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Thread ID: 89730 2008-05-10 04:00:00 Resizing partitions on mirrored drives? Murray P (44) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
667869 2008-05-10 04:00:00 I need to resize C: as it's getting a wee bit tight .

OS is WinXP 64bit .

I have 2 SATA HDDs mirrored in RAID (hardware) divided into 3 working partitions: system, work data and stuff such as software, pics, etc, plus a chunk of unallocated space that is larger than the sum of the other 3 .

I thought I was being clever having all that unallocated space in hand for future growth, but it turns out that I can't use Acronis, for e . g . to image the partition grow it then re-image because it does not recognise RAID mirrors .


Is anyone aware of any utilities that will safely(ish) resize, image or clone mirrored RAID partitions?

Any other ideas, or am I in for a fresh install .


BTW, I tried using a live Linux CD to use Gparted, but it won't load due to the RAID, not even the RAM drive . Very very sad, can't even run Linus on this machine, I wanna cry . So if you have any help in that direction, that would also be appreciated .

Failing all that, how about a hug .
Murray P (44)
667870 2008-05-10 04:47:00 This might (www.paragon-software.com)

Well it says it supports RAID. Dont know if the trial will do what you want tho.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
667871 2008-05-10 05:09:00 I would imagine, break the mirror.

Use something like gparted(free util) or other to resize.

Re-establish the mirror.

Always a risk in doing this type of thing, best do a full backup of any relevant data.
Battleneter2 (9361)
667872 2008-05-10 07:19:00 Cheers Speedy, I'll check it out thoroughly later, but after a brief look it seems I'll need a version at $200 + NZD. Ouch! No idea if the trial will do, at that price you'd expect to be able to test it thoroughly and, if it works it would be worth the price for the other capabilities.


BAttleneter2, I wasn't aware I could break the mirror without incurring severe bad luck and data loss. Just how risky is it, would it be safer to reinstall Win and resize C at that point?
Murray P (44)
667873 2008-05-10 11:10:00 No go with Paragon. It turns out their trial software is only a non=functional demo. I hate misleading information and advertising, so on principle will not buy nor recommend their software.

They'll be sorry, I will send them a very stern email.
Murray P (44)
667874 2008-05-10 12:56:00 BAttleneter2, I wasn't aware I could break the mirror without incurring severe bad luck and data loss. Just how risky is it, would it be safer to reinstall Win and resize C at that point?

Its semi safe and depends on your hardware, most controllers should allow you to do it. A quick google...


www.edbott.com
Battleneter2 (9361)
667875 2008-05-18 12:35:00 Sorry not to get back, been busy .

Quick update, I've used Parted and Gparted before with Linus distros, this time I downloaded it as a live CD, to test prior to breaking the mirror . Unfortunately it fails on starting X, doesn't detect my 22" wide screen . Have had similar problems with Linux, so if anyone has a solution for a Viewsonic 22" LCD on a nVidia 8800GTS (640mb) let me know



Any RAID and LCD wide screen friendly distros out there would be gratefully accepted, even Fedora or a cut down utility version, natch! Mepis for e . g . complains about RAID, which is strange because it shouldn't bother a RAM drive, but there it is .
Murray P (44)
667876 2008-05-18 13:19:00 There should be a "Safe Graphics Mode" you can choose on-boot. Otherwise when X loads, hit Ctrl + Alt + -
Should shrink the screen res a little, might help :)
Chilling_Silence (9)
667877 2008-05-19 03:01:00 Live CD versions often have options like "screen=1024x768' which you can type to the "boot:" prompt if you have video problems. F1, F2, etc might show options. Graham L (2)
667878 2008-05-19 03:36:00 Thanks guys.

Safe graphics mode is a no go, nor does setting the resolution work (1680 x 1050, nor 1024 x 768).

It throws a fatal server error: no screen found; X10 error: 104, everything comes up 0 and; Xauth error: error in locking authority in file /blah blah blah/ .Xauthority.

X Window version is 7.1.1 (May 2006) surely that's not too old to detect my screen.

I have two CRTs I could plug in, but I'm an obstinate, nose-less, old cuss.
Murray P (44)
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