Can we change disk label ( using fdisk or parted utility) of a diks from msdos/linux to GPT without losing data?
Say we have a 10 GB disk, having disk label msdos(Linux or hex code 83) and that has ext3 filesystem on 1 GB primary partition.
Here is test output and explanations
Create a 1 GB partition using fdisk label hex code 83 (Linux)- parted detects it as msdos label
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
#
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): n
Command action
e extended
p primary partition (1-4)
p
Partition number (1-4): 1
First cylinder (1-10240, default 1):
Using default value 1
Last cylinder, +cylinders or +size{K,M,G} (1-10240, default 10240): +1G
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
# fdisk /dev/sdb[3@-l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 83 Linux
Create ext3 filesystem on 1G partition created by fdisk, mount it, copy some dummy data and take note of number of files / total size
# mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdb1
mke2fs 1.41.12 (17-May-2010)
warning: 252 blocks unused.
Filesystem label=
OS type: Linux
Block size=4096 (log=2)
Fragment size=4096 (log=2)
Stride=0 blocks, Stripe width=0 blocks
65664 inodes, 262144 blocks
13119 blocks (5.00%) reserved for the super user
First data block=0
Maximum filesystem blocks=268435456
8 block groups
32768 blocks per group, 32768 fragments per group
8208 inodes per group
Superblock backups stored on blocks:
32768, 98304, 163840, 229376
Writing inode tables: 0/81/82/83/84/85/86/87/8done
Creating journal (8192 blocks): done
Writing superblocks and filesystem accounting information: done
This filesystem will be automatically checked every 20 mounts or
180 days, whichever comes first. Use tune2fs -c or -i to override.
#
# mkdir /dummyfs
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs
# cp -a /etc/* /dummyfs/
# ls -lR /dummyfs|wc -l
2465
# du -sh /dummyfs
27M /dummyfs
Unmount it and cahnge disklabel to hex code ee (GPT )
# umount /dummyfs
#
fdisk -l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 83 Linux
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): L
0 Empty 24 NEC DOS 81 Minix / old Lin bf Solaris
1 FAT12 39 Plan 9 82 Linux swap / So c1 DRDOS/sec (FAT-
2 XENIX root 3c PartitionMagic 83 Linux c4 DRDOS/sec (FAT-
3 XENIX usr 40 Venix 80286 84 OS/2 hidden C: c6 DRDOS/sec (FAT-
4 FAT16 <32m 85="" boot="" c7="" extended="" font="" inux="" nbsp="" prep="" yrinx="">
5 Extended 42 SFS 86 NTFS volume set da Non-FS data
6 FAT16 4d QNX4.x 87 NTFS volume set db CP/M / CTOS / .
7 HPFS/NTFS 4e QNX4.x 2nd part 88 Linux plaintext de Dell Utility
8 AIX 4f QNX4.x 3rd part 8e Linux LVM df BootIt
9 AIX bootable 50 OnTrack DM 93 Amoeba e1 DOS access
a OS/2 Boot Manag 51 OnTrack DM6 Aux 94 Amoeba BBT e3 DOS R/O
b W95 FAT32 52 CP/M 9f BSD/OS e4 SpeedStor
c W95 FAT32 (LBA) 53 OnTrack DM6 Aux a0 IBM Thinkpad hi eb BeOS fs
e W95 FAT16 (LBA) 54 OnTrackDM6 a5 FreeBSD ee GPT
f W95 Ext'd (LBA) 55 EZ-Drive a6 OpenBSD ef EFI (FAT-12/16/
10 OPUS 56 Golden Bow a7 NeXTSTEP f0 Linux/PA-RISC b
11 Hidden FAT12 5c Priam Edisk a8 Darwin UFS f1 SpeedStor
12 Compaq diagnost 61 SpeedStor a9 NetBSD f4 SpeedStor
14 Hidden FAT16 <3 63="" ab="" arwin="" boot="" f2="" font="" hurd="" nbsp="" or="" secondary="" sys="">
16 Hidden FAT16 64 Novell Netware af HFS / HFS+ fb VMware VMFS
17 Hidden HPFS/NTF 65 Novell Netware b7 BSDI fs fc VMware VMKCORE
18 AST SmartSleep 70 DiskSecure Mult b8 BSDI swap fd Linux raid auto
1b Hidden W95 FAT3 75 PC/IX bb Boot Wizard hid fe LANstep
1c Hidden W95 FAT3 80 Old Minix be Solaris boot ff BBT
1e Hidden W95 FAT1
Hex code (type L to list codes): ee
Changed system type of partition 1 to ee (GPT)
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 ee GPT
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 ee GPT
After changing label from hexcode type 83 ( Linux ) to GPT, mount did not recognoze filesystem type and not able to mount. Did you loose your data?!! Hold one a second !!
