GPT to MBR

[Bertison]

I have looked at the Tutorial for this, but does not seem to apply. This is my problem:

I recently upgraded my grandson's desktop with a new motherboard, graphics and memory. The new BIOS was my first UEFI and I formatted and set the 1 TB SATA II Hdd in the UEFI, according to the onscreen directions. I believe that this made it a GPT drive? I could not get the drive to install Win7 Pro, so I installed a brand new 1TB Hdd that I had earmarked for another build, which was plain sailing and Windows installed along with everything else. The system is in my grandson's bedroom in the next village and working fine. I now have a Hdd which is only about 15 months old that I would like to put into another build made from his last components and some new ones. However, I cannot get my own system (spec's below) to see the Hdd, in order to re-convert it to MBR for the next system. Any advice is welcome, thanks all.

 

[Gator]

Hi Bert,

Is this the tutorial you used?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Bertison]

Hi Gator, thanks for the swift response. No, that's not the one, probably did not explain well enough: I had actually built the PC and set up the Hdd, then could not get Win7 to install, so I fitted the new Hdd. From there Win7 installed, updated and all drivers installed, Win7 activated, all OK. Grandson has his upgraded PC working. all good.

I then collected all parts for the next build, which is based on Grandson's last PC - AsRock G41MVS3 Rev.2. That has the old style BIOS, does not require a GPT Hdd. Before I fitted that in the AsRock build, I decided to install it into my External Hdd case and format it, via my own machine (see "My Spec's) My system does not see this Hdd, so I cannot format it for the AsRock build. I believe that the Hdd is GPT, and would like to convert it back to MBR.

I hope that is not too convoluted, my explanations are sometimes long-winded!

 

[Barman58]

Have a look at this tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html which should get you back to where you want to be

An alternative is something like partition Wizard, but this operation is not supported in the free version - only the Pro and higher

 

[Bertison]

Thanks Barman58, I have printed off that Tutorial, must have looked at the wrong one when I was searching Tutorials. Off on Granddad Duty now, trying the solutions tomorrow.

EDIT: apparently Macrium Free latest update (which I have) is now featuring GPT. Looking at that tomorrow if Granddad's Taxi Service catches a break!

 

[whs]

If nothing else helps, you can always use the bootable CD of Partition Wizard.

Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

Highlight the disk and then see the picture: