I have read as much as I can in this forum, seems like some have been successful converting GPT partitions to MBR. I'm still trying to get TrueCrypt to run on my Fujitsu Win 8 laptop with GPT. TrueCrypt does not currently support GPT, and it looks doubtful if it ever will.
I have spent some time creating image files and restoring them with True Image 2013. I have not found a way with that program to get Win 8 to be formatted as MBR.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi there
First look and see if you have SECURE BOOT enabled in the BIOS. If so that's the first thing you'll have to undo in the BIOS.
Then backup your system -- things can and do go wrong so if you hose it up you'll be able to restore it all again, have a think, preferably a stiff drink as well and then have another go.
Next you will need to boot up another system -- say a stand alone partition manager to convert the GPT disk as you won't be able to convert the GPT disk to MBR "On the fly" if it's a system disk.
Simply from the stand alone partition manager wipe the disk and create an MBR then create partitions as needed.
Now restore your system.
it will BSOD on boot (MBR will be hosed) but insert the W8 recovery disk and it will "fix itself".
Now I have to ask --why change back to MBR -- GPT is so much better in zillions of ways -- usually it's the Secure / Protected boot mode that causes all the grief not the issue of GPT.
Incidentally if you ever partition disks of over 2 TB (and 3 TB disks are quite common these days) you'll need to make the GPT anyway and you might have a small OS partition on one of these disks which will only boot if it IS GPT.
GPT also doesn't limit the number of partitions you can have either.
Finally you shouldn't limit yourself to old applications when running a newer OS -- if Truecrypt doesn't work there are plenty of better alternatives (Free). Bitlocker is one -- you do need W8 PRO though.
In any case I have to wonder what the real use of these encryption systems are -- if you protect your machine decently then IMO this stuff isn't necessary. If you are paranoid about data falling in to the wrong hands if your computer is stolen -- either store it offline or encrypt with decent SES encryption programs.
If you share your computer with other users then store private and personal data offline. Almost ANY encryption system of less than Militiary strength is hackable one way or another.
Cheers
jimbo