GPT Partitioning for Legacy/CSM mode Linux Installations

Why use GPT partitions?
• Ability to properly access drives with capacities greater than 2TiB in size.
• Ability to make up to 128 primary partitions without needing extended and logical partitions.

WARNING:  If Windows is currently installed on your computer and you plan to set-up a dual-boot with Linux, please do not use this tutorial.  Doing such an install may not be possible due to Windows-specific restrictions as to UEFI vs. Legacy mode installations and the partition types that must be used by the respective install modes.  Please, post a help request on the Linux Lite forums before any such attempt, or you risk inadvertently wiping out your Windows installation.

In a nutshell, this tutorial is only geared toward those wishing to install Linux to the drive by itself and are converting a drive from MBR to GPT partitions.  One can also use this for setting up a multi-boot system with more than one Linux distribution.  In that case, make space on the drive for your new installation instead of deleting all current partitions in the steps below.

EDIT (added after original posting):
Just to clear up any potential confusion -- GPT partitions are not "required" for multiple OS booting.  That can be done easily with a traditional MBR partitioned drive as well.  In fact, using GPT partitions is much less common, though it's usage has increased in recent years.  This tutorial is for informational purposes in case someone wants to use GPT partitions.



OTHER NOTES:
Most newer computer (from around 2011-2012 on) use UEFI firmware instead of the older BIOS firmware to handle the initial boot process of the computer after pressing the power button -- referred to as POST (Power On Self Test).  BIOS-based computers only boot in what we're calling "Legacy mode" here.  Most UEFI-based computers can boot in either "UEFI mode", or Legacy/CSM/BIOS mode.  (CSM = Compatibility Support Module.)

Older BIOS-based computers typically have drives using MBR partition tables to store information on the drive's partitions.  MBR partitioned drives have two main drawbacks:  they are limited to using only 4 "primary" partitions and they can only handle addressing disks up to 2TiB in size.  One can get around the 4 partition limit by making one of the primary partitions into an "extended" partition, inside of which several "logical" partitions can be created.

GPT partitioned disks do not need extended and logical partitions because they can handle up to 128 primary partitions.  Also, addressable disk space is significantly larger (up to 8ZiB), so the larger hard drives available today can be easily accomodated.



INSTRUCTIONS:

• Boot live Linux DVD/USB
• Open GParted (found in Menu under System -> Partition Drives).
• Delete any existing partitions on the drive (eg. from prior OS installations that were on the drive).

• If a Swap partition exists, right-click (rt-clk) it and choose "Swapoff" first, then you can delete it.
  
• Rt-clk each remaining partition and choose "Delete".
  
• Click "Apply" button along top of interface, or choose Edit -> Apply All Operations to finalize deletions.
  
• Make GPT partition table by going to Device -> Create Partition Table -> gpt -> Apply.
  

• Size=1-16MB;  leave it unformatted; flagged as "bios_grub".  (Note:  set the flag after hitting "Apply" to create all of your partitions.  Right-click this partition, choose "Manage flags" and pick "bios_grub".)
  
• Size=10-30GB;  format Ext4  (Root partition)
  
• Size=1-2 times RAM; format "linux-swap"  (Swap partition)
  
• Size=rest of disk space;  format Ext4  (Home partition)
  
• Click "Apply" button along top of interface, or choose Edit -> Apply All Operations to finalize creations.
  
• Go back to small, unformatted partition and set the "bios_grub" flag.
  

• bios_grub partition -- no need to do anything with this.  Installer will automatically see and use it.  Just leave it as-is.
  
• Root partition -- keep size as is -- Use as = Ext4 file system -- Mount point = "/"
  
• Swap partition -- keep size as is -- Use as = linux-swap -- no mount point needed
  
• Home partition -- keep size as is -- Use as = Ext 4 file system -- Mount point = "/home"
  
• Device for boot loader installation = /dev/sdX (Substitute correct drive letter that you're installing to in place of "X" without any partition number after it.  Eg. "/dev/sda", not "/dev/sda1".)
  

