The DiskPart.exe utility cannot extend a logical drive in an extended partition in Windows Server 2003 (841650)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Windows Server 2003 DiskPart.exe utility to extend a logical drive in an extended partition on a basic disk, you may receive the following error message after you select the volume and issue an extend command:
The volume you have selected may not be extended.
Please select another volume and try again.


Note To extend a logical drive on a basic disk, there must be unallocated free space in the extended partition that immediately follows the logical drive. If the logical drive is the last logical drive in the extended partition, there must be unallocated free space that immediately follows the extended partition.

CAUSE

This problem is a regression from Microsoft Windows 2000. In Windows 2000, the DiskPart.exe utility does not consider the free space that follows an extended partition to be usable free space.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   30-Apr-2004  19:03  5.2.3790.169      167,424  Diskpart.exe     
   30-Apr-2004  19:47  5.2.3790.169      107,008  Vdsbas.dll       

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, move the basic disk to Windows 2000, and then extend the logical drive. To acquire the Windows 2000 DiskPart.exe utility, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

The DiskPart.exe utility works correctly in Windows 2000 and can successfully extend a logical drive or an extended partition.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/31/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbWinServ2003preSP1fix KB841650