Converting VHDX from GPT to MBR (to Fix Failed P2V Conversion)

There are many user reports of P2V conversion failures when using tools like System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Disk2Vhd, VMware P2V Assistant, or PlateSpin Migrate.

"The Virtual Machine Management P2V Agent service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 1 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 0 milliseconds: Restart the service."

If you receive an error similar to the one above during a P2V conversion, it is likely that your machine has a disk formatted with GUID Partition Table (GPT). Please read on from this article from the tool on how to convert a VHDX from GPT to MBR to resolve the issue.

Why Would You Need to Convert VHDX from GPT to MBR?

Hyper-V does not support EFI or UEFI BIOS, and P2V conversion tools like VMM do not support converting computers with GPT disks. Therefore, you must first convert the GPT disks to Master Boot Record (MBR) format to ensure successful migration of a physical computer with GPT disks to a VM.

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How to Convert VHDX from GPT to MBR

Now that you know the reasons for P2V failure, let's see an easy way to convert VHDX to MBR.

To convert machines with GPT partitions, you'd initially need to switch those GPT partitions to MBR. The challenge lies in how to perform this conversion without data loss, especially if programs and files are already installed on the VHDX.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional would be your best choice. As one of the most acclaimed disk partition managers, this reliable tool offers a disk converter to convert a virtual disk from GPT to MBR and vice versa.

With the Partition Master tool, you can skip the backup and restore process and complete the GPT/MBR conversion without losing any data on the VHDX.

First, you can use a partition assistant tool to mount the VHDX. Then, follow these steps to easily convert VHDX to MBR:

Step 1. Install and launch tools Partition Master on your computer, and get to the "Disk Conversion" section.

Step 2: Select "Convert GPT to MBR" and click "Next" to proceed.

Step 3: Select the target GPT disk that you want to convert to MBR and click on "Convert" to start the conversion.

After you convert the VHDX from GPT to MBR, restart the computer, and then you should be able to successfully convert the physical machine to a virtual machine by using Disk2Vhd, VMM, or another tool.

In addition to converting virtual disks between GPT and MBR, the Partition Master tool also supports:

• Mount and unmount virtual hard disks
• Resize virtual hard disk
• Create partitions on a virtual hard disk
• Format virtual hard disk
• Clone VHD to physical disk

Conclusions

If you're looking for a solution to fix the PV2 conversion failed issue, this page has got you covered. A professional disk conversion tool – AOMEI Partition Assistant, can convert VHDX from GPT to MBR without data loss. It also offers various powerful features to help you manage and virtual disks more efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Converting VHDX from GPT to MBR 1. **What is the VHDX file format?** - VHDX (Virtual Hard Disk eXtensible) is a virtual hard disk format developed by Microsoft for use with Hyper-V virtual machines. It supports larger disk sizes and provides data integrity protection. 2. **What are GPT and MBR?** - **GPT** (GUID Partition Table) is a modern partitioning format that supports up to 128 partitions and is used for large disks (greater than 2TB). - **MBR** (Master Boot Record) is an older partitioning format that supports a maximum of 4 primary partitions or 3 primary partitions plus 1 extended partition, with a maximum disk size of 2TB. 3. **Why would you need to convert a VHDX from GPT to MBR?** - You might need to convert because some older operating systems or virtualization platforms don't support GPT, or you want to leverage MBR's compatibility advantages. 4. **How do you change the partition table type in a VHDX in Windows?** - You can use the `diskpart` command-line tool to perform the conversion. First, attach the VHDX file, then use the `list disk` command to find the corresponding disk number. Next, select the disk and use the `convert mbr` or `convert gpt` command to make the conversion. 5. **Will data be lost during the conversion process?** - Changing the partition table type itself should not directly cause data loss, but it's essential to back up important data beforehand to guard against accidents. 6. **Will I need to reinstall the operating system after the conversion?** - Not necessarily. If your VHDX contains an installed OS, you may need to repair the boot sector after the conversion. For Windows, you can use the `bootrec.exe` command to fix it. 7. **Can I perform the conversion while the virtual machine is running?** - It's not recommended. It's best to perform the conversion when the virtual machine is off to avoid data corruption or consistency issues. 8. **Will the converted VHDX be usable in environments other than Hyper-V?** - The converted VHDX should work in any environment that supports the VHDX format, but ensure the target environment supports the partition table type you've used (MBR or GPT). 9. **How long does the conversion process take?** - Conversion time depends on the size of the VHDX file. Generally, it's a relatively quick process, but allow sufficient time for it to complete. 10. **Are there third-party tools that can simplify this process?** - Yes, there are third-party disk management utilities, such as Acronis True Image or tools Partition Master, which offer graphical interfaces that streamline the VHDX partition table conversion process.

Here are some frequently asked questions by other users that you might find interesting.

Does Hyper-V support UEFI?

Yes, Generation 2 VMs support UEFI, but Generation 1 VMs support only traditional BIOS.

2. Which is better: VHD or VHDX?

While VHDX offers 64 TB of storage capacity, better data protection, and improved performance, VHD is limited to 2 TB and has more restrictions. However, users should choose the one that best suits their needs.

3. Can I clone my operating system to a virtual machine?

Yes, you can use professional tools like Partition Master to clone the Windows operating system to a virtual machine. This utility allows you to clone the OS to a virtual hard disk with just a few simple steps.