Hybrid MBR GPT Boot Disk Partition Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing booting disks face issues when connected to latest Windows versions, as they risk damage and become inconvenient due to exposure of the OS region and partition errors, especially when trying to provide both booting and file storage functions.
Innovation Solution
A booting disk with a hybrid MBR partition structure that includes a master boot record (MBR) and a globally unique identifier (GUID) partition table (GPT), featuring a GPT protective partition and MBR storage partition with the same starting address and size, allowing the OS to be hidden and preventing partition errors, enabling safe booting and file storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable storage device is partitioned to provide both OS booting function and file storage function, then the device can serve multiple purposes, but the OS region becomes exposed and vulnerable to damage when connected to certain Windows versions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the removable storage device into distinct partition types: MBR partition (visible as storage) and GPT partition (containing OS, hidden). This segmentation allows Windows to interact only with the MBR partition while the GPT partition remains protected and invisible to the OS, thus providing dual functionality while protecting the OS region from exposure and damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hybrid MBR/GPT partition table structure as an intermediary layer. The MBR partition table presents a storage partition to Windows, while the actual GPT partition table contains the OS partition. This intermediary structure mediates between Windows' expectation of storage devices and the need to hide the OS region, preventing direct access and potential damage
2Ease of operation
If the OS region is exposed on a removable storage device connected to Windows, then the device can be fully utilized, but partition errors occur and the device becomes inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into MBR and GPT partitions with different visibility characteristics, the patent ensures that only the stable, non-OS MBR partition is exposed to Windows. This prevents partition errors from occurring while maintaining full usability of the storage function, as Windows can freely access and manage the MBR storage partition without risking the hidden GPT OS partition
3Reliability
If a protective MBR partition is created to hide the GPT partition, then the OS region is protected, but the partition structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges MBR and GPT partitioning schemes into a hybrid structure where both coexist on the same device. The MBR partition table and GPT partition table work together, with MBR providing the protective visible layer and GPT providing the actual OS storage. This merging achieves protection while maintaining reasonable complexity, as both standards are well-understood and can be implemented using existing tools
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a booting disk including a master boot record (MBR) stored in a first region and a globally unique identifier (GUID) partition table (GPT) stored in a second region, wherein the booting disk has a hybrid MBR partition structure in which an MBR partition used by the MBR and a GPT partition used by the GPT are mixed. The GPT partition may include an operating system (OS) partition configured to store an OS and a GPT storage partition configured to store data, the MBR partition may include a GPT protective partition configured to protect the GPT partition and an MBR storage partition configured to store data, the GPT storage partition and the MBR storage partition may be the same the same starting address and size, a starting address of the GPT protective partition may be a logical block addressing (LBA) #1 of the booting disk, and a partition size thereof is zero.