Solved One last attempt to change LEGACY to EUFI

AddRAM · Oct 11, 2021

OK, with that said, are you going to leave it as Legacy/MBR or do you want to go strictly UEFI/GPT ???

But I see you`re not on the Forum so we`ll await your answer :)

And I have no idea why you can`t convert using Command Prompt, maybe if you unplugged 1 drive and tried each individually, it might work.

Mainly because of what I mentioned in reply #29

zbook · Oct 11, 2021

Pulcinella said:
I cannot use Macrium for backup, nor Windows or any other backup apps. It wont do it.

What error messages and / or codes were seen when attempting to make backup images?

If you are able to logon to Ten Forums please run:
Tuneup_plus_log.bat ─ Click here to go to the BSOD batch repository to download and run this batch file.
DiskParInfo.bat - Click here to go to the BSOD batch repository to download and run this batch file.

If you cannot logon to Ten Forums to run the above scripts then run these steps:
Open administrative command prompt and copy and paste: (all at one time)

Code:

bcdedit /enum all

bcdedit | find "osdevice"

reagentc /info

Open administrative command prompt and copy and paste: (all at one time)

Code:

diskpart

lis dis

lis vol

sel dis 0

det dis

lis par

sel par 1

det par

sel par 2

det par

sel par 3

det par

sel par 4

det par

sel dis 1

det dis

lis par

sel par 1

det par

sel par 2

det par

sel par 3

det par

sel par 4

det par

sel par 5

det par

sel par 6

det par

Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
chkdsk /scan

Please post images or share links displaying the commands with results.

MBR2GPT - Windows Deployment

Use MBR2GPT.EXE to convert a disk from the Master Boot Record (MBR) to the GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition style without modifying or deleting data on the disk.

docs.microsoft.com

Code:

Before any change to the disk is made, MBR2GPT validates the layout and geometry of the selected disk to ensure that:

The disk is currently using MBR
There is enough space not occupied by partitions to store the primary and secondary GPTs:
16KB + 2 sectors at the front of the disk
16KB + 1 sector at the end of the disk
There are at most 3 primary partitions in the MBR partition table
One of the partitions is set as active and is the system partition
The disk does not have any extended/logical partition
The BCD store on the system partition contains a default OS entry pointing to an OS partition
The volume IDs can be retrieved for each volume which has a drive letter assigned
All partitions on the disk are of MBR types recognized by Windows or has a mapping specified using the /map command-line option
If any of these checks fails, the conversion will not proceed and an error will be returned.

Disk 0 displayed 4 partitions.
In order to convert MBR2GPT there cannot be more than 3 partitions.
Plan to delete the extra recovery partition.

Before MBR2GPT plan to make a free backup image using Macrium:

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

How to Create and Restore a System Image Backup with Macrium Reflect

www.tenforums.com

Pulcinella · Oct 11, 2021

zbook said:
What error messages and / or codes were seen when attempting to make backup images?

Backup both with macrium and windowsbackup on external 1 TB HHD give the same result. Not enough space on drive.

first CP result

second CP result, I do not know how to post such a long CP.

Pulcinella · Oct 11, 2021

AddRAM said:
OK, with that said, are you going to leave it as Legacy/MBR or do you want to go strictly UEFI/GPT ???

But I see you`re not on the Forum so we`ll await your answer :)

And I have no idea why you can`t convert using Command Prompt, maybe if you unplugged 1 drive and tried each individually, it might work.

Mainly because of what I mentioned in reply #29

So if I understand your two last post correctly, even if I download windows 10 from MCT on USB and reinstall by converting the partition from MBR to GPT during installation using CP diskpart, at restart BIOS will be still on Legacy?
What if I use a W11 MCT download on USB as shown on this video,

Will the installation stick or will I be prompted to reset BIOS. In which case if unable to do so I'm in deep trouble.

zbook · Oct 11, 2021

In the prior post the code with brackets was entered into the command.
Please enter the text within the code entries and not code surrounded by brackets.

for example:
bcdedit /enum all (not [ code ]bcdedit /enum all)
reagentc /info (not resgentc /info[ code ])

If there are any problems posting images or results please use share links: one drive, drop box, or google drive

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-onedrive-files-and-folders-9fcc2f7d-de0c-4cec-93b0-a82024800c07[/code]

Pulcinella · Oct 11, 2021

zbook said:
In the prior post the code with brackets was entered into the command.
Please enter the text within the code entries and not code surrounded by brackets.

for example:
bcdedit /enum all (not [ code ]bcdedit /enum all)
reagentc /info (not resgentc /info[ code ])

If there are any problems posting images or results please use share links: one drive, drop box, or google drive

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-onedrive-files-and-folders-9fcc2f7d-de0c-4cec-93b0-a82024800c07[/code]

@zbook, I'am very grateful for your help but I do not use one drive, drop box, or google drive.
Honestly your troubleshooting links, Tuneup_plus_log.bat and DiskParInfo.bat, are so much above my pay grade to implement.
I am too afraid to dig myself to a point of no return. I wouldn't be able to take the correct indicated path when prompted. Simple stuff yes, 12345 more than that I'll be lost.

