Cloning an MBR disk to GPT
I'm upgrading from a 2TB hd to a new 6TB HD. The 2TB is formatted in MBR; but obviously, the 6TB need to be in GPT. Is there a way to clone the 2TB onto the 6TB, but have it be GPT?
Will do, thanks!
You don't have to convert it to GPT unless you are planning on having a partition greater than 2 terabytes, and really, unless you have a specialized use for such a large partition, why not create 3 or more partitions and stay with MBR? The multiple partitions make for better file structure organization, IMO.
I would initialize the 6TB drive as mbr, create one or more 2TB partitions, image your existing drive (including the mbr) and restore the image to the newly created partition(s) on the new 6TB drive. You could always convert to gpt later if you so desired without losing data (create an image first, of course).
[quote=Andros Astonin]
You don't have to convert it to GPT unless you are planning on having a partition greater than 2 terabytes
I specifically said it's a 6TB drive.
and really, unless you have a specialized use for such a large partition, why not create 3 or more partitions and stay with MBR? The multiple partitions make for better file structure organization, IMO.
Not AT ALL true. With multiple partitions like that, once you start filling up a partition, you have to start playing the data-shuffle game, figuring out what files are going on what drive, what size they should each be, etc. Plus, you never have a huge amount of consolidated free space if you need it. All you're doing is creating unnecessary hassle and clutter. With one large drive, everything is together in one location. Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Downloads and Saved games in the root, everything else in sub-folders under them. Simple and clean.
I specifically said it's a 6TB drive.
Yes. That was understood.
Not AT ALL true. With multiple partitions like that, once you start filling up a partition, you have to start playing the data-shuffle game, figuring out what files are going on what drive, what size they should each be, etc. Plus, you never have a huge amount of consolidated free space if you need it. All you're doing is creating unnecessary hassle and clutter. With one large drive, everything is together in one location. Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Downloads and Saved games in the root, everything else in sub-folders under them. Simple and clean.
And a perfectly fine way of doing things, if that is your preference. But you now have multiple perspectives on how your situation might be legitimately handled which, after all, is the point, is it not?