Converting GPT to MBR

[Nifty Fedora Mitch]

On Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 08:20:07AM -0700, Markus Kesaromous wrote:
> Subject: Converting GPT to MBR
> 
> 
> Second try to find an answer...
> Hi all,
> I purchased a 1.5 TB HD, and I used gparted to create 4 partitions (GPT),
> without knowing that winx XP (32) cannot access GPT. Among the
> is a vfat partition which I mount under winxp - acts as a way to
> share files on a dual boot system. However, windows cannot see
> any partitions on this disk.
>  
> Now I would like to convert these partitions to MBR type of partitions
> without losing the filesystems (data) in each partition.
> I have no second disk to back up these partitions to.
>  
> Is it possible to make this conversion? How?

CAUTION there be dragons here.

Windows XP (32) looks problematic.  For other flavors I am not sure that conversion is necessary.

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

Step ONE is make a backup in a way that you know, understand and can verify.

The Wikipedia article indicates that partitions are LBA specified so
knowing the LBA begin and end may make it possible to specify LBA 
in the GPT table and end up with a 1:1 equivalent map.

If I recall there are two partition tools one of which will round
all LBA tables to even multiples of CHS.   Do check that you have
not added another abstraction layer with logical volumes.

Since you "purchased" a 1.5TB disk do you still have the OLD disk.
If you have the OLD disk just use it or a part of it as a shared
commons and save a bit of pain.    I have started using an 8GB USB
flash device to move files as it is "big enough" for what I do.



-- 
	T o m  M i t c h e l l 
	Found me a new hat, now what?