First, the way to start the computer
1. Friends who have entered the BIOS to adjust the startup items should know that there are two main ways to start: UEFI and Legacy.
The main difference between the two boot methods is that Legacy is suitable for older hardware, while UEFI is suitable for newer hardware. However, the definition of old and new hardware is not always clear-cut.
2. The difference between UEFI and Legacy
- As a newer boot method, UEFI reduces the self-test process compared to Legacy (traditional BIOS), so the boot speed is faster.
- UEFI supports drives of 2TB or more, while Legacy can only boot on drives of 2TB or less. If you're using a Legacy boot computer, you may have trouble adding a hard drive larger than 2TB.
- Some computers only support UEFI boot mode. If you're trying to install a system for such a computer using Legacy, then unfortunately you won't be able to get your computer to boot up.
3. How to determine the current system partitioning method of the computer?
Method 1: After the computer is turned on normally, right-click on the start menu, go to "Disk Management", and find the system installation location. If the entire EFI partition is within 500 MB, it is UEFI boot mode.
Method 2: In the WinPE interface, open Disk Genius, select the hard disk where the system is installed, and check the partition type. If it is GPT, it is the UEFI boot mode.
2. MBR and GUID partitions
1. By understanding the way the computer is turned on, we can draw the following impressions
- The MBR partition mode corresponds to the Legacy boot mode.
- The GUID partition mode corresponds to the UEFI boot mode.
This impression is correct. If your hard drive partition uses MBR, but boot boot uses UEFI, then unfortunately, your computer may not boot up.
2. Logical partition of MBR
- Both MBR and GUID have logical partitions, but there are fewer cases of logical partitions appearing on GUIDs (if they do, it may be that the person installing the system is unprofessional, or an old hard drive was added later).
- Logical partitions cannot be used to install the system. In the MBR partition mode, if the system is installed in a logical partition, it will not boot up. In the GUID partition mode, if the system is installed on the hard disk of the MBR partition, it will not boot.
3. Can the hard disk of the MBR partition appear in the case of UEFI boot mode?
The answer is yes, but the hard disk of the MBR partition can only be used to store data, not to install the system.
3. When to choose UEFI or Legacy?
1. If your computer supports UEFI, then it is recommended to use the UEFI installation method. So far, I haven't come across a computer that doesn't support UEFI.
2. Some computers only support UEFI and you have to use the UEFI boot method. For example, most of the Surface produced by Microsoft does not support Legacy boot mode, but most of the BIOS of other manufacturers still support Legacy.
3. For users who have Windows XP or Windows 7 installed, it is recommended to use the Legacy boot mode. Don't ask me why, just because they're old.
IV. Important Precautions!!
1. Before reinstalling the system, check whether UEFI is supported in the BIOS;
2. Before reinstalling the system in WinPE, check the partition method of the hard disk;
3. When reinstalling the system, pay attention to where the boot file is installed when selecting the partition;
4. After the reinstallation is completed, if it cannot be turned on, please check the partition method and boot file.