Re: [LUG] Fwd: Question for the LUG [Now sort of OT]

[Julian Hall <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 On 04/04/2013 16:51, bad apple wrote:
> On 04/04/13 00:56, Julian Hall wrote:
> >   On 29/03/2013 23:08, Julian Hall wrote:
> > >   On 29/03/2013 17:12, Julian Hall wrote:
> > > >   Hi All,
> > > >
> > > > I had the below query from a friend.  Sounds odd to me.  Is there
> > > > any reason Linux boot CDs wouldn't work while Windows ones will?
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > >
> > > > Julian
> > > Thanks for the advice everyone :)  I've distilled the main points
> > > into an email to him and I'll let you know how we get on.
> > >
> > > Julian
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Just to close the book on this one.  It turns out that data retention
> > wasn't an issue which made things a lot easier.  This is for anyone
> > who only has access to Windows, hence the OT amendment to the subject.
> >
> > All that was required was a.n.other disk partition manager to remove
> > all the partitions currently on the system.  Windows XP will not even
> > see the drive so must be done in Windows 7.  I used AOMEI Partition
> > Assistant Home Edition, but any partition software will do.
> >
> > Once all partitions are gone, close the partitioning software as it's
> > unlikely to have the 'Convert GPT to MBR' option enabled unless you've
> > paid for it.. anyway you don't need it.
> >
> > Then basically follow the instructions here -
> > http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html
> >
> > In short Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management -
> > Disk Management
> >
> > Right click the (now entirely unallocated) disk and choose Convert to
> > MBR disk.
> >
> > (If you've read the webpage and are wondering why I didn't follow step
> > 5 and used disk partition software instead, that's the first thing I
> > tried.. Windows wouldn't let me remove all the partitions.. so I did
> > it this way.. YMMW on that :))
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Julian
> Just so you know, the Windows RE (Recovery Environment) media can do
> this via the diskpart command (you'll probably also need bcdedit and
> friends to finish the job). Fdisk doesn't support GPT partitions,
> although it can recognise and often read them, but parted does just fine
> - the gparted live media would be my recommendation for all your disk
> editing and partitioning needs outside of the weird world of custom Unix
> systems disk management (Solaris, AIX, HP-UX and so on all have rather
> 'exotic' schemes compared to simple Linux/Windows on x86). Macs have
> been all GPT for years although Hackintoshes are MBR-based.
>
> > > Once all partitions are gone, close the partitioning software as it's
> unlikely to have the 'Convert GPT to MBR' option enabled unless you've
> paid for it.. anyway you don't need it.
>
> People pay for partitioning software?!
>
> Regards
Thanks for that, and yes apparently so.. Pro versions have greater 
functionality (on Windows anyway).  I just got the free Home version as 
I only needed it for this one job.

Julian

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