Need to re-partition drive with system partion

[JohnB]

This is an older Dell Server running Server 2000. Two 34 gb drives are
mirrored, with the OS on a 4 gb partition.

What do you recommended for re-partitioning software?

Is it as simple as breaking the mirror, re-partitioning the drive, and then
recreating the mirror?

Thanks

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

You can prolong the life of your 2000 server by purchasing just two decent
drives, 500GB and above. You would need imaging software rather then
re-partitioning software. In fact, imaging software usually contains
re-partitioning utilities. If you buy Seagate/Maxtor disk, you could get
Seagate version of Acronis True Image Home for free (check if it's still
available). This version works only if your system contains at least one
eligible Seagate/Maxtor disk. Other disk manufacturers may also have some
free imaging software for their products. Ghost also works well with 2000.
But today you've got Windows AIK and MDT, free from Microsoft.

Whichever solution you chhose, you would basically do the following:
- Image your old system partition (4GB).
- Image or backup your data partition (32GB).
- Remove old disks and keep them in a safe place, just in case.
- Install new disks. If you've got a hardware mirror, establish a mirror.
- Partition your disk as you wish (for example, 100GB is enough for OS).
- Apply the image you took in first step
- Apply image or restore data partition from the second step above.

As far as partitioning of new drives is concerned, you may use diskpart from
any Windows boot media. My favorite is Windows PE from Windows AIK and MDT.



"JohnB" wrote in message
news:e2BW%23qVPKHA.4700@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> This is an older Dell Server running Server 2000. Two 34 gb drives are
> mirrored, with the OS on a 4 gb partition.
>
> What do you recommended for re-partitioning software?
>
> Is it as simple as breaking the mirror, re-partitioning the drive, and
> then recreating the mirror?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
>
>
>

 

[JohnB]

I have a copy of Acronis True Image Home... I forgot that it can partition
drives. I'll most likely go that route, management isn't going to want to
spend money on this old box for 2 large SCSI drives.
Thanks


"Dusko Savatovic" wrote in message
news:O%23l2lNWPKHA.5108@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> You can prolong the life of your 2000 server by purchasing just two decent
> drives, 500GB and above. You would need imaging software rather then
> re-partitioning software. In fact, imaging software usually contains
> re-partitioning utilities. If you buy Seagate/Maxtor disk, you could get
> Seagate version of Acronis True Image Home for free (check if it's still
> available). This version works only if your system contains at least one
> eligible Seagate/Maxtor disk. Other disk manufacturers may also have some
> free imaging software for their products. Ghost also works well with 2000.
> But today you've got Windows AIK and MDT, free from Microsoft.
>
> Whichever solution you chhose, you would basically do the following:
> - Image your old system partition (4GB).
> - Image or backup your data partition (32GB).
> - Remove old disks and keep them in a safe place, just in case.
> - Install new disks. If you've got a hardware mirror, establish a mirror.
> - Partition your disk as you wish (for example, 100GB is enough for OS).
> - Apply the image you took in first step
> - Apply image or restore data partition from the second step above.
>
> As far as partitioning of new drives is concerned, you may use diskpart
> from any Windows boot media. My favorite is Windows PE from Windows AIK
> and MDT.
>
>
>
> "JohnB" wrote in message
> news:e2BW%23qVPKHA.4700@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> This is an older Dell Server running Server 2000. Two 34 gb drives are
>> mirrored, with the OS on a 4 gb partition.
>>
>> What do you recommended for re-partitioning software?
>>
>> Is it as simple as breaking the mirror, re-partitioning the drive, and
>> then recreating the mirror?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a home
version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an Acronis
Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is a fairly safe
operation, accidents do happen. If losing the installation creates a big
headache then you must first back it up, then check that you could restore
the backup.

As an alternative you could use a process that requires a spare disk and a
Bart PE boot CD. The process is free and also absolutely risk-free but it
requires a bit of an effort to make the Bart PE CD. Post again if you need
to know more details.