Things most of you fellows take for granted are like they speaking on tongues to me.
You are deep man

zbook · Oct 11, 2021

If you cannot make backup images then open a thread in this forum room:

Backup and Restore

Windows 11 backup and restore help and support

www.elevenforum.com

Please backup important files.

It may be possible to convert MBR2GPT once the second recovery partition is deleted.
See the earlier post for the number of partitions on the drive before conversion.

To delete the extra recovery partition:
Type: reagentc /info
Once the results are viewed the orphaned and enabled partitions can be identified.
Then commands can be ran or you can use third party software (mini tool).

SIW2 · Oct 11, 2021

You could just create the efi folder on the system partition and you will get the choice to boot in bios or efi mode from that mbr disk.

You could then convert the disk to gpt if you want . It is usually quite straightforward.

Diskgenius free version will create winpe boot media, so you could boot it up to do the conversion.

bcdboot c:\windows /s \Device\HarddiskVolume1 /f all

Then boot to winpe and do the conversion.

You can only do this if your recovery sequence is set up correctly: So you could check it first with admin prompt cmd : reagentc /info

Then you could see which of those two 450mb partitions is set up for winre, and get rid of the other one.

Pulcinella · Oct 11, 2021

@zbook, @SIW2 Thanks.

I do back up all my important things manually on an external HHD, meticulously and often. I understand that a macrium backup and create an image will allow me to reinstall W10 if things go pear shape.

I don't want to take more of your time. What I really would like to do at this stage is to get feedback how to convert mbr to gpt during W10/11 installation.
My concern about the above method is that I may get stuck with such messy partitions with hidden files in it that may interfere during or down the line. Also The requirement to Enable UEFI on BIOS afterwards that baffle me.

zbook · Oct 11, 2021

The disk 0 currently has 4 primary partitions:
system reserved
C:
recovery
recovery

A MBR2GPT cannot be performed when there are more than 3 partitions:

Although disks configured with MBR-style partition can have up to four primary partitions, for this process to work the disk you want to convert can't have more than three partitions, because one allocation is needed to create the new UEFI system partition.

Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

www.tenforums.com

Consider deleting the orphaned recovery partition making 3 partitions on disk 0.
Then try MBR2GPT and see whether it is successful or whether there is an error code.

Pulcinella · Oct 12, 2021

zbook said:
The disk 0 currently has 4 primary partitions:
system reserved
C:
recovery
recovery

A MBR2GPT cannot be performed when there are more than 3 partitions:

Although disks configured with MBR-style partition can have up to four primary partitions, for this process to work the disk you want to convert can't have more than three partitions, because one allocation is needed to create the new UEFI system partition.

Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

www.tenforums.com

Consider deleting the orphaned recovery partition making 3 partitions on disk 0.
Then try MBR2GPT and see whether it is successful or whether there is an error code.

How do I go about to delete one of disk 0 partition?

zbook · Oct 12, 2021

These commands are to get preliminary information about the operating system, component store, drive file system and recovery partition.

Please post images or share links with commands and results.

Open administrative command prompt and copy and paste:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
sfc /scannow
chkdsk /scan

Open administrative command prompt and copy and paste: (all at one time)

reagentc /info
diskpart
lis dis
lis vol
sel dis 0
det dis
lis par
sel par 1
det par
sel par 2
det par
sel par 3
det par
sel par 4
det par
sel par 5
det par
sel dis 1
det dis
lis par
sel par 1
det par
sel par 2
det par
sel par 3
det par
sel par 4
det par
sel par 5
det par

Pulcinella · Oct 12, 2021

@zbook
On Disk management right click on disk 0 it does not give me the option to delete any volume. delete volume is grayed out.

Pulcinella · Oct 12, 2021

Oops missed your post, I'll try that.

Pulcinella · Oct 12, 2021

zbook said:
These commands are to get preliminary information about the operating system, component store, drive file system and recovery partition.

Please post images or share links with commands and results.

zbook · Oct 12, 2021

Code:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

The images displayed only selected results.
The scroll bars did not work.

To post results when running commands in administrative command prompt:

Right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into this thread

Pulcinella · Oct 12, 2021

zbook said:
Code:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

The images displayed only selected results.
The scroll bars did not work.

