...

In reply to a post by JM_:

Dispart > List Volume


Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size
Volume 0 D CD-Rom 0B
Volume 1 C NTSF Partition 7844 MB
Status Info

Volume 1 Healthy System

Microsoft Diskpart Version 5.1.3553

Okay then, to continue from the above point:

Type Select Volume 1
This command selects the volume that you will be managing. To confirm it is selected you could type 'list volume' again and you should have a star or a cross or asterisk next to Volume 1 (your drive C NTFS)

If all is good then do this:
Type Extend size=8540
This will (hopefully) add a further 8540MB to your existing drive C 7844MB to give a tolal of 16384MB=16GB (1024MB=1GB)

List volume again to see if it has worked (fingers crossed)

edit: Sorry for the delay. I went out last night....

Edited by cozumel (Wed 10-Jun-09 11:54:41)

Cozumel,

That's great.

Very clear.

I wasn't sure about the commands.

I'll have a go at saving some files and then have a go.

Thanks for all your help.

JM

It may not work as the unallocated space is not formatted. So, if it fails to extend we could try creating your second partition (formatted with NTFS) and then extending the size of drive C afterward. Not sure what comes first. The chicken or the egg lol And it still may not work...the anonymous dude has got me thinking...I'm sure it must be possible with the Microsoft tools though (it has to be).

Cozumel,

Thanks for the note.

I think when I originally loaded Window 2000, I had formatted the whole drive before partitioning using Window 98se set up floppy.

Thanks

JM

In reply to a post by cozumel:

In reply to a post by JM_:

Diskpart > List Volume


Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size
Volume 0 D CD-Rom 0B
Volume 1 C NTSF Partition 7844 MB
Status Info

Volume 1 Healthy System

Microsoft Diskpart Version 5.1.3553

Okay then, to continue from the above point:

Type Select Volume 1
This command selects the volume that you will be managing. To confirm it is selected you could type 'list volume' again and you should have a star or a cross or asterisk next to Volume 1 (your drive C NTFS)

If all is good then do this:
Type Extend size=8540
This will (hopefully) add a further 8540MB to your existing drive C 7844MB to give a tolal of 16384MB=16GB (1024MB=1GB)

List volume again to see if it has worked (fingers crossed)

edit: Sorry for the delay. I went out last night....

============================

Hi Cozumel,

At last -

" Successfully extended the volume "



Followed your instructions as above using Diskpart.

It has taken me a while, as I had to sort out back up of my files to another computer using networking.

So Diskpart has worked .



Thanks for all your help.

JM