Linux - HardwareThis forum is for Hardware issues.
Having trouble installing a piece of hardware? Want to know if that peripheral is compatible with Linux?
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
Can I make and format the GPT drive, then use CloneZilla or similar to copy the two MBR partitions that are 64bit Windows-7 or must I fresh install Windows-7 onto the GPT drive?
I have a workstation with a 500 GB, MBR drive that is dual boot 64bit Windows-7 and Linux Mint 17.3.
I want to expand to use a 1 TB, GPT drive that is also dual boot 64bit Windows-7 and Linux Mint 18.1.
I believe that I can use CloneZilla to copy the Mint ext4 file systems onto the GPT drive without any troubles. I would then use GRUB2 to write the boot details onto the GPT drive.
The workstation has a "recover and restore" media edition of Windows-7 and so that would write an MBR configuration to the target drive. Ugh. (I'd really hate to do that.) I rarely use Windows but when I do I really need it. I'll virtualize once I have more disk ... wink, nod.
Windoze is ultra sensitive to being relocated - partition info is in the registry apparently.
I gave up trying years ago - just reinstall. If you can - I have an OEM Win7 professional that refuses to install to gpt. Even on a UEFI machine. Don't throw out that old disk just yet.
I know all the theories - it's professional, and certainly 64 bit. PITA having one system booting MBR and all the Linux gpt on the same system. Works, but I always seem to forget when I need to boot Win10 ... :shrug:
Yes, I did mean Win10 - was Win7 originally, and upgraded just dandy. No-one seems to think it's possible, but I got proof whirring away in my office.
Last edited by syg00; 03-08-2017 at 01:53 AM.
Reason: last sentence
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.