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-   -   Slackware 13.37 - gdisk choices, MBR, GPT or Blank GPT (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/slackware-installation-40/slackware-13-37-gdisk-choices-mbr-gpt-or-blank-gpt-872281/)

CFet 03-31-2011 09:37 PM
Slackware 13.37 - gdisk choices, MBR, GPT or Blank GPT
 
Greetings!
After running into some issues attempting to install slackware 13.1 on my 2TB seagate, I decided it may be best to try 13.37 due to support for GPT.

I've obtained the slackware64-current-iso.iso from Alien BOB. He's put gdisk on the install dvd.

So on to my main question, after booting from the disk and running gdisk to sort out partitions, I'm greeted with the following message:

Code:
Found Valid MBR and GPT. Which do you want to use?

1. MBR
2. GPT
3. Create blank GPT

Your answer:
To be honest, I'm not sure which to use? Suggestions?
Kind regards,
Chris

piratesmack 04-01-2011 05:48 AM
It sounds like you've partitioned the drive once using GPT, then repartitioned using MBR without fully deleting the GPT data, so now you have both.

Option 1 will read the MBR partition table (which you can view with 'fdisk -l /dev/sdX') and convert those partitions to GPT.

Option 2 will use the existing GPT (which you can view with 'gdisk -l /dev/sdX') and delete the old MBR partition table (replacing it with a 'protective MBR')

Option 3 will start fresh with a new empty GPT.

I can't tell you what to choose, since I'm not sure what you want.

Will you be dual-booting on the drive?
Are you sure you want/need GPT? (MBR supports up to 2TB)

CFet 04-01-2011 10:16 AM
Hi Piratesmack,
Thanks for explaining the choices. Yes I do plan to dual boot eventually - but not with Windows.
I'm not sure I want/need GPT I will have to look up the relative pros/cons. What is a "protective" MBR?

piratesmack 04-01-2011 04:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CFet (Post 4310803)
Hi Piratesmack,
Thanks for explaining the choices. Yes I do plan to dual boot eventually - but not with Windows.
I'm not sure I want/need GPT I will have to look up the relative pros/cons. What is a "protective" MBR?
A protective MBR contains a single MBR partition of type "EE" that spans the entire disk (or only the first 2TB, if larger). This is created to prevent old GPT-unaware partitioning tools from overwriting your GPT partitions. More info about that can be found here

And everything you need to know about GPT can be found on the gdisk homepage


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