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Thread: A linux Question

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    Default A linux Question

    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit is successfully installed on a 250Gb SSD drive. 'Computer Management' confirms the partition style is MBR for this drive.
    When using Clonezilla to take a backup image of this drive, my preferred backup method, it reports the following error: "This disk contains mismatched GPT and MBR partition: /dev/sda"
    As I do not use the GPT partition system, is there a 'safe' fix that will not result in a loss of data please?
    Thanks in advance.


    Searches on other forums have returned this solution;

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Try using this.
    I removed the GPT components using gdisk:

    # sudo gdisk /dev/sda
    GPT fdisk (gdisk) version 0.7.2

    Partition table scan:
    MBR: MBR only
    BSD: not present
    APM: not present
    GPT: present

    Found valid MBR and GPT. Which do you want to use?
    1 - MBR
    2 - GPT
    3 - Create blank GPT

    Your answer: 1
    Command (? for help): x

    Expert command (? for help): z
    About to wipe out GPT on /dev/sda. Proceed? (Y/N): y
    GPT data structures destroyed! You may now partition the disk using fdisk or
    other utilities.
    Blank out MBR? (Y/N): n <--- do NOT choose Y!
    MBR is unchanged. You may need to delete an EFI GPT (0xEE) partition
    with fdisk or another tool.

    All working now and Clonezilla runs without errors.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    But if I read this correctly this will actually wipe the current MBR (including all data) - Is this correct??
    What are your thoughts?
    In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just buggered a 14 year old escort".
    The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated and the wife has gone off to her mum's.



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    Quote Originally Posted by Seymour Butts View Post


    Blank out MBR? (Y/N): n <--- do NOT choose Y!
    MBR is unchanged. You may need to delete an EFI GPT (0xEE) partition
    with fdisk or another tool.
    I would say from that the MBR remains unchanged and intact.

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    Just need to be sure mate - thanks very much
    In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just buggered a 14 year old escort".
    The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated and the wife has gone off to her mum's.

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    I don't suppose there is any program usable under Windows 8.1 that will do the same as the Linux fix??
    In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just buggered a 14 year old escort".
    The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated and the wife has gone off to her mum's.

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    Have a read of - not sure how much help it will be ...

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    I tried Linux on a couple of my spare machines with not great success (more's the pity) and, despite using the Windoze delete/recreate partitions, Linux Grub and boot loader still remained.
    My solution has been to backup critical data, boot from Hirens or UBCD and perform, what they call, a "Low Level format". Delete all partitions and start again.

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    I also use the procedure outlined by lsemmens in post #6 (Hirens Boot CD - delete existing partitions, repartition and then format) after trying other methods which did not work satisfactorily.

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    I tried Linux on a couple of my spare machines with not great success (more's the pity) and, despite using the Windoze delete/recreate partitions, Linux Grub and boot loader still remained.
    My solution has been to backup critical data, boot from Hirens or UBCD and perform, what they call, a "Low Level format". Delete all partitions and start again.
    Boot from the Windows installation media. Press SHIFT+F10 at the opening GUI to start cmd.exe. Type diskpart and press enter. Type select disk X (replacing X with the desired number starting at 0) and press enter. Type clean and press enter.

    This will remove all partitioning information (MBR and GPT) as well as clean any Windows disk manager information stored towards the end of the disk.
    Last edited by SpankedHam; 13-10-14 at 04:35 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by SpankedHam View Post
    Boot from the Windows installation media. Press SHIFT+F10 at the opening GUI to start cmd.exe. Type diskpart and press enter. Type select disk X (replacing X with the desired number starting at 0) and press enter. Type clean and press enter.

    This will remove all partitioning information (MBR and GPT) as well as clean any Windows disk manager information stored towards the end of the disk.
    and this is a 'safe' fix that will not result in a loss of data ??
    In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just buggered a 14 year old escort".
    The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated and the wife has gone off to her mum's.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Seymour Butts View Post
    and this is a 'safe' fix that will not result in a loss of data ??
    Back up your data just to be sure.

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    No, seymour, it creates a new partition table, so all partitioning information is lost! Before using any "low level" tools that modify partition tables, boot records and the like, ALWAYS make a backup.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Seymour Butts View Post
    and this is a 'safe' fix that will not result in a loss of data ??
    Absolutely not. Its a completely destructive command. If you want to keep the contents of the hard disk copy it all off first.

    The reply was intended to be at lsemmens, but the quote didn't appear.

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    Thanks guys, I am aware of the destructive nature of the command.
    My original post did (amongst other things) request if there was a 'safe' fix that would not result in a loss of data.

    This is no reflection on your ability to help - your help is very much appreciated but just to go back to the original post.


    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit is installed on a 250Gb SSD drive.

    Client/Company preferred backup method is Clonzilla.
    Clonzilla reports the following error: "This disk contains mismatched GPT and MBR partition: /dev/sda"

    As I do not use the GPT partition system, is there a 'safe' fix that will not result in a loss of data please?

    Agreed, I could probably back the data up by other methods but I'm advised by the client that they want to stay within company guidelines.

    Thanks again.
    In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just buggered a 14 year old escort".
    The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated and the wife has gone off to her mum's.

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    The answer to the OP is that there is no surefire, non destructive way of fixing the problem without re-partitioning the drive. If the customer won't accept that, it might be worth suggesting that they are on their own and cutting them adrift.

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    The answer to the OP is that there is no surefire, non destructive way of fixing the problem without re-partitioning the drive. If the customer won't accept that, it might be worth suggesting that they are on their own and cutting them adrift.
    You may well be right, but...... I don't think I'm ready to do that yet.
    In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just buggered a 14 year old escort".
    The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated and the wife has gone off to her mum's.

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    How to convert GPT disk to MBR disk without data loss in detail is described . Of course other guides also exist.

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