minimize downtime on reformat and partition of Harddrive

[Chi Tran]

Hi,
I want to know is it possible to restore the entire
server's data, including Windows' setting from a backup to
the re format and partition drive.

I have a Windows 2000 Server with Partiton C: have 4GB and
partition F: has 31GB. Right now my C: drive space is
having only 420MB of free space, which is dangerous low. I
want to move some of the free space on the F to the C,
however base on what I was informed, that is almost
impossible.

I am thinking to repartition the hard drive, and I believe
that would require reformating the drive. My biggest
concern is that I have to reinstall and reconfigure
Windows and all other applications on the server, which
can result in downtime and network problem. We only have
1 server and it is function as a Terminal server, File
Server, and Application Server. I using veritas software
to backup all the drive on my server.

Any suggestion is greatly appreciate.

Thanks
Chi Tran

 

[Bjorn Landemoo]

Chi

Powerquest Volume Manager supports resizing partitions on the fly. Compare
the price with the amount of time needed for a backup and restore.

Best regards

Bjorn

 

[Chi Tran]

Bjorn,
Thank for the info about Powerquest. My F: drive have
only 6GB left, and since the price of PowerQuest cost is
closer to the price of the cost upgrading a new hard drive
that would give twice the capacity of the current drive,
I wonder would it be better to upgrade the hardrive and
copy all data and sentting of the old drive to the new
drive, it that work.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

Chi Tran

 

[Bjorn Landemoo]

Chi

If you go the backup and restore track, this MS Knowledge Base article
might help:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=249694

Best regards

Bjorn