Convert Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk

[Danny Lai]

Hi,

I have a HP ML350, with 3 harddisk in Raid 5, installed with Win2k3 SP1. I've recently added 1 more harddisk to the server. I've already done the expansion portion and I can now see the disk under computer management. The problem is that now I realised that the server had been configured as Basic Disk. So I cannot allocate this new disk into the current partition. What can i do to convert to dynamic as the OS is also in the same Raid 5 as well.

Thank you
br
Danny

[Igor Karasik · Accepted solution]

Danny,
Do you have SmartArray controller on your ML350 ?

>> I've already done the expansion portion
How you did expansion ?

[Danny Lai]

Hi,

Yes. I used the array config tools to first add it into the array and then expand the logical drive. Now I do see a unallocated partition in disk management but I could not add it into the current data partition without destroying the data. Meaning I have to re-partition the data partition as this logical disk is a basic disk and not a dynamic disk. So I'm hoping that there is some workaround instead of having to re-partition and then restore from tape.

br
danny

[Igor Karasik]

Danny,
Ok, you have SmartArray - so you have hardware RAID.
In order to use unallocated space you need to use diskpart utility
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325590/en-us

But catch here: you cannot expand system volume (drive C:) with diskpart.
If you have only drive C: - you have problem and best way to solve it - backup/restore from tape
If you have drive D: on your RAID-5 array you can expand drive D: with diskpart

Anyway, convert basic disk to dynamic will not solve your problem. More, generally speaking dynamic disk with hardware RAID is not recommended. Stay with basic disk !

[Danny Lai]

Hi,

Thank you. Can this be done while the user is using the server or this can only be done during none office hour so that no one is accessing the server while diskpart is running.

br
danny

[Igor Karasik]

Danny,
diskpart can be running while server online, it takes about 2-3 minutes only.
I did this operation many times on windows 2000/windows 2003 servers without problems
But it's always good idea to have recent backup before any operation with servers

[Danny Lai]

Hi Igor,

I've tried it but the system keep prompting me that the volume size that I've selected is too large for the disk. I have 1 logical disk 0, with 3 partition C,D and E. I have an unallocated space of 136.72GB. I've select volume 2, which is D drive to extend and I've also specify size=50000MB, which is 50GB. So what can be the problem? Please advise.

br
Danny

[Igor Karasik]

Danny,

>>I've select volume 2, which is D drive to extend

You can extend only drive E:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325590/en-us

"...For Basic volumes, the unallocated space for the extension must be the next contiguous space on the same disk.
â ¢ For Dynamic Volumes, the unallocated space can be any empty space on any Dynamic disk on the system. "

I never use Dynamic volumes with hardware RAID and I would avoid dynamic disk usage. There are numerous posts throughout Internet forums concerning problems with dynamic disk using.

Anyway, if you decide to convert to dynamic disk I think you will be able use diskpart to extend drive D:\

[Danny Lai]

Hi Igor,

But the System partition C drive is together with the Raid 5. How can I convert to a dynamic disk in this case without affecting the OS. All C,D and E are in a single Logical Disk 0.

In my case, i need to extend Drive D so I guess I will have to try and convert to a dynamic disk or else I'll have to re-partition it. I'm trying to avoid that as I have Lotus Notes installed in D Drive. Hope that you can help.

Thank you
br
Danny

[Igor Karasik]

Danny,

>>But the System partition C drive is together with the Raid 5. How can I convert to a dynamic disk in this case without affecting the OS. All C,D and E are in a single Logical Disk 0.


You can convert whole RAID-5 to (include system Partition C:) dynamic disk . It's will not affect OS.
See these links:
Change a basic disk into a dynamic disk
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/421ca7ff-b4ee-4c34-a91c-c8db08695c7e1033.mspx?mfr=true
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Issue-Involved-Converting-Basic-Disks-Dynamic-Disks.html
And once again, I think dynamic disk is not good option when you use hardware RAID.

[Danny Lai]

Hi Igor,

Thank you so much for your help and advice. I have no choice but to convert it to a dynamic disk for now and managed to extend the Drive that I need. Will see if can do something about the settings in the future.

br
Danny

[Danny Lai]

Disk had been converted and extended. Thank you.