Jump to content

GPT, MBR, AHCI Win7: alphabet soup


videobruce

Recommended Posts

My situation;
1. Existing 1 TB HDD; partitioned 10GB w/XP, 600 GB for media, 300GB for program, photo & document storage.
2. Increase the 1st partition to 20-25GB from the 2nd partition (resize both & merge),
3. Load Win7 64 bit in the first, replacing XP.
4. Retain the 2nd & 3rd partitions without loosing data (it is backed up elsewhere).
5. Save a image of 'C' to install a mirror O/S on a SSD.
6. Using a MB with a UEFI BIOS set to AHCI.

Questions; I know the hidden partition is MBR, but, when & where does the choice of MBR vs GPT happen? I've loaded Win7 on a small SSD, but I didn't see any choices.

I know I can just wipe the existing drive, but I would prefer not to unless absolutely necessary. If for nothing else, gaining the experience of doing all of this.

The more I have read, the more confusion this seems to be. I had less trouble 13 years ago with Win98 on my first PC build.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Questions; I know the hidden partition is MBR, but, when & where does the choice of MBR vs GPT happen? I've loaded Win7 on a small SSD, but I didn't see any choices.

WHICH "hidden" partition? (you didn't list any). :w00t:

Your disk is clearly MBR (otherwise Windows XP won't boot from it).

The choice between MBR or GPT is presented when the disk is to be "initialized".

There is no real reason to have a GPT disk for a 1 Tb disk.

#5 is however not easily doable, you will need to change Disk Signature (and drive lettering in the Registry).

jaclaz

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To further clarify, a disk can either be MBR or GPT. Its kinda like how your car can either be manual or automatic. ;)

Of course, now I fully expect jaclaz to find an example of a car that has both types of transmissions. However any such vehicles owned by Red Green should not count. :w00t:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To further clarify, a disk can either be MBR or GPT. Its kinda like how your car can either be manual or automatic. ;)

Of course, now I fully expect jaclaz to find an example of a car that has both types of transmissions. However any such vehicles owned by Red Green should not count. :w00t:

Well, actually you really can have an hybrid MBR/GPT disk :whistle::

http://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk/hybrid.html

just like you can have an automatic transmission with the option of being used as manual. like:

http://wikicars.org/en/Semi-automatic_transmission

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manumatic

Mission accomplished! ;)

jaclaz

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...