[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]
On 04/04/13 00:56, Julian Hall wrote: > On 29/03/2013 23:08, Julian Hall wrote: >> On 29/03/2013 17:12, Julian Hall wrote: >>> Hi All, >>> >>> I had the below query from a friend. Sounds odd to me. Is there >>> any reason Linux boot CDs wouldn't work while Windows ones will? >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> Julian >> Thanks for the advice everyone :) I've distilled the main points >> into an email to him and I'll let you know how we get on. >> >> Julian >> > Hi All, > > Just to close the book on this one. It turns out that data retention > wasn't an issue which made things a lot easier. This is for anyone > who only has access to Windows, hence the OT amendment to the subject. > > All that was required was a.n.other disk partition manager to remove > all the partitions currently on the system. Windows XP will not even > see the drive so must be done in Windows 7. I used AOMEI Partition > Assistant Home Edition, but any partition software will do. > > Once all partitions are gone, close the partitioning software as it's > unlikely to have the 'Convert GPT to MBR' option enabled unless you've > paid for it.. anyway you don't need it. > > Then basically follow the instructions here - > http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html > > In short Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - > Disk Management > > Right click the (now entirely unallocated) disk and choose Convert to > MBR disk. > > (If you've read the webpage and are wondering why I didn't follow step > 5 and used disk partition software instead, that's the first thing I > tried.. Windows wouldn't let me remove all the partitions.. so I did > it this way.. YMMW on that :)) > > Cheers, > > Julian > Just so you know, the Windows RE (Recovery Environment) media can do this via the diskpart command (you'll probably also need bcdedit and friends to finish the job). Fdisk doesn't support GPT partitions, although it can recognise and often read them, but parted does just fine - the gparted live media would be my recommendation for all your disk editing and partitioning needs outside of the weird world of custom Unix systems disk management (Solaris, AIX, HP-UX and so on all have rather 'exotic' schemes compared to simple Linux/Windows on x86). Macs have been all GPT for years although Hackintoshes are MBR-based. >> Once all partitions are gone, close the partitioning software as it's unlikely to have the 'Convert GPT to MBR' option enabled unless you've paid for it.. anyway you don't need it. People pay for partitioning software?! Regards -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq