Convert GPT back to MBR?

[greogory]

I converted my Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit system partition to GPT and now cannot boot. The error is, "No Operating System found". I can boot to the Paragon recovery disk I created, manually mount the system partition and access the data.

I booted to my Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit installation disk to try to run Repair to convert back to MBR, but the Windows installation disk says that it can't find any valid partitions and quits without letting me do anything at all. How can I use the Paragon boot disk I made to convert the GPT partition back to MBR?

Or, is there another way other than the "Repair my system" option I can use the Windows installation disk to convert the GPT partition back to MBR?

[Robin A.]

I think to boot from a GPT disk you must use an UEFI computer and Windows 7 x64.

Some Paragon programs like HDM 12 and Partition Manager 12 support the operation "Convert GPT to basic MBR", but only in the "Pro" versions.

[Paragon_Matt]

Originally Posted by Robin A.

I think to boot from a GPT disk you must use an UEFI computer and Windows 7 x64.

Some Paragon programs like HDM 12 and Partition Manager 12 support the operation "Convert GPT to basic MBR", but only in the "Pro" versions.

Correct.

[greogory]

Originally Posted by Robin A.

I think to boot from a GPT disk you must use an UEFI computer and Windows 7 x64.

Yes, these are both correct. I thought I met both requirements. I have a Dell XPS-15 laptop and Dell support said they're "pretty sure" the XPS line supports GPT/uEFI partitions. I also have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1. Consequently I figured I was ready to go.

I can see the disk as a bootable medium choice in BIOS, so I think Dell's support is correct. And it seems like my Win 7 x64 Ultimate meets all the requirements.

I guess I'd be just as happy if someone could give me an idea of how to make my GPT Windows system partition work, as I would be if someone could give me an idea of how to convert it back to MBR. Any solution which allows me to boot is fine. But I can't go into Rescue mode from my Windows 7 Ult x64 SP1 disk, because it doesn't think there's a valid Windows partition, and I haven't figured out how to use the boot disc I made using the Paragon Boot Manager software before converting to GPT.

Thanks for any help.
Greg

[TheQuest]

Hi greogory

Originally Posted by greogory

Yes, these are both correct. I thought I met both requirements. I have a Dell XPS-15 laptop and Dell support said they're "pretty sure" the XPS line supports GPT/uEFI partitions. I also have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1. Consequently I figured I was ready to go.

I can see the disk as a bootable medium choice in BIOS, so I think Dell's support is correct. And it seems like my Win 7 x64 Ultimate meets all the requirements.

I guess I'd be just as happy if someone could give me an idea of how to make my GPT Windows system partition work, as I would be if someone could give me an idea of how to convert it back to MBR. Any solution which allows me to boot is fine. But I can't go into Rescue mode from my Windows 7 Ult x64 SP1 disk, because it doesn't think there's a valid Windows partition, and I haven't figured out how to use the boot disc I made using the Paragon Boot Manager software before converting to GPT.

Thanks for any help.
Greg

From Windows 7 Forums:- Tutorials :- Windows 7 - Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk.

Take Care
TheQuest

[Hillsboro]

Originally Posted by greogory

Yes, these are both correct. I thought I met both requirements. I have a Dell XPS-15 laptop and Dell support said they're "pretty sure" the XPS line supports GPT/uEFI partitions. I also have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1. Consequently I figured I was ready to go.

I can see the disk as a bootable medium choice in BIOS, so I think Dell's support is correct. And it seems like my Win 7 x64 Ultimate meets all the requirements.

I guess I'd be just as happy if someone could give me an idea of how to make my GPT Windows system partition work, as I would be if someone could give me an idea of how to convert it back to MBR. Any solution which allows me to boot is fine. But I can't go into Rescue mode from my Windows 7 Ult x64 SP1 disk, because it doesn't think there's a valid Windows partition, and I haven't figured out how to use the boot disc I made using the Paragon Boot Manager software before converting to GPT.

Thanks for any help.
Greg

If your laptop does support GPT You will have to access the BIOS to change the boot setup. It will need to set to AHCI. Also, if your laptop does support UEFI it will recognize the GPT partition and it will just be a matter of setting that partition in the boot order menu in the BIOS.

Hope this helps...

[Paragon_Matt]

Originally Posted by greogory

Yes, these are both correct. I thought I met both requirements. I have a Dell XPS-15 laptop and Dell support said they're "pretty sure" the XPS line supports GPT/uEFI partitions. I also have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1. Consequently I figured I was ready to go.

I can see the disk as a bootable medium choice in BIOS, so I think Dell's support is correct. And it seems like my Win 7 x64 Ultimate meets all the requirements.

I guess I'd be just as happy if someone could give me an idea of how to make my GPT Windows system partition work, as I would be if someone could give me an idea of how to convert it back to MBR. Any solution which allows me to boot is fine. But I can't go into Rescue mode from my Windows 7 Ult x64 SP1 disk, because it doesn't think there's a valid Windows partition, and I haven't figured out how to use the boot disc I made using the Paragon Boot Manager software before converting to GPT.

Thanks for any help.
Greg

Ultimately the issue you run into is there is a partition that is created within a UEFI system that does not exist with a regular MBR system. This may help you however.

https://www.paragon-software.com/tec...grate-to-uefi/