MBR2GPT Disk layout validation failed

Gardarr · 04 Sep 2021

Hey all,

With Windows 11 releasing soon I figured it was finally time to convert my boot drive to GPT. I am using the MBR2GPT tool but every time I validate it I get:
MBR2GPT: Attempting to validate disk 1
MBR2GPT: Retrieving layout of disk
MBR2GPT: Validating layout, disk sector size is: 512 bytes
Disk layout validation failed for disk 1

Looking into setuperr it says I have been given the information of:
2021-09-04 01:26:37, Error ValidateLayout: First partition too close to the beginning of the disk. Should start at offset 17408 or above, found at 4096

2021-09-04 01:26:37, Error Disk layout validation failed for disk 1

Here is a picture of my disk management:

MBR2GPT Disk layout validation failed-disk-management.png

I have tried to do my research on this but can't seem to find any solution. This is all of the information that I can think of that might be helpful, but please if there is anything that you think that can help please ask! Thank you all so much for the help!

Windows Version: 10.0.19041 Build 19041

Paul Black · 04 Sep 2021

Hello @Gardarr,
Welcome to TenForums.

Have a look at this => How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

I hope this helps.

Gardarr · 04 Sep 2021

Paul Black said:

Hello @Gardarr,
Welcome to TenForums.

Have a look at this => How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the quick response! I went through the thread you linked but sadly I couldn't find anyone that had the same issue that I do. Most people who have the Disk Layout Validation Failed issue seem to have 4+ partitions, and not the "First partition too close to the beginning of the disk" issue that I am having. I did try unallocating around 3 gigs on my boot drive just in case that would do something but sadly it came out with the exact same error. Thanks again for the response!

Ghot · 04 Sep 2021

Gardarr said:

Thanks for the quick response! I went through the thread you linked but sadly I couldn't find anyone that had the same issue that I do. Most people who have the Disk Layout Validation Failed issue seem to have 4+ partitions, and not the "First partition too close to the beginning of the disk" issue that I am having. I did try unallocating around 3 gigs on my boot drive just in case that would do something but sadly it came out with the exact same error. Thanks again for the response!

If you use Macrium Reflect, you might try using the Macrium bootable Rescue Media's, "Fix Windows Boot Problems".
That may give you the required offset you need.

Even if you don't use it... you could install Macrium Reflect (free) and create the bootable Rescue Media, then use that to try and fix that issue.

Macrium Software | Reflect Free Edition

I also had Windows 10 installed on an MBR partition. During the conversion from MBR2GPT, I know I used Macrium's "fix windows boot problems" in there somewhere.

I used this command, run in an elevated command prompt... mbr2gpt /convert /allowfullOS

There was no room on my Windows drive for the EFI system partition, but that command stole 100MB from the C:\ drive to create it.

After the conversion you will have to enter the BIOS and change a few settings, like this...

This is from my motherboard, but yours should be similar...

MBR2GPT Disk layout validation failed-image1.png

After that, try and boot into Windows. If you can't boot into Windows... run Macrium's "Fix Windows boot problems" again.

Note: Macrium's "Fix Windows boot problems" won't harm anything. It will either help or it won't, but it won't mess up your Windows install.

?edit

Here, this is from YOUR motherboard manual... You will have to do this after you convert to GPT.
When in the BIOS hit the F7 key to switch to advanced mode.

Under SETTINGS

Check under Secure Boot, too. Your manual doesn't show me what's under that heading.

/edit2

Here is how to create the bootable media in Macrium Reflect v8...
In step #2... choose whichever you want... USB or CD