Changing file type from MBR to support GPT on BIOS configuration from Windows
Hello everyone,
I have a physical machine (Dell PowerEdge R420) server which I am connected to remotely (Server is in NYC). The server a has disk (5.5GB) but the GPT feature has not been enabled on it from the BIOS.
I tried converting the MBR to GPT using a software called EaseUS partition master but even after restarting the server it din't help.
Since the server is far away from me and I can't physically reach it.. I am wondering if there's any possible way to configure the BIOS from Windows to support GPT then convert the MBR To GPT on Windows.
Thanks a lot.
I have a physical machine (Dell PowerEdge R420) server which I am connected to remotely (Server is in NYC). The server a has disk (5.5GB) but the GPT feature has not been enabled on it from the BIOS.
I tried converting the MBR to GPT using a software called EaseUS partition master but even after restarting the server it din't help.
Since the server is far away from me and I can't physically reach it.. I am wondering if there's any possible way to configure the BIOS from Windows to support GPT then convert the MBR To GPT on Windows.
Thanks a lot.
Manuel Flores
However, I believe that the main operating system disk can't be other thing that MBR... ? let's check it out.
Some Windows operating systems cannot work with GPT hard disk, such as Windows 2000, XP, Windows 2003 32bit.
Is your case?
Is your case?
ASKER
I have windows 2012 R2. It does support GPT but windows is installed on MBR disk.
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ASKER
Hi Noxcho, some software claim they can change the system disk from mbr to gpt like EaseUS partition master
http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/GPT-disk-partition-manager/convert-mbr-disk-to-gpt-disk.htm
however it seems that the BIOS I have on this machine is not in UEFI mode. as PowerEdgeTech indicated I think i'll lose the OS Since the BIOS change will change the file system type too.
I tried using EaseUS and GPTgen commandline but it didn't work.
I am posting a screenshot of the disk management and Ease US management UI. but since the BIOS is not set to UEFI then I am going to close the question and split points.
Thanks a lot everyone
diskmanagement.jpg
easeus.jpg
http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/GPT-disk-partition-manager/convert-mbr-disk-to-gpt-disk.htm
however it seems that the BIOS I have on this machine is not in UEFI mode. as PowerEdgeTech indicated I think i'll lose the OS Since the BIOS change will change the file system type too.
I tried using EaseUS and GPTgen commandline but it didn't work.
I am posting a screenshot of the disk management and Ease US management UI. but since the BIOS is not set to UEFI then I am going to close the question and split points.
Thanks a lot everyone
diskmanagement.jpg
easeus.jpg
ASKER
Thanks
The problem is a Windows GPT disk needs an EFI boot partition, plus needs to have been installed in EFI mode. That uses different files that don't get installed when you install the OS to an MBR disk. The install media also gets booted differently. So if you convert the disk from MBR to GPT the OS will no longer be bootable.
So your only option is to split your array into two volumes as I mentioned earlier, then restore the OS to the small MBR disk and use the larger volume as a GPT data disk, or install the OS again after you have created your GPT disk. As best practice is to have a small disk for the OS and a separate large disk for the data, splitting your array into 2 Volumes would be the best course of action anyway. Or as has also been mentioned, add two other small disks, create a RAID 1 array from those, and install or restore your OS to that new array.
So your only option is to split your array into two volumes as I mentioned earlier, then restore the OS to the small MBR disk and use the larger volume as a GPT data disk, or install the OS again after you have created your GPT disk. As best practice is to have a small disk for the OS and a separate large disk for the data, splitting your array into 2 Volumes would be the best course of action anyway. Or as has also been mentioned, add two other small disks, create a RAID 1 array from those, and install or restore your OS to that new array.
The software which you posted a link for, does convert the MBR drive into GPT however only DATA DRIVE. Not the system drive. That is the problem. That's why I was talking about second drive of smaller size for OS and then simply in Windows convert the bigger drive into GPT.
you can convert it from the installation menu of your OS in this case windows server 2012. but you need to ensure that you have a backup, because after converting it, you will have to format it. follow this steps:
1, boot from your installation disk
2, instead of install, choose repair
3,navigate to the command prompt.
4, on the command prompt type diskpart it will take you to a new environment
5, type list disk to view and select your disk drive
6, select the disk using the number of the disk as indicated
7, then type convert gpt
you can also use this steps to convert to mbr.
1, boot from your installation disk
2, instead of install, choose repair
3,navigate to the command prompt.
4, on the command prompt type diskpart it will take you to a new environment
5, type list disk to view and select your disk drive
6, select the disk using the number of the disk as indicated
7, then type convert gpt
you can also use this steps to convert to mbr.