To post results when running commands in administrative command prompt:

Right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into this thread

Pulcinella · Oct 12, 2021

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19043.1237]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
Information:

Windows RE status: Enabled
Windows RE location: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: c2257cf2-bae6-11eb-bdc2-8776a92ff66e
Recovery image location:
Recovery image index: 0
Custom image location:
Custom image index: 0

REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>diskpart

Microsoft DiskPart version 10.0.19041.964

Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: DESKTOP-ERSOF1L

DISKPART> lis dis

Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt
-------- ------------- ------- ------- --- ---
Disk 0 Online 223 GB 0 B
Disk 1 Online 465 GB 0 B
Disk 2 Online 931 GB 0 B

DISKPART> lis vol

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 0 F DVD-ROM 0 B No Media
Volume 1 System Rese NTFS Partition 100 MB Healthy System
Volume 2 C NTFS Partition 222 GB Healthy Boot
Volume 3 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden
Volume 4 NTFS Partition 454 MB Healthy Hidden
Volume 5 D System Rese NTFS Partition 100 MB Healthy
Volume 6 E NTFS Partition 464 GB Healthy
Volume 7 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden
Volume 8 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden
Volume 9 G NTFS Partition 931 GB Healthy

DISKPART> sel dis 0

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> det dis

KINGSTON SA400S37240G
Disk ID: C65EA50A
Type : SATA
Status : Online
Path : 0
Target : 0
LUN ID : 0
Location Path : PCIROOT(0)#PCI(1700)#ATA(C00T00L00)
Current Read-only State : No
Read-only : No
Boot Disk : Yes
Pagefile Disk : Yes
Hibernation File Disk : No
Crashdump Disk : Yes
Clustered Disk : No

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 1 System Rese NTFS Partition 100 MB Healthy System
Volume 2 C NTFS Partition 222 GB Healthy Boot
Volume 3 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden
Volume 4 NTFS Partition 454 MB Healthy Hidden

DISKPART> lis par

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 100 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 222 GB 101 MB
Partition 3 Recovery 450 MB 222 GB
Partition 4 Recovery 454 MB 223 GB

DISKPART> sel par 1

Partition 1 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 1
Type : 07
Hidden: No
Active: Yes
Offset in Bytes: 1048576

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 1 System Rese NTFS Partition 100 MB Healthy System

DISKPART> sel par 2

Partition 2 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 2
Type : 07
Hidden: No
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 105906176

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 2 C NTFS Partition 222 GB Healthy Boot

DISKPART> sel par 3

Partition 3 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 3
Type : 27
Hidden: No
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 239108882432

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 3 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden

DISKPART> sel par 4

Partition 4 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 4
Type : 27
Hidden: No
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 239580741632

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 4 NTFS Partition 454 MB Healthy Hidden

DISKPART> sel par 5

The specified partition is not valid.
Please select a valid partition.

There is no partition selected.

DISKPART> det par

There is no partition selected.
Please select a partition and try again.

DISKPART> sel dis 1

Disk 1 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> det dis

ST3500418AS
Disk ID: 748433A7
Type : SATA
Status : Online
Path : 2
Target : 0
LUN ID : 0
Location Path : PCIROOT(0)#PCI(1700)#ATA(C02T00L00)
Current Read-only State : No
Read-only : No
Boot Disk : No
Pagefile Disk : No
Hibernation File Disk : No
Crashdump Disk : No
Clustered Disk : No

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 5 D System Rese NTFS Partition 100 MB Healthy
Volume 6 E NTFS Partition 464 GB Healthy
Volume 7 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden
Volume 8 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden

DISKPART> lis par

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 100 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 464 GB 101 MB
Partition 3 Recovery 450 MB 464 GB
Partition 4 Recovery 450 MB 465 GB

DISKPART> sel par 1

Partition 1 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 1
Type : 07
Hidden: No
Active: Yes
Offset in Bytes: 1048576

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 5 D System Rese NTFS Partition 100 MB Healthy

DISKPART> sel par 2

Partition 2 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 2
Type : 07
Hidden: No
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 105906176

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 6 E NTFS Partition 464 GB Healthy

DISKPART> sel par 3

Partition 3 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 3
Type : 27
Hidden: No
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 499162021888

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 7 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden

DISKPART> sel par 4

Partition 4 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> det par

Partition 4
Type : 27
Hidden: No
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 499633881088

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
* Volume 8 NTFS Partition 450 MB Healthy Hidden

DISKPART> sel par 5

The specified partition is not valid.
Please select a valid partition.

There is no partition selected.

DISKPART> det par