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs/
mount: you must specify the filesystem type
# mount -t ext3 /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs/
mount: special device /dev/sdb1 does not exist
Now change disk label back to hexcode 83 (Linux) from GPT ( hex code ee), mount filesystem and your data is there ! Conclusion: Changing disk label using fdisk from msdos/Linux to GPT will preserve data but you will be not able to mount - hence effectively unusable ( I do not know if there is any way to mount it ! )
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): 83
Changed system type of partition 1 to 83 (Linux)
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 83 Linux
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
# fdisk /dev/sdb
#mount -t ext3 /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs
# ls -lR /dummyfs|wc -l
2465
#
du -sh /dummyfs
27M /dummyfs
Now change disk label from Linux (83) to Linux LVM (8e). You will be able to mount it. Conclusion : Changing label from 83 to 8e preserve data and allow to mount filesystem.
# umount /dummyfs
# fdisk /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): 8e
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 8e Linux LVM
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
#
mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs# ls -lR /dummyfs|wc -l
2465
#
du -sh /dummyfs
27M /dummyfs
Changing label using parted - result loss of partition information in parted print output !!
# umount /dummyfs/
# parted
GNU Parted 2.1
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) select /dev/sdb
Using /dev/sdb
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 16.4kB 1075MB 1075MB primary ext3 lvm
(parted) mklabel
New disk label type? gpt
Warning: The existing disk label on /dev/sdb will be destroyed and all data on this disk will be lost. Do you want to continue?
Yes/No? Yes
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
( nothing printed here )
(parted) rescue
Start? 16.4kB
End? 1075MB
searching for file systems... 3% (time left 00:27)
searching for file systems... 97% (time left 00:00)
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
( nothing printed here )
(parted) quit
Information: You may need to update /etc/fstab.
fdisk still recognize partition as GPT, but you will not be able to mount it.
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sdb'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1305 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1306 10485759+ ee GPT
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs
mount: you must specify the filesystem type
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs-t ext3
mount: special device /dev/sdb1 does not exist
So, once disk label has been changed to GPT using parted, parted do not list partition at all but fdisk still recognize it at GPT.
# parted
GNU Parted 2.1
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) / select /dev/sdb
Using /dev/sdb
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
(parted) quit
#
I am sure there will be some way to deal with using parted or cfdisk or some other utility. Do let me know if you know it.
Say we have a 10 GB disk, having disk label msdos(Linux or hex code 83) and that has ext3 filesystem on 1 GB primary partition.
- Short answer is NO
- Long answer is also NO. On my test system, changing label using fdisk preserve data byt filesystem is not longer mountable. Changing label using parted is complete damage - no data and no mounting !!
Here is test output and explanations
Create a 1 GB partition using fdisk label hex code 83 (Linux)- parted detects it as msdos label
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
#
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): n
Command action
e extended
p primary partition (1-4)
p
Partition number (1-4): 1
First cylinder (1-10240, default 1):
Using default value 1
Last cylinder, +cylinders or +size{K,M,G} (1-10240, default 10240): +1G
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
# fdisk /dev/sdb[3@-l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 83 Linux
Create ext3 filesystem on 1G partition created by fdisk, mount it, copy some dummy data and take note of number of files / total size
# mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdb1
mke2fs 1.41.12 (17-May-2010)
warning: 252 blocks unused.
Filesystem label=
OS type: Linux
Block size=4096 (log=2)
Fragment size=4096 (log=2)
Stride=0 blocks, Stripe width=0 blocks
65664 inodes, 262144 blocks
13119 blocks (5.00%) reserved for the super user
First data block=0
Maximum filesystem blocks=268435456
8 block groups
32768 blocks per group, 32768 fragments per group
8208 inodes per group
Superblock backups stored on blocks:
32768, 98304, 163840, 229376
Writing inode tables: 0/81/82/83/84/85/86/87/8done
Creating journal (8192 blocks): done
Writing superblocks and filesystem accounting information: done
This filesystem will be automatically checked every 20 mounts or
180 days, whichever comes first. Use tune2fs -c or -i to override.
#
# mkdir /dummyfs
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs
# cp -a /etc/* /dummyfs/
# ls -lR /dummyfs|wc -l
2465
# du -sh /dummyfs
27M /dummyfs
Unmount it and cahnge disklabel to hex code ee (GPT )
