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Extend system partition on Server 2003 using Dell’s ExtPart

The normal method (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325590/en-US) using diskpart doesn’t work on the C drive. Supposedly if you can put in the server 2003 boot disc you can make it work, but I did not have that option.

Dell has a tool called ExtPart that may be able to help you, especially if you are working remotely. You can download it at the following link: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/driverdetails?driverid=R64398 (now located in Resources / Hard Drive & Partition Tools)

Make a backup of everything you can first, just in case.

  • Install the program which defaults to C:\Dell\ExtPart.
  • Reboot into SAFE MODE for it to work. It did not work in normal mode for me.
  • Use command prompt to navigate to inside that folder.
  • Run a command such as “extpart C: 5000″ where C: is the drive being extended and the number represents by how many megabytes.
  • It should say successful, and then reboot into normal mode and try it out.

This may also work on XP or 2000 servers but they must be 32 bit.

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