"JohnB" wrote in message
news:uIU2qLfPKHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>I have a copy of Acronis True Image Home... I forgot that it can partition
>drives. I'll most likely go that route, management isn't going to want to
>spend money on this old box for 2 large SCSI drives.
> Thanks
>
>
> "Dusko Savatovic" wrote in message
> news:O%23l2lNWPKHA.5108@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> You can prolong the life of your 2000 server by purchasing just two
>> decent drives, 500GB and above. You would need imaging software rather
>> then re-partitioning software. In fact, imaging software usually contains
>> re-partitioning utilities. If you buy Seagate/Maxtor disk, you could get
>> Seagate version of Acronis True Image Home for free (check if it's still
>> available). This version works only if your system contains at least one
>> eligible Seagate/Maxtor disk. Other disk manufacturers may also have some
>> free imaging software for their products. Ghost also works well with
>> 2000. But today you've got Windows AIK and MDT, free from Microsoft.
>>
>> Whichever solution you chhose, you would basically do the following:
>> - Image your old system partition (4GB).
>> - Image or backup your data partition (32GB).
>> - Remove old disks and keep them in a safe place, just in case.
>> - Install new disks. If you've got a hardware mirror, establish a mirror.
>> - Partition your disk as you wish (for example, 100GB is enough for OS).
>> - Apply the image you took in first step
>> - Apply image or restore data partition from the second step above.
>>
>> As far as partitioning of new drives is concerned, you may use diskpart
>> from any Windows boot media. My favorite is Windows PE from Windows AIK
>> and MDT.
>>
>>
>>
>> "JohnB" wrote in message
>> news:e2BW%23qVPKHA.4700@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> This is an older Dell Server running Server 2000. Two 34 gb drives are
>>> mirrored, with the OS on a 4 gb partition.
>>>
>>> What do you recommended for re-partitioning software?
>>>
>>> Is it as simple as breaking the mirror, re-partitioning the drive, and
>>> then recreating the mirror?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[JohnB]

I'm glad I saw this. I want the "low risk, or no risk" solution for this
project -)

I've never done the BartPE thing before. But after reading about it, I
think I need to learn how. I found the Nu2.nu site. There's instructions
on there. Is there anything I need to be aware of, having never done this.
Just follow the instructions?


Thanks



"Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message
news:ebbTTyfPKHA.1876@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a home
> version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an Acronis
> Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is a fairly safe
> operation, accidents do happen. If losing the installation creates a big
> headache then you must first back it up, then check that you could restore
> the backup.
>
> As an alternative you could use a process that requires a spare disk and a
> Bart PE boot CD. The process is free and also absolutely risk-free but it
> requires a bit of an effort to make the Bart PE CD. Post again if you need
> to know more details.
>
>
> "JohnB" wrote in message
> news:uIU2qLfPKHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>I have a copy of Acronis True Image Home... I forgot that it can partition
>>drives. I'll most likely go that route, management isn't going to want to
>>spend money on this old box for 2 large SCSI drives.
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> "Dusko Savatovic" wrote in message
>> news:O%23l2lNWPKHA.5108@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> You can prolong the life of your 2000 server by purchasing just two
>>> decent drives, 500GB and above. You would need imaging software rather
>>> then re-partitioning software. In fact, imaging software usually
>>> contains re-partitioning utilities. If you buy Seagate/Maxtor disk, you
>>> could get Seagate version of Acronis True Image Home for free (check if
>>> it's still available). This version works only if your system contains
>>> at least one eligible Seagate/Maxtor disk. Other disk manufacturers may
>>> also have some free imaging software for their products. Ghost also
>>> works well with 2000. But today you've got Windows AIK and MDT, free
>>> from Microsoft.
>>>
>>> Whichever solution you chhose, you would basically do the following:
>>> - Image your old system partition (4GB).
>>> - Image or backup your data partition (32GB).
>>> - Remove old disks and keep them in a safe place, just in case.
>>> - Install new disks. If you've got a hardware mirror, establish a
>>> mirror.
>>> - Partition your disk as you wish (for example, 100GB is enough for OS).
>>> - Apply the image you took in first step
>>> - Apply image or restore data partition from the second step above.
>>>
>>> As far as partitioning of new drives is concerned, you may use diskpart
>>> from any Windows boot media. My favorite is Windows PE from Windows AIK
>>> and MDT.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "JohnB" wrote in message
>>> news:e2BW%23qVPKHA.4700@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> This is an older Dell Server running Server 2000. Two 34 gb drives are
>>>> mirrored, with the OS on a 4 gb partition.
>>>>
>>>> What do you recommended for re-partitioning software?
>>>>
>>>> Is it as simple as breaking the mirror, re-partitioning the drive, and
>>>> then recreating the mirror?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Yes, follow the instructions on the Nu2 site. Some people claim that they
can create the CD in half an hour. It took me about two hours to wrap my
mind around the concept.

