[parted-devel] [PATCH] GPT -> MBR synchronization

[Olaf Dabrunz]

On 29-Jul-08, H. Peter Anvin wrote:
> Alexander Graf wrote:
>> Hi,
>> pretty much since Macs started a hybrid GPT/MBR approach there were 
>> several attempts to get to a solution on using GPT on BIOS-based 
>> computers. Unfortunately up to today I know of none that actually made it 
>> somewhere except for the manual Mac syncing approach.
>> So my approach is trying to go the easiest way I could think of: always 
>> sync. Instead of writing a fake MBR, when this code is enabled, it tries 
>> to construct primary MBR entries from the first partitions it finds in the 
>> GPT. This means, that as long as the partition we want to boot from is 
>> within the first four partitions, everything will be fine.
>> This enables a user that is aware of this restriction to have a fully 
>> working hybrid GPT/MBR setup, enabling him to boot without much 
>> intervention on an Intel Mac and with disks >2TB.
>
> I would think a better idea would be to sync the active (bootable) 
> partition.  Assuming it is the first 3 (or 4) partitions seems a bit of a 
> lose.

True.

I think the strategy should be to put the hack/solution into parted that
is most compatible with the boot procedures of operating systems (Linux,
MacOS, Windows, BSD, ...).

Then other tools could standardize on that.

Regards,

-- 
Olaf Dabrunz (od/odabrunz)
SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg)