Windows XP x64: MBR vs. GPT partitions

[ramik]

I am building an Athlon 64 system, I have the choice to install Windows XP x64 (MSDN e-Academic license).

reading around, i found that the x64 uses GPT (GUID Partition Table) instead of the normal MBR. and that to convert a disk to that system you need to do a destructive format.

Currently I have two harddisks and both has a copy of WinXP SP2: one for everyday use and one for messing up with experiments, both disks have many partition with some that contain important data..

so my question: how can I install Win XP x64? can i just format the OS partition during the install process? or do i need to prepare a complete empty hard disk to install x64 on?

how did you install WinXP x64 on your systems?

Articles I read includes:

* http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/GPT_FAQ.mspx: it contains a paragraph saying that WinXP x64 cannot boot from MBR disks.

* http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1910: while this one says it's straight forward installation in the same way as installing xp dualboot after win2000.

Edited February 12, 2006 by ramik

[ripken204]

i just installed it on a partition i made for x64, just install it as you would 32bit