I need to reinstall windows 8 but can't due to my disk being a GPT

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FPC

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May 8, 2014
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Hi there.
My problem is actually worse than it sounds I think. I have an MSI CX61 and recently I noticed that my Nvidia GPU was no longer detected by my device manager. Now I know that it works because I can see it working when I open my laptop up. I called MSI to ask what I should do and they suggested that I re install windows 8.

I have windows 8 o a USB and when I tried installing it, I got and error message saying I couldn't install the OS because my laptop's hard disk is a GPT.

I have found a way to convert it to MBR, but the program will not let me do so because it can't convert my OS_install partition without losing data and therefore rendering the program useless.

I have thought about wiping the disk completely and then booting windows directly from the USB but that would mean losing a partition called BIOS_RVY, which I am not sure exactly what purpose it serves. It is quite a big partition, almost 10 GB.

My worry is that by wiping the disk, I will essentially brick my computer.

Can anyone help me?

Thanks.
 
Solution
dodger46
Your laptop should have a Recovery Partition, (BIOS_RVY?) which is accessed via F3 at power on.
Should see a menu including Windows Setup (EMS Enabled). This will restore your Laptop to Factory Settings.
Meanwhile as you have a W8 Installation disk, can you boot into the Troubleshoot Menu by choosing Repair instead of trying to Install? If so try Safe Mode with Networking and re-install your GPU Driver. (Safe mode only uses GPU in VGA mode so should work)
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dodger46

dodger46

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Nov 19, 2011
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Your laptop should have a Recovery Partition, (BIOS_RVY?) which is accessed via F3 at power on.
Should see a menu including Windows Setup (EMS Enabled). This will restore your Laptop to Factory Settings.
Meanwhile as you have a W8 Installation disk, can you boot into the Troubleshoot Menu by choosing Repair instead of trying to Install? If so try Safe Mode with Networking and re-install your GPU Driver. (Safe mode only uses GPU in VGA mode so should work)
 
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Solution
F

FPC

Reputable
May 8, 2014
3
0
4,510


I tried that but it turns out most of my files were corrupted. I read up on a few forums and found the answer on the microsoft Q&A of all places! It suggest to just go ahead with the install, but disable safe boot in the BIOS for the installation. This allowed me to manipulate the drive using command prompt. I wiped the disk, expecting to lose all my partitions, but only my OS Install partition got wiped, meaning I kept all the other files. I found the answer here :
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn336946.aspx.

Thank you all for your help. I think I can handle it from here :)
 
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