Here is the recipe to clone your disk:
1. Connect a spare disk as a slave to your server.
2. Start Server 2000.
3. Partition & format the spare disk.
4. Mark its primary partition "active".
5. Put a copy of robocopy.exe on the server disk.
6. Boot the machine with your Bart PE boot CD.
7. Open a Command Prompt.
8. Use robocopy.exe to copy the server partition(s) to the spare disk.
9. Disconnect the Server 2000 disk (this is important!).
10. Make the spare disk the primary master disk.
11. Boot up.
This method is obviously risk-free because you do not change the original
disk in any way. If the installation on the spare disk does not work, so
what? If it works then you can go through the above steps once more if you
wish: Repartition the server disk, then copy the whole lot back again. Just
remember: Do not launch Windows with both disks connected!

"JohnB" wrote in message
news:%23Q2xRTgPKHA.2092@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> I'm glad I saw this. I want the "low risk, or no risk" solution for this
> project -)
>
> I've never done the BartPE thing before. But after reading about it, I
> think I need to learn how. I found the Nu2.nu site. There's instructions
> on there. Is there anything I need to be aware of, having never done
> this. Just follow the instructions?
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> "Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message
> news:ebbTTyfPKHA.1876@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a home
>> version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an Acronis
>> Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is a fairly
>> safe operation, accidents do happen. If losing the installation creates a
>> big headache then you must first back it up, then check that you could
>> restore the backup.
>>
>> As an alternative you could use a process that requires a spare disk and
>> a Bart PE boot CD. The process is free and also absolutely risk-free but
>> it requires a bit of an effort to make the Bart PE CD. Post again if you
>> need to know more details.
>>
>>
>> "JohnB" wrote in message
>> news:uIU2qLfPKHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>I have a copy of Acronis True Image Home... I forgot that it can
>>>partition drives. I'll most likely go that route, management isn't going
>>>to want to spend money on this old box for 2 large SCSI drives.
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>> "Dusko Savatovic" wrote in message
>>> news:O%23l2lNWPKHA.5108@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>>> You can prolong the life of your 2000 server by purchasing just two
>>>> decent drives, 500GB and above. You would need imaging software rather
>>>> then re-partitioning software. In fact, imaging software usually
>>>> contains re-partitioning utilities. If you buy Seagate/Maxtor disk, you
>>>> could get Seagate version of Acronis True Image Home for free (check if
>>>> it's still available). This version works only if your system contains
>>>> at least one eligible Seagate/Maxtor disk. Other disk manufacturers may
>>>> also have some free imaging software for their products. Ghost also
>>>> works well with 2000. But today you've got Windows AIK and MDT, free
>>>> from Microsoft.
>>>>
>>>> Whichever solution you chhose, you would basically do the following:
>>>> - Image your old system partition (4GB).
>>>> - Image or backup your data partition (32GB).
>>>> - Remove old disks and keep them in a safe place, just in case.
>>>> - Install new disks. If you've got a hardware mirror, establish a
>>>> mirror.
>>>> - Partition your disk as you wish (for example, 100GB is enough for
>>>> OS).
>>>> - Apply the image you took in first step
>>>> - Apply image or restore data partition from the second step above.
>>>>
>>>> As far as partitioning of new drives is concerned, you may use diskpart
>>>> from any Windows boot media. My favorite is Windows PE from Windows AIK
>>>> and MDT.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "JohnB" wrote in message
>>>> news:e2BW%23qVPKHA.4700@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> This is an older Dell Server running Server 2000. Two 34 gb drives
>>>>> are mirrored, with the OS on a 4 gb partition.
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you recommended for re-partitioning software?
>>>>>
>>>>> Is it as simple as breaking the mirror, re-partitioning the drive, and
>>>>> then recreating the mirror?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Grant Taylor]

On 09/25/09 11:23, Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
> TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a
> home version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an
> Acronis Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is
> a fairly safe operation, accidents do happen. If losing the
> installation creates a big headache then you must first back it up,
> then check that you could restore the backup.

