SliTaz Forum

akm

Member

Registered: 2018-02-03

Posts: 79

I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

I like SliTaz. I don't know much about bootloaders and partition tables, so install the OSs I like and then Debian (I like it too). That handles everything. So, will SliTaz be able to run properly if I set up GPT? Should I install rolling like I always did? Or is there a testing ISO I might help you with or something(It's not my main OS anyways - I just install it on the main computer)? I can't really code, but every hand is of use, right? I've also got CD-RWs.

HGT

Administrator

From: Germany

Registered: 2016-03-25

Posts: 170

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

I installed several SliTaz's in partitions of a GPT partioned disk. They are booted by GRUB2.

Guest

Guest

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

You can have a GPT set-up for a linux-only system, for either a UEFI or Legacy-only (BIOS) supported motherboard. First, you need to identify which one you have. That's important to know, as it will determine how you partition the drive that contains your operating system(s).

However, if you have a dual-boot or multi-boot system, that includes Windows OS (7, 8 or 10), then a GPT system won't work on Legacy-only hardware, and you'll have to use an MBR set-up.

To identify which motherboard type you have (UEFI or Legacy), you need to look in the setup utility or PC settings of your machine - to access this you need to press the relevant Fn-key for your computer make/model during boot-up: this is usually Esc, F2 or F12 ...

akm

Member

Registered: 2018-02-03

Posts: 79

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

I found the computer to have UEFI. What do I do now?

HGT

Administrator

From: Germany

Registered: 2016-03-25

Posts: 170

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

Shall SliTaz be the only system to be installed on disk or are there some other systems already installed?

Is the disk GPT partitioned and has it an EFI system parition?

akm

Member

Registered: 2018-02-03

Posts: 79

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

I was able to get it installed next to Debian and Windows by installing Windows first, SliTaz second and Debian last. Debian's GRUB boots SliTaz just fine, but not Windows. I have another way to boot that. In the end, it runs on my Ryzen-based system alongside Debian now, but it uses no more than about 3.8GB of RAM. The system has both UEFI and GPT.

akm

Member

Registered: 2018-02-03

Posts: 79

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

I was able to get it installed next to Debian and Windows by installing Windows first, SliTaz second and Debian last. Debian's GRUB boots SliTaz just fine, but not Windows. In the end, it runs on my Ryzen-based system alongside Debian now, but it uses no more than about 3.8GB of RAM. The system has both UEFI and GPT.

akm

Member

Registered: 2018-02-03

Posts: 79

Re: I am about to install a new main HDD. GPT or MBR?

By the way: Debian's GRUB is GRUB2.