GPT Partition or Master Boot Record (MBR)?

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Aztek33 Posted messages 553 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Francescoo Posted messages 114 Status Member - 12 Oct 2015 at 23:53

Hello,

I just bought a 2TB hard drive for storage.
During installation, it offers to format it in GPT or in MBR (Master Boot Record).

WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE ??

I am on Windows 7 32-bit on another 500GB hard drive partitioned into 2 (100GB for Win7 and 400GB for programs).

3 answers

Answer 1 / 3

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Faab

Hello,
Choose "GPT" which is more "flexible" than the classic "MBR": but make sure of your disk's compatibility!

GPT is an "evolution" of MBR, which allows (among other things) to have more than four partitions on your HDD!
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Answer 2 / 3
Aztek33 Posted messages 553 Registration date Status Member Last intervention 56

Thanks for your reply Faab!

Actually, it's a storage HDD where I also want to install "portable" games, for example.
Windows 7 is installed on another hard drive.

When I installed it in my tower, it offered me GPT or Master Boot Record.
I should note that I only created a single 2TB partition on this new HDD.

Do you think I need to reformat it to switch to GPT?
6
1. hahaha
  
  Yes, that's better.
  
  0
Answer 3 / 3
Aztek33 Posted messages 553 Registration date Status Member Last intervention 56

Slim, as it was last night, I chose "Main boot sector"...

I don't know if it's compatible, here are the specifications:

Seagate Green 2To 64Mo 3.5'' SATA 6Gb/s
Internal hard drive 2 To (2000Go) - 5900 rpm - SATA III interface 6 Gb/s - Buffer 64 Mo - Format 3.5" - Ref. ST2000DL003 - Seagate Barracuda Green - 5-year warranty.

Would it be better, in your opinion, to reformat it to GPT?
4
1. Faab
  
  In fact, GPT is an "evolution" of MBR, which allows (among other things) for more than four partitions on your HDD! It’s not a big deal; don’t reinstall Windows!
  PS: if Windows had given you a choice, I think you would have had the option to select this choice...
  
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2. Aztek33 Posted messages 553 Registration date Status Member Last intervention 56
  
  Thank you for your reply Faab
  
  Actually, it's a storage HDD where I also want to install "portable" games for example
  Windows 7 is installed on another hard drive.
  
  When I installed it in my tower, it offered me GPT or Master Boot Record.
  It's worth noting that on this new HDD I only created a single 2TB partition.
  
  Do you think I should reformat it to change it to GPT??
  
  0
3. Faab
  
  GPT is a more flexible, scalable, and secure solution than MBR. At least, that is very theoretical. I would say that if the user has a choice, it is advisable to use this mechanism... just as it is advisable to install Linux on an EXT4 formatted partition! If this disk is only intended to store documents and programs, if you never plan to install an alternative OS, and if programs and/or documents have already been placed on the HDD, then starting from scratch seems unnecessary to me.
  
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  1. Francescoo Posted messages 114 Status Member 10 > Faab
    
    Good evening Faab,
    I bought a 3TB internal hard drive and a 3.5'' enclosure to use it as external storage for my Windows 7 PC.
    I am facing the same situation, and if it can help others, I followed the advice from: https://www.pcastuces.com/pratique/materiel/second_disquedur/page4.htm
    
    I have a question regarding the alternative OS. My friend has a Mac; will she be able to use my external hard drive, or do I need to install an OS?
    What are the advantages of GPT in terms of flexibility and scalability? What is the purpose of partitioning the drive?
    
    Thank you for your clarifications!
    
    0
4. Aztek33 Posted messages 553 Registration date Status Member Last intervention 56
  
  OK, thank you for your help, Faab!!
  
  0

GPT Partition or Master Boot Record (MBR)?

3 answers

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