TrueImage Home will not install on a server machine. However you can
install it on a non-server machine and have it create a boot CD image
that will work on a server system.

Using the boot CD to copy from one (set of) drive(s) to another is
trivial and has virtually no risk involved. (The only risk that you
really face is if you need to power the system down to trade hard drives
and run the risk of a drive not powering back up. But you will have
this with just about any operation you do.)



Grant. . . .

 

[JohnB]

I would be using the same drives.

I already have the bood CD. So is this just a matter of imaging the drive,
getting both partitions, and restore the image, at the same time choosing a
different partition size?
In other words:
1. break the mirror
2. image drive 1, both partitions
3. restore the images back to drive 2, changing the partition size
4. and then re-mirror the drives?


"Grant Taylor" wrote in message
news:h9j5f3$27kf$1@tranq7.tranquility.net...
> On 09/25/09 11:23, Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>> TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a home
>> version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an Acronis
>> Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is a fairly
>> safe operation, accidents do happen. If losing the installation creates a
>> big headache then you must first back it up, then check that you could
>> restore the backup.
>
> TrueImage Home will not install on a server machine. However you can
> install it on a non-server machine and have it create a boot CD image that
> will work on a server system.
>
> Using the boot CD to copy from one (set of) drive(s) to another is trivial
> and has virtually no risk involved. (The only risk that you really face
> is if you need to power the system down to trade hard drives and run the
> risk of a drive not powering back up. But you will have this with just
> about any operation you do.)
>
>
>
> Grant. . . .

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

"Grant Taylor" wrote in message
news:h9j5f3$27kf$1@tranq7.tranquility.net...
> On 09/25/09 11:23, Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>> TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a home
>> version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an Acronis
>> Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is a fairly
>> safe operation, accidents do happen. If losing the installation creates a
>> big headache then you must first back it up, then check that you could
>> restore the backup.
>
> TrueImage Home will not install on a server machine. However you can
> install it on a non-server machine and have it create a boot CD image that
> will work on a server system.
>
> Using the boot CD to copy from one (set of) drive(s) to another is trivial
> and has virtually no risk involved. (The only risk that you really face
> is if you need to power the system down to trade hard drives and run the
> risk of a drive not powering back up. But you will have this with just
> about any operation you do.)
>
> Grant. . . .

Thanks for confirming what I said about using TrueImage Home on a server
installation.

I beg to disagree with your claim that there is "virtually no risk" in
resizing disk partitions. Partition manipulation is a highly intrusive
process and it can fail for a number of reasons. I have seen several file
systems that were ruined during the partition resizing process. The most
common is a pre-existing problem with the file structure or partition table.
On the other hand I have done it a great many times . . .

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Yes, this is correct.


"JohnB" wrote in message
news:OlYeSzhPKHA.5108@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>I would be using the same drives.
>
> I already have the bood CD. So is this just a matter of imaging the
> drive, getting both partitions, and restore the image, at the same time
> choosing a different partition size?
> In other words:
> 1. break the mirror
> 2. image drive 1, both partitions
> 3. restore the images back to drive 2, changing the partition size
> 4. and then re-mirror the drives?
>
>
> "Grant Taylor" wrote in message
> news:h9j5f3$27kf$1@tranq7.tranquility.net...
>> On 09/25/09 11:23, Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>>> TrueImage will probably not install on your server because it is a home
>>> version. However, you should be able to boot the machine with an Acronis
>>> Recovery CD, then change your partition sizes. While this is a fairly
>>> safe operation, accidents do happen. If losing the installation creates
>>> a big headache then you must first back it up, then check that you could
>>> restore the backup.
>>
>> TrueImage Home will not install on a server machine. However you can
>> install it on a non-server machine and have it create a boot CD image
>> that will work on a server system.
>>
>> Using the boot CD to copy from one (set of) drive(s) to another is
>> trivial and has virtually no risk involved. (The only risk that you
>> really face is if you need to power the system down to trade hard drives
>> and run the risk of a drive not powering back up. But you will have this
>> with just about any operation you do.)
>>
>>
>>
>> Grant. . . .
>
>