Extend Server2003 Basic System Volume

This is a quick tip in case you ever run up against needing to extend a Server 2003 volume that is both:

1.) A basic volume
2.) The system volume

I recently had to do this to a virtual machine:

1.) Boot from Server 2008 installation media:
***That's right, Server 2008.   The diskpart command on Server 2003 media WILL NOT get the job done.
2.) DO NOT start the installation, but launch the recovery console:

3.) Launch the Command Prompt

 

4.) Use the following commands in the command prompt:

      a.)diskpart     (will launch the diskpart utility in the command prompt)

      b.)list disk      (will list all disks in the system)

      c.)select disk #   (where # represents the numerical of the disk that you are trying to extend found from the above command)

      d.)list volume  (will list all volumes on the selected disk)

      e.)select volume #   (where # represents the volume that you wish to extend found from the above command)

       f.)extend    

***The process might take some time depending on the amount of space you are extending, but it should complete in a relatively short amount of time.

5.) Reboot the OS and you should be good to go.

***One last note is that the empty space must be on the same disk and contiguous (right next to) with the volume that you wish to expand; IF it is a basic disk.