How to expand a Windows 2003 Basic Disk and Partition

Issue:

You need to add disk space to a Windows 2003 Server with Basic disks.  The underlying LUNs that need expanding are being presented via a storage array on a SAN.

 

Solution:

1)      Expand the underlying Disk / LUN.

a.       This usually requires a SAN, and is specific to each storage array.  In general simply add space to the LUN presented to the server.

2)      Login to the Windows 2003 Server you just expanded the drive for.

a.       Start Disk Administrator and rescan the drives

                                                               i.      Make sure the drive shows new free space

b.      Start a command prompt

c.       Type “diskpart”

d.      Type “list volume”

e.       From the list note the number of the drive you expanded

f.        Type “select volume #”

g.       Type “extend”

h.       Type “exit”

i.         Type “exit” again

j.        Return to Disk Administrator and make sure the drive free space is now used by the partition.

k.      Close Disk Administrator

l.         Log off the server