59
votes
GPT vs MBR. Why not MBR?
There are several advantages to GPT:
Supports disks larger than 2TiB.
Supports partitions larger than 2TiB.
Supports more than four partitions, with no distinction between primary, extended, and ...
- 43.2k
28
votes
Accepted
GPT vs MBR. Why not MBR?
It will make no difference for you at all. Advantages of GPT are:
Large partitions, more that 2 TB
Unlimited number of primary partitions
In your case you do not need first. Second can be achieved ...
- 87.5k
24
votes
Accepted
Difference between Legacy BIOS and UEFI
The older BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and its modern replacement UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) can both be seen as the "firmware" of your computer.
They are stored directly on ...
- 104k
19
votes
Accepted
How to prepare a disk on an EFI based PC for Ubuntu?
The most convenient and reliable way to prepare a disk is using the GNOME partition editor. GParted is included in the Ubuntu installation media, but in some cases it is better to use the original. ...
- 30.6k
18
votes
Accepted
How can I change a drive's partition table from MBR to gpt without losing an NTFS partition at the end of the drive?
There actually is an easy way to do it: Run gdisk on the disk and then type w to save the changes (which, if you do nothing else, consist of converting from MBR to GPT, which gdisk does automatically)....
- 43.2k
13
votes
Accepted
GPT PMBR size mismatch after dd clone
Do as the gdisk prompt suggests: Use the e option on the experts' (x) menu to relocate the data structures to the end of the disk. You can accomplish the same thing in parted or GParted if you prefer. ...
- 43.2k
10
votes
In Ubuntu ISO MBR, why does a GPT partition overlap the boot partition, and make MBR uneditable?
Ubuntu's .iso image files use a Frankenstein's Monster format that's designed to support multiple boot methods and devices:
Boot media
Writing the image to a DVD for booting using ISO-9660 and El ...
- 43.2k
9
votes
Accepted
WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted
The warning is not a problem.
It's only warning you that the fdisk tool doesn't work on disks using GPT for partitions. It only works on disks using the older MBR (DOS style) partitions .
However, ...
- 35.5k
8
votes
How to remove GPT from HDD?
You can use wipefs to remove all common id blocks from a device before changing the partition format.
sudo wipefs -a /dev/sdx
- 191
8
votes
GRUB menu not showing with dual-boot UEFI mode installation
First try to change the boot order in BIOS (UEFI) settings.
Select Ubuntu to be the default operating system to boot.
If this is not possible boot into Windows and disable hibernation and Fast Boot. ...
- 30.6k
8
votes
How to prepare a disk on an EFI based PC for Ubuntu?
You can do everything from inside the Ubuntu installer. The minimum effort option is to select one of the "Use whole disk" variants, which should already do the right thing.
If you want to customize ...
- 3,121
8
votes
Accepted
Convert Hybrid GPT/MBR to pure GPT partition scheme
From the gdisk(8) manual:
n – Create a new protective MBR. Use this option if the current protective MBR is damaged in a way that gdisk doesn't automatically detect and correct, or if you want to ...
- 35.5k
8
votes
Accepted
Convert MBR partition to GPT without data loss
The conversion from MBR to GPT pertains to a disk, not a partition:
"Master Boot Record (MBR) disks use the standard BIOS partition table. GUID Partition Table (GPT) disks use Unified Extensible ...
7
votes
Create GUID partition table (GPT) during Ubuntu Server install
Test this:
You switch to a text console via Alt + F2.
Try to create a partition start GNU parted as follows:
sudo -i
parted /dev/sda
Output:
GNU Parted 2.3
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! ...
- 14.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Why I need several boot partitions (EFI and bios grub)?
Short answer: What Timur Fayzrakhmanov wrote is right, replace the /boot-partition with an EFI partition.
What I know or found out:
For booting UEFI you need a FAT32 EFI partition, one for each ...
- 28.3k
7
votes
How can I set up GPT and EFI for my new raw drive?
There are two separate (but related) technological dichotomies that you seem to be conflating, at least a bit:
BIOS vs. EFI/UEFI -- This is the type of firmware in the computer; it's software that's ...
- 43.2k
7
votes
GRUB menu not showing with dual-boot UEFI mode installation
get in to UEFI setup and change the UEFI boot order.
you will see a entry like " OS boot Manager"
make it the first entry of the list and save changes.
now it will directly boot in to grub!
- 2,013
7
votes
Difference between Legacy BIOS and UEFI
Legacy (CSM) booting vs UEFI booting
SuperUser has a highly-upvoted post from 2012 on OP's question that many will find helpful.
CSM (Legacy) and UEFI (Universal Extensible Firmware Interface) are ...
- 97.8k
6
votes
Create GUID partition table (GPT) during Ubuntu Server install
I suppose a direct 'yes' solution to your question is to ensure your machine boots in UEFI-only mode. This worked flawlessly for me on a SuperMicro X11 mainboard with the official 14.04.4 server ...
- 1,052
6
votes
Startup USB drive made with "Startup Disk Creator" is reported to have multiple issue with its GPT
Short answer ;-)
Well, in a way yes, in another way it should not be expected.
Long answer - cloning from the iso file
The Ubuntu Startup Disk Creator in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and newer versions is a ...
- 44k
5
votes
GPT partition table warning message during install of ubuntu
NO NEED FOR A EMERGENCY DISK!!
Simply boot with ubuntu live CD or USB (I did with USB).
Then open the Terminal.
Type: sudo gdisk (hit enter)
Type: /dev/sda (change /dev/sda to whatever is ...
- 51
5
votes
Can Ubuntu 16.10 install to free space, or does it need partitions?
You need at least one partition holding everything. Making separate partitions for /home, /srv, /opt, /var or swap is optional and depends on your preferences and intended use of the system. Some swap ...
- 9,917
4
votes
Why I need several boot partitions (EFI and bios grub)?
To install Ubuntu on GPT drive and UEFI there is must be "EFI boot partition". The other partitions like "/home", "/boot" are optional. For me optimal are the following partitioning:
EFI boot ...
- 24.7k
4
votes
How can I mount software raid drive mdX with fstab
You have "default" when it should be "defaults". You had a misspelling.
- 101
4
votes
Accepted
How can I set up GPT and EFI for my new raw drive?
If your system comes pre-installed with UEFI firmware (which is a BIOS replacement) and you want the novelty and the experience, then keep it!
If your system doesn't come with UEFI: don't bother as ...
- 34.1k
4
votes
I accidentally overwrote my GPT, how do I restore it with gdisk?
GPT fdisk (gdisk) can indeed fix many GPT problems; but the output you've shown is almost useless; you've shown command lists (twice) and the list of partition type codes that gdisk supports, neither ...
- 43.2k
4
votes
Accepted
Is GPT BIOS partition is really needed?
Two types of specialized boot partitions are common on GPT disks:
The EFI System Partition (ESP) is used to store EFI-mode boot loaders. The ESP is a FAT partition on which EFI boot loaders appear as ...
- 43.2k
4
votes
Accepted
How to get data off a Windows partition when "primary GPT table is corrupt, but the backup appears OK"
First, the Common Internet File System (CIFS) is a network protocol, not a filesystem used on a hard disk. Thus, your attempt to mount the disk with CIFS was doomed to failure from the start. (You ...
- 43.2k
4
votes
GRUB menu not showing with dual-boot UEFI mode installation
This applies to most Acer models (Problems generally faced with Predator and other gaming laptops):
For normal Ubuntu installation:
Update to the latest BIOS (I know, it's UEFI, but I'm going to ...
- 41
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