AfterTen
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Q: Cannot install Windows 8 64 bit - 'Selected Disk is of the GPT partition style'

Trying to install Windows on a MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5. SSD Harddrive (not a fusion drive).

I followed the instructions here...

Set up a Windows partition on your Mac - Apple Support

And even after the "format" step I get the error Selected Disk is of the GPT partition style

Anyone know how to proceed?

Posted on Mar 6, 2016 11:16 AM

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AfterTen

Q: Cannot install Windows 8 64 bit - 'Selected Disk is of the GPT partition style'

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 8, 2016 7:37 PM in response to AfterTen
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Mar 8, 2016 7:37 PM in response to AfterTen

    What is the year/model of your Mac? There are two different partitioning styles, GPT and MBR (and a bridge type called Hybrid MBR). Your choice of the Windows installer (Windows or EFI Boot) needs Hybrid MBR or GPT. You seem to have a conflict between these two which causes the issue.

  • by AfterTen,

    AfterTen AfterTen Mar 9, 2016 3:55 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2016 3:55 AM in response to Loner T

    Mac Pro (Retnia 13-inch Late 2013)

    also listed as MacPro11,1


    Thanks.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 9, 2016 11:30 AM in response to AfterTen
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Mar 9, 2016 11:30 AM in response to AfterTen

    Please post the output of the following OSX Terminal command.

     

    sudo fdisk /dev/disk0

     

    Enter your password when prompted.

  • by AfterTen,

    AfterTen AfterTen Mar 9, 2016 4:49 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2016 4:49 PM in response to Loner T

    Disk: /dev/disk0 geometry: 60821/255/63 [977105060 sectors]

    Signature: 0xAA55

             Starting       Ending

    #: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [     start -       size]

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1: EE 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [         1 -  977105059] <Unknown ID>

    2: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [         0 -          0] unused     

    3: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [         0 -          0] unused     

    4: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [         0 -          0] unused

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 9, 2016 5:03 PM in response to AfterTen
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Mar 9, 2016 5:03 PM in response to AfterTen

    We can create a MBR, and you can try to install Windows 8.

  • by AfterTen,

    AfterTen AfterTen Mar 9, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Loner T

    OK, I'm game. Next step? (I was unsure if your last response was meant to elicit a reply.)

     

    Thanks for the help.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 9, 2016 5:39 PM in response to AfterTen
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Mar 9, 2016 5:39 PM in response to AfterTen

    I assume you are not running El Capitan. Download GPT Fdisk - https://sourceforge.net/projects/gptfdisk/ .

     

    Rebuild MBR to match the new GPT information thus resetting the Hybrid MBR. Use defaults for other questions (like partition codes). The only values that need modifications are the Boot flags and step 10. Accept all other defaults that Gdisk offers. Please see the sample Q&A as an example. These steps can be repeated if you make a mistake before you get to Step 12, otherwise start from Step 1 for these steps. Step 6 has numbers which are typed with a space between the numbers. Please see the sample Q&A before you execute these steps.

    1. Sudo gdisk /dev/rdisk0
    2. P  (Print list of parts)
    3. R  (Recover)
    4. O (print current Hybrid MBR)
    5. H (chooses Hybrid)
    6. Partitions numbers to be hybridized: 2 3 4
    7. Y  (Good for GRUB question)
    8. N  (part 2 boot flag)
    9. N  (part 3 boot flag)
    10. N  (part 4 boot flag - Windows Installer will mark NTFS as a bootable partition)
    11. O  (print current Hybrid MBR)
    12. W (Write the new MBR)
    13. Y (Yes! write the new MBR)
    14. Reboot

     

    Here is sample Q&A for this section. Please notice the Press Enter/Return.

     

    Place EFI GPT (0xEE) partition first in MBR (good for GRUB)? (Y/N): Y

     

    Creating entry for GPT partition #2 (MBR partition #2)

    Enter an MBR hex code (default AF): Press Enter/Return

    Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N

     

    Creating entry for GPT partition #3 (MBR partition #3)

    Enter an MBR hex code (default AB): Press Enter/Return

    Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N

     

    Creating entry for GPT partition #4 (MBR partition #4)

    Enter an MBR hex code (default 07): Press Enter/Return

    Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N

  • by AfterTen,

    AfterTen AfterTen Mar 9, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Loner T

    Correct this computer is running Yosemite - 10.10.5

    I will try this tomorrow and get back to you with results or questions.