Is it possible to get rid of GPT in Win 8 system disk?

captnorm

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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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
Why don't you use BitLocker instead? It's built in and works quite well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
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    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
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    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
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    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
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
 

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Fascinating idea, Thanks for all the detail.

I have done a few restores, got BSOD, never thought of a repair.

I have read the advantages of GPT over MBR and for many cases, GPT is better. In my case it doesn't make much difference. I have a 750GB laptop drive so > 2TB is not important for me. I only need a C & a D partition, maybe a few hidden ones.

I do agree GPT provides "greater resilience to corruption". In my particular case I personally prefer being able to encrypt my C partition.

The original Fujitsu image has 6 partitions: 768mB recovery, 768mB oem, 260mB efi system partition (think), 2 @ 341gB c & d, 15gB recovery. Assuming I can get the drive converted to MBR, would I need to restore all partitions, one at a time (not Clone Disk) except the recovery?

The other unknown for me, of course, I did not get a Win 8 distribution disk of this Fujitsu dialect. Would a bootable Win 8 Pro distribution DVD be able to repair the MBR clone? My feeling is it would.

This may be "old school", but I personally feel all laptops (because they travel so much) should be encrypted with a 20 character a/numeric with punctuation... password. This way the web sites I'm logged onto (including gmail) would probably never fall in bad hands. There are too many cookies and documents in that C partition. I do keep all my very sensitive documents inside a large TrueCrypt file which I can open in Win 8. This is my "at home" strategy which also works on my laptops. My other XP & Win 7 laptops all encrypt the whole C partition by TC. I'm also aware any lock can be picked by a very clever person. I'm just taking as many precautions as I can with my cookies...

I would be happy to use BitLocker on this machine (to keep the resilience of GPT). I have used a brand new hard drive and installed Technet Win 8 Pro on this same Fujitsu laptop. I can't believe it, but it went thru the entire install procedure, never asked for the product keys. When the new image reboot, it was already activated, with, I think my original Fujitsu product keys. Even though I installed the Pro ISO, I still got the basic Win 8, with no BitLocker. I'm thinking the product keys are stored in the BIOS, any other ideas?

Btw, I recently bought 3 @ 20" SATA EXTENSION cables from Amazon. 1 @ data only, 1 @ hard drive power, 1 @ both data & power extension. Makes it very easy & quick to swap laptop HD. I can even use a 7200 rpm 3.5" hd on this laptop with an externally powered docking station for my experiments.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
OK, I cloned my original Fujitsu image (with all partitions) to a 3.5" drive with Acronis 2013. Clone boots fine.

I then put that on my desktop as a non-system disk, can see it fine in Disk Management. I followed both options in:
Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk - Windows 7 Forums

I eventually deleted most partitions, but can't yank the 260mB EFI System Partition thru either option.

Question, if I ran WhiteCanyon's wipedrive on a scratch drive, all partitions and everything would be deleted on the drive.

I should then be able to boot XP (or DOS) (that has no GPT, only MBR) and create partitions. Problem is I don't know which partitions to create. As I mentioned before:
The original Fujitsu image has 6 partitions: 768mB recovery, 768mB oem, 260mB efi system partition (think), 2 @ 341gB c & d, 15gB recovery.

I guess I could create 2 @ 768mB, 260mB... partitions. Problem is I don't know which be primary, extended, logical partitions. At this point I don't need the 15gB recovery, nor D 341 partition (can create those later).

Do you have any recommendations as to the partitions and type I need to create?

Thanks, Norm
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky

I would be happy to use BitLocker on this machine (to keep the resilience of GPT). I have used a brand new hard drive and installed Technet Win 8 Pro on this same Fujitsu laptop. I can't believe it, but it went thru the entire install procedure, never asked for the product keys. When the new image reboot, it was already activated, with, I think my original Fujitsu product keys. Even though I installed the Pro ISO, I still got the basic Win 8, with no BitLocker. I'm thinking the product keys are stored in the BIOS, any other ideas?



All OEM installs, the product key is in the bios with Win8.
 

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    lenovo W530
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    intell i7
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    Lenovo
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    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes

I've thought about that. Shopping around looks like least expensive is $65. That seems quite disproportionate considering this 750GB 15.6" laptop with 6GB ram, basic Win 8... ... only cost me $350 after rebate. Especially after reading the following reviews, that is my last choice:
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Microsoft Windows 8 Pro Pack (Win 8 to Win 8 Pro Upgrade)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
Regarding: All OEM installs, the product key is in the bios with Win8.

That's what I thought. Is there any way to reset the product key out of the BIOS? Would a RESET do it (I would think not, but that would be great)? I sure prefer the old days, when you could install whatever you want on the hardware you pay for.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
Regarding: All OEM installs, the product key is in the bios with Win8.

That's what I thought. Is there any way to reset the product key out of the BIOS? Would a RESET do it (I would think not, but that would be great)? I sure prefer the old days, when you could install whatever you want on the hardware you pay for.

You still can but you have to turn off secure boot in the bios then you can install any X86 operating system you want.
The only caveat is device drivers for your OS may not be available. The product key in the bios is only there for Win8 no other OS even checks for it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
What Fujitsu model do you have?
 

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RE: You still can but you have to turn off secure boot in the bios then you can install any X86 operating system you want.
The only caveat is device drivers for your OS may not be available. The product key in the bios is only there for Win8 no other OS even checks for it.

I turned off Secure Boot in the BIOS, now can boot anything I want. Back to my question, does anyone think I can clear the product key from the BIOS (after documenting it in case I want to re-install the factory version).

theog: Got a Fujitsu AH532. Amazing features at an amazing low price.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
No, there are no currently known ways to change the bios key. These are called SLIC's and pirates have been working on ways to do this so they can pirate Windows 8 more efficiently. So far, they haven't produced anything that I'm aware of.

If you have a full Windows 8 pro license, you should be able to enter that in the Add Features dialog and upgrade your Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro without doing any re-installation of anything. You shouldn't need a Pro Pack license if you have a full license.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
If you have a full Windows 8 pro license, you should be able to enter that in the Add Features dialog and upgrade your Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro without doing any re-installation of anything. You shouldn't need a Pro Pack license if you have a full license.

I have Win 8 Pro key codes from Technet. When entering them, I get: This key won't work. Check it and try again, or try a different key.

The key was copy/pasted, so I know it is correct.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
This post seems to indicate it should work.

windows 8 oem upgrade to windows 8 pro MSDN

Are you sure you're using the Pro key?

4. Click on "I already have a product key".
5. Enter your MSDN Windows 8 Pro product key.

Is exactly what I did, with the Technet (think same as MSDN) Win 8 pro key.

I get: "This key won't work. Check it and try again, or try a different key."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu AH532
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Motherboard
    Fujitsu
    Memory
    6GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 750GB 5400RPM
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
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