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creating GPT partitions for a Windows / multiple distro booted system


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creating GPT partitions for a Windows / multiple distro booted system
m654321 Offline
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#1
04-06-2015, 06:51 AM
At the weekend I thought I'd experiment a bit with creating a GPT partition table, as sometimes I would like multiboot more than 4 operating systems which I'm limited to with the more conventional MBR partition table.

Using my Asus X71Q laptop (made in 2008, so predates UEFI), setting up several primary GPT partitions (more than 4) was straightforward enough using Gparted.  However the problem came if I tried to install Win 7 or Win 8.1 on the first partition.  The message came back that I was unable to install to a GTP partition.  I find this strange, as on more modern laptops (e.g. Asus G750JS), Win 8.1 comes pre-installed on a GPT disk.  So how did the manufacturers achieve this?  I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.

I didn't have this problem when I installed LL2.4 to the first GPT partition.

Many thanks for any help with this.
Kind regards
Mike
64bit OS (32-bit on Samsung[i] netbook) installed in [i]Legacy mode on MBR-formatted SSDs (except pi which uses a micro SDHC card):
2017 - Raspberry pi 3B (4cores) ~ [email protected] - LibreElec, used for upgrading our Samsung TV (excellent for the task)  
2012 - Lenovo G580 2689 (2cores; 4threads] ~ [email protected] - LL3.8/Win8.1 dual-boot (LL working smoothly)
2011 - Samsung NP-N145 Plus (1core; 2threads) ~ Intel Atom [email protected] - LL 3.8 32-bit (64-bit too 'laggy')
2008 - Asus X71Q (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6/Win8.1 dual-boot, LL works fine with kernel 4.15
2007 - Dell Latitude D630 (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6, works well with kernel 4.4; 4.15 doesn't work
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gold_finger Offline
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#2
04-06-2015, 07:46 AM
Windows can only be installed to GPT partitioned disks if the computer is using UEFI firmware and booting in UEFI mode.  Why?  I have no idea.  Since your computer has the older BIOS firmware, Windows will only install to drives formatted with traditional MBR partitions.  Again, I have no idea why they limit it's installation that way, but there is nothing you can do about it.
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m654321 Offline
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#3
04-06-2015, 08:20 AM (This post was last modified: 04-06-2015, 08:31 AM by m654321.)
Many thanks goldfinger, for your reply: the Windows / GPT problem in the absence of UEFI,  has now been clarified, even though there seems to be no logical explanation why it fails to install on GPT in the absence of UEFI.

Kind regards
Mike
64bit OS (32-bit on Samsung[i] netbook) installed in [i]Legacy mode on MBR-formatted SSDs (except pi which uses a micro SDHC card):
2017 - Raspberry pi 3B (4cores) ~ [email protected] - LibreElec, used for upgrading our Samsung TV (excellent for the task)  
2012 - Lenovo G580 2689 (2cores; 4threads] ~ [email protected] - LL3.8/Win8.1 dual-boot (LL working smoothly)
2011 - Samsung NP-N145 Plus (1core; 2threads) ~ Intel Atom [email protected] - LL 3.8 32-bit (64-bit too 'laggy')
2008 - Asus X71Q (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6/Win8.1 dual-boot, LL works fine with kernel 4.15
2007 - Dell Latitude D630 (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6, works well with kernel 4.4; 4.15 doesn't work
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N4RPS Offline
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#4
04-07-2015, 05:01 AM
Hello!

(04-06-2015, 08:20 AM)m654321 link Wrote: Many thanks goldfinger, for your reply: the Windows / GPT problem in the absence of UEFI,  has now been clarified, even though there seems to be no logical explanation why it fails to install on GPT in the absence of UEFI.

A logical explanation would be Mikeysoft's ongoing conspiracy to force people to buy new PCs with their strategy of planned obsolescence...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob
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A gun in your hand is worth more than a whole police force on the phone.
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m654321 Offline
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#5
04-17-2015, 04:39 AM (This post was last modified: 04-18-2015, 03:49 AM by m654321.)
Quote:A logical explanation would be Mikeysoft's ongoing conspiracy to force people to buy new PCs with their strategy of planned obsolescence...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

Rob, I'm inclined to agree with you wholeheartedly! 
However I wonder if Windows 7 could be run as a virtual machine on a GPT disk for a non-UEFI laptop?

Mike
64bit OS (32-bit on Samsung[i] netbook) installed in [i]Legacy mode on MBR-formatted SSDs (except pi which uses a micro SDHC card):
2017 - Raspberry pi 3B (4cores) ~ [email protected] - LibreElec, used for upgrading our Samsung TV (excellent for the task)  
2012 - Lenovo G580 2689 (2cores; 4threads] ~ [email protected] - LL3.8/Win8.1 dual-boot (LL working smoothly)
2011 - Samsung NP-N145 Plus (1core; 2threads) ~ Intel Atom [email protected] - LL 3.8 32-bit (64-bit too 'laggy')
2008 - Asus X71Q (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6/Win8.1 dual-boot, LL works fine with kernel 4.15
2007 - Dell Latitude D630 (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6, works well with kernel 4.4; 4.15 doesn't work
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