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#1 2009-01-14 03:01:35

Ranguvar
Member
Registered: 2008-08-12
Posts: 2,544

[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 smile

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 smile 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)

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#2 2009-09-22 12:32:29

axelgenus
Member
From: Italy
Registered: 2007-04-15
Posts: 100
Website

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

Nope, it's impossible.

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#3 2009-09-22 12:37:25

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)

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#4 2009-09-22 20:14:46

Ranguvar
Member
Registered: 2008-08-12
Posts: 2,544

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

Before someone interjects about ancient posts, thank you scio big_smile

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

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#5 2014-01-06 16:38:52

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


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

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#6 2014-01-06 16:48:30

ewaller
Administrator
From: Pasadena, CA
Registered: 2009-07-13
Posts: 19,739

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

danilo wrote:

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 hmm
Anyway, I am closing this thread.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fo … Bumping.22


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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