Arch Linux

n1l5

Member

Registered: 2015-12-31

Posts: 31

Installation guide: Use of GPT on system with BIOS

Hello All,

Are there any other requirements for using GPT on a BIOS system running a single boot ArchLinux, other than generating the 31 KiB BIOS boot partition for GRUB to imbed its core.img into? The Partitioning page of ArchWiki states: "If you are installing on older hardware, especially on old laptops, consider choosing MBR because its BIOS might not support GPT." Is the support of GPT by a BIOS version determined empirically, or is there a list of BIOS versions which support GPR?

Thank you for your time,

Nils

loqs

Member

Registered: 2014-03-06

Posts: 19,113

Re: Installation guide: Use of GPT on system with BIOS

If a motherboard supports EFI it will support GPT if the motherboard does not support EFI check the manual or test.

n1l5

Member

Registered: 2015-12-31

Posts: 31

Re: Installation guide: Use of GPT on system with BIOS

I will check this. Thank you.

Nils

nl6720

The Evil Wiki Admin

Registered: 2016-07-02

Posts: 718

Re: Installation guide: Use of GPT on system with BIOS

If a motherboard supports EFI it will support GPT

It will support UEFI/GPT booting but it might not support BIOS/GPT booting since that booting method is not used by Windows (the only thing manufacturers care about).

sevendogs

Member

From: Texas

Registered: 2016-01-24

Posts: 220

Re: Installation guide: Use of GPT on system with BIOS

I run this very setup on my HP z800. It's a "hybrid" so to speak in that it is BIOS but supports gpt.  I have a small "bios boot" partition and a normal "/" and swap. Works perfectly.  Getting ready to build a new machine so will have to learn how to deal with UEFI...

When I do an install, I follow the bios/mbr instructions but make a small (5 meg?) partition with the  bios boot flag.

Last edited by sevendogs (2018-07-24 02:40:10)

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