moving exchange database to another drive

[markdw]

Currently, my exchange server database is on the boot drive and is taking up 50% of the space on this drive.

Is there an easy way to move the database and folders to another drive on the same computer??

Many thanks in advance
Mark

 

[ToorboAlex]

Using MS Exchange Optimizer - it can moves any Exchange database to any drive or folder on the same computer.

 

[lanceja]

FYI: What ToorboAlex told you is what I did when my Exchange mailbox was filling up a hard drive. It worked perfectly with no problem at all. Have a couple of suggestions:
1. Make sure your the new location has enough space for the current database plus room for expansion

2. Do a complete backup prior to running the optimizer. It is probably not needed, but will not hurt.

Good luck to you.

 

[markdw]

Thanks!

When I run the optimiser, my server hangs completely. It manages to stop the exchange services, then it says it is going to do a check of the hard drives. It gets about 30% through and hangs completely.

There is only 65MB left on the C drive, but loads on the other drives (hence me wanting to move the database!).

Do you think the lack of space is the problem? any other suggestions?

Many thanks again, mark

 

[markdw]

Further to my last post, I searched the registry for the exchange database path and found 3 entries...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersPrivate

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersPrivate

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersPrivate

If I physically move the database folder and then change the values in the registry, do you think that will work?

Many thanks, Mark

 

[Grenage]

I wouldn't do that.

Temporarily move a few hundred megabytes of files (non-exchange related) over to another drive from C and then try the wizard again?

 

[lanceja]

Totally agree with Grenage. If you move the database files manually, you could mess up your EMail system. Like Grenage said, try to move as many files off C: as you can that are not system or exchange related.

 

[SerialCoder]

Where will I find Optimizer? Is this built into the Exchange Administration or is it an add-on?

Thanks

 

[jackofalltrades99]

the optimizer is located in the folder EXCHANGE\bin directory. The actual program name is perfwiz.exe.

Here is an article on running it:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/exchange/content/whitepapers/perfopt.asp

-good luck...........

 

[Trackhappy]

Optimiser is the right way to go. It is possible to change the reigstry and manually move the files, but there are more than 3 entries I think and it is dangerous. Are you sure the server is locking up? It does seem like it when the process gets going, but you will see disk activity. Try a chkdsk and defrag of the disk.

 

[markdw]

I am pretty sure the server locks up, numlock does nothing, hdd light is stuck on, and i waited approx 30 mins before giving up.
I havent yet tried moving a large amount of data off the c drive. I shall let you know the outcome when I try it.

 

[Trackhappy]

If you don't get Optimiser to work, first stop the services and see if you can copy the files to the other drive offline (keep the structure exactly the same). Usually c:\exchsrvr\mdbdata etc. That'll prove the drive is ok as far as access to the files and also give you a backup in case something nasty is happening. Get an image of the server first if you can and backup the registry. Then use regedit and search for c:\exchsrvr\mdbdata and replace just the drive letter with the new one. It does work, I have done it on the test bench.

 

[lanceja]

I still vote that you move files off the C: drive. If necessary uninstall programs.

When you are running the optimizer, are you are telling it a different drive to put the database on? If not, then is trying to keep everything on the C: drive which will lock up computer.

Also, how big is your Exchange database? Are the log files located on the same drive?