Re: [Gptfdisk-general] Windows Vista 32-bit Warning gdisk 0.7.1 - 0.8.4

[Rod S. <rod...@ro...>]

On 05/28/2012 09:48 PM, Alan wrote:
> I have a Windows Vista 32-bit computer with an added Corsair Force 3 SSD
> that came factory partitioned GPT, the microprocessor is a 64-bit Intel
> Core 2 E6300. I am working on my first computer build and will transfer
> this SSD to it as the C: System drive by loading an OS on it in the new
> computer. I want to end up dual booting with Linux and Windows. I will
> wait for Windows 8 later this year. In the meantime I will use Linux to
> set up btrfs partitions to store my data safely from corruption/"bit
> rot". I have not used Linux before and am slowly learning. I have
> decided to use the Linux kernal efi stub to boot with, which currently
> limits me to Ubunto Quantal Quetzal ISOs. In my research I have found
> that GPT fdisk should safely allow me to setup the partitions for GPT
> boot (ESP = EFI System Partition) and MSR (MicroSoft Reserved partition)
> ahead of time so neither install of Linux or Windows will corrupt or
> disturb the other partitions. I have tried to create both the ESP and a
> regular Windows basic partition in the correct spot using gdisk versions
> from 0.7.1 through 0.8.4 with the same result. I can setup either
> partition and verify it with "v" with no errors, but when subsequently
> doing "w" to write the partition to unallocated space (per Microsoft
> Management Console's Disk Management and gdisk) I get the following
> warning and no created partition.
> OK; writing new GUID partition table (GPT) to \\.\physicaldrive2.
> Warning! An error was reported when writing the partition table! This error
> MIGHT be harmless, but you may have trashed the disk!
> Command ( ? for help):
> This same error also happens when trying to delete a partition created
> in gdisk or one I created in Windows as a filler and disposable
> partition. No partitions are ever created or deleted.
>  From what I know gdisk should be able to create a generic data
> partition on this non-boot/data SSD. The SSD has a protective MBR, and
> is partitioned as GPT per both gdisk and Windows. Are there any
> diagnostic tests I can run to determine where the write of the new GPT
> partition is failing?

That is peculiar. Did you see an error that reads:

Unable to save backup partition table! Perhaps the 'e' option on the 
menu will resolve this problem.

If not, then that means that the first write operation succeeded, but at 
least one subsequent operation failed. To further diagnose the problem 
would require either running a version with debug messages inserted or 
running the program via a debugger. I can send you a version with debug 
messages, if you like.

If you don't want to debug this further and just want to get it working, 
you could try a Linux version of the program. The disk I/O functions for 
the two platforms are of course entirely different. I haven't seen any 
recent bug reports about errors like this under Linux, so my suspicion 
is that it'll work for you.

-- 
Rod Smith
rod...@ro...
http://www.rodsbooks.com