[parted-devel] [PATCH] GPT -> MBR synchronization

[H. Peter Anvin]

Alexander Graf wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> pretty much since Macs started a hybrid GPT/MBR approach there were 
> several attempts to get to a solution on using GPT on BIOS-based 
> computers. Unfortunately up to today I know of none that actually made 
> it somewhere except for the manual Mac syncing approach.
> 
> So my approach is trying to go the easiest way I could think of: always 
> sync. Instead of writing a fake MBR, when this code is enabled, it tries 
> to construct primary MBR entries from the first partitions it finds in 
> the GPT. This means, that as long as the partition we want to boot from 
> is within the first four partitions, everything will be fine.
> 
> This enables a user that is aware of this restriction to have a fully 
> working hybrid GPT/MBR setup, enabling him to boot without much 
> intervention on an Intel Mac and with disks >2TB.
> 

I would think a better idea would be to sync the active (bootable) 
partition.  Assuming it is the first 3 (or 4) partitions seems a bit of 
a lose.

	-hpa