GPT Shared Disks Issue in Windows Server 2003 Clusters

GPT and MBR are two standard layouts used forCause
partition table on a hard disk. In MBR-based partitionThe prime reason for this behavior is that Windows
table, the system inserts the disk partioningServer 2003-based server clusters do not recognize
information in MBR itself, but the same information isGPT disks and cannot read them. The Configuration
placed in GPT header in GPT. The GPT-awareWizard creates a single node cluster after cluster
operating systems checks the partition type to be ofservice in configured on a GPT disk and with a local
type 0xEE that encompasses the entire GPT drive.quorum resource.
But some operating systems' services cannotSolution
recognize this ID and show the disk as inaccessible.To solve the issue, discussed above, you should
So, to solve the issue, you might need to convertremove the cluster service and convert the GPT disk
the GPT disk to basic disk using MBR scheme. Thisto MBR disk. For this, you require to follow these
causes the entire data of partitions to delete. Thus,steps:
you are suggested to backup it prior to perform theClick Start | Administrative Tools | Computer
partition table conversion. However, if you lose itManagement
because of any backup concerns, you should use aClick Disk Management in the console tree
windows partition recovery utility to recover them.Right-click the target GPT disk and click Convert to
For instance, consider you use Windows ServerMBR disk
2003, Windows Server 2003 SP1 or Windows ServerAlternatively, you can choose to run convert mbr
2003 SP2 on a GPT disk. You might notice thesecommand for the target disk. After converting the
symptoms:disk, you need to restore from backup. But if it fails
Cluster service cannot recognize the GPT disks forfor any reason, you need a powerful solution of
shared diskswindows partition recovery. Incorporated with
Server cluster programs and services depending onadvanced partition recovery technology, these
GPT disk resources cannot access the GPT diskswindows partition recovery tools prove to the most
After you install the cluster service, upgrade diskeffective tools at recovering lost data.
option to or from GPT is not available