Arch Linux

Ranguvar

Member

Registered: 2008-08-12

Posts: 2,549

[SOLVED] Convert MBR to GPT without data loss

I'm 95% sure this is not possible, but what the hey, I'll ask, because it's going to take me quite a while to consolidate my backups into one, and then store that while I reformat

Why GPT? MBR is old and crusty, MBR (even with LVM and extended partitions, which can act as dirty hacks around the 4-partition limit) is very limiting if you want many different OSen, and I'd like to install OS X as well (_purely_ to hack on it and gain a true platform to critique it, my conscience won't let me really use it), which is much simpler when using GPT (OS X on a PC is already a poorly documented nightmare, GPT simplifies things).

So, if anyone has heard of ways to convert MBR -> GPT, please let me know Also, if anyone knows why this is impossible / hard to do? After all, it's only the partition table, right?

Last edited by Ranguvar (2009-09-22 20:14:55)

axelgenus

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2007-04-15

Posts: 100

Website

Re: [SOLVED] Convert MBR to GPT without data loss

Nope, it's impossible.

scio

Member

From: Buffalo, NY

Registered: 2008-08-05

Posts: 366

Re: [SOLVED] Convert MBR to GPT without data loss

I did it a few days ago, works great.

Get the sector layout of your current table (parted p I think)
Create the new GPT, match the layout, voila, no loss.
I used http://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk/ before I realized parted could do what I wanted if I compiled from git.

Edit:  Oh, the risk is totally hosing your drive, and make sure to leave some space at the beginning to embed GRUB2 and let GPT store the structures it needs. (http://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk/mbr2gpt.html)

Last edited by scio (2009-09-22 12:39:06)

Ranguvar

Member

Registered: 2008-08-12

Posts: 2,549

Re: [SOLVED] Convert MBR to GPT without data loss

Before someone interjects about ancient posts, thank you scio

I have no need of this anymore, but it may be useful to others.

danilo

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2010-12-10

Posts: 25

Website

Re: [SOLVED] Convert MBR to GPT without data loss

Actually it seems to be possible using gdisk: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GU … MBR_to_GPT

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"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows." - George Orwell

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,230

Re: [SOLVED] Convert MBR to GPT without data loss

Actually it seems to be possible using gdisk: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GU … MBR_to_GPT

That may be true, but....

After five years, I don't think the original poster cares anymore.  Of course, I could be wrong
Anyway, I am closing this thread.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fo … Bumping.22

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
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