I have a server running 2003 exchange. There is a virtual machine running on that box and I need to expand memory without losing the data, is there an easy way to accomplish this? Thanks Chuck

The Exchange server is a guest or you are running Virtual Server 2005 actually on the Exchange server? I guess you know that's not best practice or this is a lab but you're safe to shut down the guest, increase the memory configuration and restart the guest. "cg12510" wrote in message news:3a4225a5-d6fe-48f8-a80e-8d60d4a346f6... I have a server running 2003 exchange. There is a virtual machine running on that box and I need to expand memory without losing the data, is there an easy way to accomplish this? Thanks Chuck Mark Arnold, Exchange MVP.

You mean you need to increase RAM or disk space? Mark Morowczynski|MCT| MCSE 2003:Messaging, Security|MCITP:EMA 2K7,EDA Win 7,ES,SA,EA|MCTS:Windows Mobile Admin|Security+|http://almostdailytech.com

1. Shutdown Guest OS 2. shutdown Host OS 3. add memory / hdd 4. start host OS 5. if you add new hdd, move virtual disk to new hdd and start your guest OS 6. if you add memory, adjust new memory for guest OS and start your guest OS

Thanks for the response, I inherited this mess when the other guy quit the company. Anyway I need to increase the size of the virtual machine, I have plenty of disk space on the main machine just not the VM if that makes sense.. Thanks

The easiest way would be to create a new virtual hard disk that has enough space, which can often be done hot without having to shutdown the virtual server, then move the Exchange databases to the new drive. The old drive can then be removed or simply left in place. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821915 Do put the databases in a directory, not in the root of the drive. Then you will clearly see what they are. Don't try and change the drive letters though, that would break Exchange. Simon.Simon Butler, Exchange MVP. http://blog.sembee.co.uk , http://exbpa.com/