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backed up MBR disc restored as GPT disk

Thread solved

Hi

I'm new to Acronis. I'm using Acronis True Image for Crucial, Version 2021 Build 39450.

I have successfully used the cloning facility to transfer a GPT formatted Windows HDD to a SSD.

I am now working on a separate laptop. This is older, and the source 500GB Windows disc (Windows 10) is MBR formatted as the BIOS requires this.

The target disk is a 250GB Crucial MX500. I initialised this disk, selecting MBR format.

I installed Acronis True Image on the laptop and created a WinPE Rescue Media USB stick.

I removed the original HDD and installed the SSD. I connected the original HDD using a SATA to USB dock.

When I tried to run Acronis from WinPE it reported an error and suggested I use a Linux based media.

I created a Linux based Rescue Media USB stick and was now able to run Acronis from this stick.

I successfully made a backup of the original HDD.

I then restored the backup to the new SSD, also apparently successfully; however, when I tried to boot from this disk, there was no progress beyond the initial BIOS choices screen.

On checking the format of the SSD I found that it had been converted to GPT format. As this is incompatibe with the laptop BIOS, it won't boot (ever!)

I can't see any option to ensure the restore keeps the original MBR format but may have missed this.

Any help gratefully received!

Richard

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Posts: 2
Comments: 1727

Hello Richard!

Verify BIOS settings: In some cases, even with the correct partition style, the laptop's BIOS settings may need adjustment to boot from the new SSD. Ensure that the BIOS is configured to prioritize booting from the SSD, and double-check any other relevant settings.

Before performing the restore: Ensure that the target SSD is initialized and formatted with the MBR partition style. You mentioned that you initialized the disk as MBR, so make sure that the restore process doesn't inadvertently convert it to GPT during the restore.

Check the restore settings: When performing the restore operation in Acronis True Image, carefully review the options and settings to ensure that the MBR format is preserved. Look for any options related to disk partitioning or formatting and make sure they are set to maintain the MBR format.

Please check also this KB: https://kb.acronis.com/content/59873 - The part that says: Recovered system does not boot and apply the suggestions.

If the issue persists, please contact Crucial so they can help you : https://kb.acronis.com/content/69735

Thanks in advance!

Richard,

Dependent on how old your old laptop is it may be able to boot via a GPT formatted disk using UEFI even though it currently uses MBR format and boots using Legacy/BIOS to do so.

If the above is correct when attempting to boot the the WinPE media there should be two boot options to boot the media. One option for UEFI/GPT boot and one for Legacy/BIOS boot. 

I recommend that you find out how to activate whats called the one-time boot menu on your laptop.  Such menu is usually triggered by rapid tapping of an F key or Fn-F key combo during the boot process.  Once activated this menu will display both boot options if available.  An entry showing only a reference to the flash medium device will boot the medium in Legacy/BIOS mode.  An entry with UEFI or EFI in the description of the menu will boot or attempt to boot using UEFI/GPT.  If your device does not have UEFI enabled as the boot method you likely will get an error such as you describe here.

Thanks to both of you - I tried to mark both as solutions, but the system only allows one!

I re-tried the whole process, using WinPE media again - this time successfully and the restoration to the new SSD resulted in the laptop booting correctly from it.

Best wishes
Richard

Good news Richard!  Thanks for letting us know.

frestogaslorastaswastavewroviwroclolacorashibushurutraciwrubrishabenichikucrijorejenufrilomuwrigaslowrikejawrachosleratiswurelaseriprouobrunoviswosuthitribrepakotritopislivadrauibretisetewrapenuwrapi
Posts: 2
Comments: 1727

Richard Brock wrote:

Thanks to both of you - I tried to mark both as solutions, but the system only allows one!

I re-tried the whole process, using WinPE media again - this time successfully and the restoration to the new SSD resulted in the laptop booting correctly from it.

Best wishes
Richard

Thanks for sharing what helped to solve the issue.

Cheers.