# umount /dummyfs
#
fdisk -l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 83 Linux
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): L
0 Empty 24 NEC DOS 81 Minix / old Lin bf Solaris
1 FAT12 39 Plan 9 82 Linux swap / So c1 DRDOS/sec (FAT-
2 XENIX root 3c PartitionMagic 83 Linux c4 DRDOS/sec (FAT-
3 XENIX usr 40 Venix 80286 84 OS/2 hidden C: c6 DRDOS/sec (FAT-
4 FAT16 <32m 85="" boot="" c7="" extended="" font="" inux="" nbsp="" prep="" yrinx="">
5 Extended 42 SFS 86 NTFS volume set da Non-FS data
6 FAT16 4d QNX4.x 87 NTFS volume set db CP/M / CTOS / .
7 HPFS/NTFS 4e QNX4.x 2nd part 88 Linux plaintext de Dell Utility
8 AIX 4f QNX4.x 3rd part 8e Linux LVM df BootIt
9 AIX bootable 50 OnTrack DM 93 Amoeba e1 DOS access
a OS/2 Boot Manag 51 OnTrack DM6 Aux 94 Amoeba BBT e3 DOS R/O
b W95 FAT32 52 CP/M 9f BSD/OS e4 SpeedStor
c W95 FAT32 (LBA) 53 OnTrack DM6 Aux a0 IBM Thinkpad hi eb BeOS fs
e W95 FAT16 (LBA) 54 OnTrackDM6 a5 FreeBSD ee GPT
f W95 Ext'd (LBA) 55 EZ-Drive a6 OpenBSD ef EFI (FAT-12/16/
10 OPUS 56 Golden Bow a7 NeXTSTEP f0 Linux/PA-RISC b
11 Hidden FAT12 5c Priam Edisk a8 Darwin UFS f1 SpeedStor
12 Compaq diagnost 61 SpeedStor a9 NetBSD f4 SpeedStor
14 Hidden FAT16 <3 63="" ab="" arwin="" boot="" f2="" font="" hurd="" nbsp="" or="" secondary="" sys="">
16 Hidden FAT16 64 Novell Netware af HFS / HFS+ fb VMware VMFS
17 Hidden HPFS/NTF 65 Novell Netware b7 BSDI fs fc VMware VMKCORE
18 AST SmartSleep 70 DiskSecure Mult b8 BSDI swap fd Linux raid auto
1b Hidden W95 FAT3 75 PC/IX bb Boot Wizard hid fe LANstep
1c Hidden W95 FAT3 80 Old Minix be Solaris boot ff BBT
1e Hidden W95 FAT1
Hex code (type L to list codes): ee
Changed system type of partition 1 to ee (GPT)
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 ee GPT
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 ee GPT
After changing label from hexcode type 83 ( Linux ) to GPT, mount did not recognoze filesystem type and not able to mount. Did you loose your data?!! Hold one a second !!
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs/
mount: you must specify the filesystem type
# mount -t ext3 /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs/
mount: special device /dev/sdb1 does not exist
Now change disk label back to hexcode 83 (Linux) from GPT ( hex code ee), mount filesystem and your data is there ! Conclusion: Changing disk label using fdisk from msdos/Linux to GPT will preserve data but you will be not able to mount - hence effectively unusable ( I do not know if there is any way to mount it ! )
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): 83
Changed system type of partition 1 to 83 (Linux)
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 83 Linux
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
# fdisk /dev/sdb
#mount -t ext3 /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs
# ls -lR /dummyfs|wc -l
2465
#
du -sh /dummyfs
27M /dummyfs
Now change disk label from Linux (83) to Linux LVM (8e). You will be able to mount it. Conclusion : Changing label from 83 to 8e preserve data and allow to mount filesystem.
# umount /dummyfs
# fdisk /dev/sdb
WARNING: DOS-compatible mode is deprecated. It's strongly recommended to
switch off the mode (command 'c') and change display units to
sectors (command 'u').
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): 8e
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 10240 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000a652f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1025 1049584 8e Linux LVM
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
#
mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs# ls -lR /dummyfs|wc -l
2465
#
du -sh /dummyfs
27M /dummyfs
Changing label using parted - result loss of partition information in parted print output !!
# umount /dummyfs/
# parted
GNU Parted 2.1
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) select /dev/sdb
Using /dev/sdb
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 16.4kB 1075MB 1075MB primary ext3 lvm
(parted) mklabel
New disk label type? gpt
Warning: The existing disk label on /dev/sdb will be destroyed and all data on this disk will be lost. Do you want to continue?
Yes/No? Yes
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
( nothing printed here )
(parted) rescue
Start? 16.4kB
End? 1075MB
searching for file systems... 3% (time left 00:27)
searching for file systems... 97% (time left 00:00)
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
( nothing printed here )
(parted) quit
Information: You may need to update /etc/fstab.
fdisk still recognize partition as GPT, but you will not be able to mount it.
# fdisk -l /dev/sdb
WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sdb'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7 GB, 10737418240 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1305 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 1306 10485759+ ee GPT
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs
mount: you must specify the filesystem type
# mount /dev/sdb1 /dummyfs-t ext3
mount: special device /dev/sdb1 does not exist
So, once disk label has been changed to GPT using parted, parted do not list partition at all but fdisk still recognize it at GPT.
# parted
GNU Parted 2.1
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) / select /dev/sdb
Using /dev/sdb
(parted) p
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 10.7GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
(parted) quit
#
I am sure there will be some way to deal with using parted or cfdisk or some other utility. Do let me know if you know it.