Originally, windows was in the first partition, got rid of that, and now i wish just to make one large partition of LL... is this possible?

Here is a pic of my layout::



I see that there is a a copy partition action I can utilize somehow, so i was thinking of copying sda5 and move it into the newly created slot at the beginning and getting rid of the extended all together, ---just having one partition, and yes, the swap.

However, to do this, i needed to increase the size of the unallocated space in the beginning, but i was unable to change the size of the extended partition.  So really, the way I was thinking is hopeless.

Can anyone help? ... You can label me as a newb ... I've searched the forums and Internet, and didn't really find what I was looking for.... but if it's already been mentioned .. just point me in the right direction..

*Actually, now looking at it, i see the data I want to move is only 18G which would fit into the unallocated 25G... don't know why i didn't see this before
-so I wouldn't have to move, just copy and paste the partition...right?...Idk

Thanks
(and thanks for the help on the image)

Hi
I have a new install of O.S. 1.0.8 Lite as a dual boot with WIN XP.

How do I find my Passsword /  and how can I change it.

            Thanks.

Hi Guy's. I am absolutely devastated by the latest turn of events. I have been happily using LL2 until today something happened that just cannot happen. Or can it? NO INTERNET CONNECTION.  There it was a blatant as you like. I could use LL2 but not Firefox.
I restarted and switched over to Win XP. Ugh! I hate to have to do that. But on Win XP I did have an internet connection. Otherwise I would not have been able to contact you lads. Phew!
I desperately need to get back online in LL2, but what to do and how to do it?I have TPLink on USB. My WiFi Ethernet is ZyXEL. What can I do Guy's to get my LL2 up and running on the net again? Can anyone spare me a few moments of their valuable time? I hope I have explained this problem ok? Regards. Walt.

Hello,

I recently installed LL 2.0 on a local low power radio station computer for their automation software. I have used LL 2.0 on a number of other computers with no issues, but this computer seems to be missing the "Software Sources" window. It should be available from both Synaptic Package Manager under repositories and Ubuntu Software Center, which i installed. In Ubuntu Software Center, the Software Sources is greyed out.....while in Synaptic, the repositories link is there but no tabs for controlling the auto updates.

This all started when the auto updates were causing issues with the radio automation software and I needed to turn the updates off to avoid conflicts. My other LL 2.0 installs have the Software Sources working just fine, so this machine baffles me.

Any idea how to get or reinstall the software sources so they work correctly???

Thanks

When I installed LL 2.2, there was no sound at all. Then somehow I changed the default output to analogue speakers form HDMI, sound appeared in VLC. Chrome is still dumb. Version 39.0.2171.95. The manual didint fix this issue. The indicators are moving with the voice form the video in chrome but nothing comes out. I tried to install flash plugin but it is not showing up in plug ins. This is the details of adobe flash in chrome plugin -- Adobe Flash Player - Version: 16.0.0.235
            Shockwave Flash 16.0 r0
Name: Shockwave Flash
Description: Shockwave Flash 16.0 r0
Version: 16.0.0.235
Location: /opt/google/chrome/PepperFlash/libpepflashplayer.so
Type: PPAPI (out-of-process


Here is my alsa after changing default HDMI to analouge and disabling auto mute
Can anybody help ? Thanks in advance
R

As title says , I m getting the 505 Error for the last 2-3 days , is that due to the provider , since it was changed lately , or due to LL s website .

Thanx & have a nice one .

http://www.pagnianamericas.com/store/

Would like to have one of these !

What i do after install Linux Lite (and also other Linux distros):

• Uninstall apps that i don't need (i always uninstall Libreoffice, Gimp)
  
• Replace default apps (VLC with SMPlayer, Thunderbird with Claws)
  
• Upgrade apps
  

• smaller ISO
  
• faster install time
  
• download only once, because i will have the latest apps
  
• i can have OS as i like