Delete the GPT Protective Partition in Windows XP


Occasionally you might find yourself unable to initialise or format an external hard drive with a GPT (GUID Partition Table) Protective Partition. There is a quick and easy fix to this problem, and only requires a few simple commands at the Windows Command Prompt:


1 - Open the DOS Command Prompt Window (Click on "Start", then "Run". Type "cmd" in the text box, then Click OK)

2 - At the Command Prompt, type "diskpart"

3 - Type "list disk" at the DISKPART Command Prompt

4 - Make a note of the Disk Number that you wish to remove the GPT Partition from

5 - Type "select disk 1" if disk 1 is the GPT disk

6 - Type the command "clean"


This will remove the GPT partition from the selected disk.


7 - After this, type "exit" to end the Diskpart command line.



To continue with the initialisation of this drive/volume, proceed to Disk Management:


8 - Click "Start", then right-click on "My Computer"

9 - Click on "Manage", then on "Disk Management"

10 - Right click on "Disk Info", and select "Initialise Disk"