GPT Protective Partition help.

GARoss · Feb 25, 2023

DigitalGoat said:
Where did you get the drive, apparently it is a 6TB SkyHawk series surveillance drive, normally sold as a bare unit for video use in security systems.

It's been awhile but I believe it was NewEgg.com

GARoss · Feb 25, 2023

DigitalGoat said:
That was not my point in asking, I am more curious as to why it only allows 2TB of the 6TB to be visible/ usable, maybe the method used to aquire the drive might shed light on it.
Although this is just curiosity on my part and may not be related to the original issue the OP requested help with, the GPT Protective partition.

Sir_George said:
The OP stated he used/uses the drive for backup and since a hard disk used in surveillance systems is used to write data 90% of the time and 10% for playback I believe that would be beneficial.

It has been a while since I bought this 6TB drive. As it was to use was for a USB backup drive, Windows, at that time (7, 10? don't remember), didn't recognize large 6TB drives from USB. I had to plug the drive inside my PC, format it, then install in the USB external.

Remembering the above, I just completed a clean install of Windows 11 Pro on a new drive this week. The older Windows 11 Pro was installed over Windows 10 Pro so there no issues with this drive. But, with the clean install perhaps that may have an effect on the drive. Maybe?

I can't do it now but soon I'll try the drive inside my PC to see if there's a difference. Probably early next upcoming week. Thanks for your help!

GARoss · Feb 25, 2023

grumpus said:
It's formatted fat32 which has a 2TB filesystem size limit.

It was formatted as NTFS 6TB. I have large video files, far larger than 4Gb FAT32 limit.

SEE my Post #22:
"It has been a while since I bought this 6TB drive. As it was to use was for a USB backup drive, Windows, at that time (7, 10? don't remember), didn't recognize large 6TB drives from USB. I had to plug the drive inside my PC, format it, then install in the USB external."

DigitalGoat · Feb 25, 2023

I wonder if perhaps the external enclosure does not support 6TB drives and caused the issue?
Regardless OP you can attempt to delete all partitions on the drive and start fresh if you have no data on it that you need, but understanding what happened and why could prevent data loss in the future at a time you can't afford the drive to 'have issues' if used for backup purposes.

This time round keep a close check on what happens after you re partition and format the drive & if you move the drive between systems (if you have more than one) and after replacing it in the external enclosure.
I think without a clear memory of how the drive was initially handled the reason for the GPT Protective state may not be solvable.

The links supplied by me & others here point to 3rd party disk manager apps that attempt to explain the reason that can cause the GPT Protective state, but there a several reasons and I don't think you will be able to pin it down to any particular one.
Obviously they would all like you to buy thier app to resolve the issue, but there are free alternatives, so unless you are happy to spend the money you have other options.

GARoss · Feb 27, 2023

It has been a while since I bought this 6TB drive. As it was to use was for a USB backup drive, Windows, at that time (7, 10? don't remember), didn't recognize large 6TB drives from USB. I had to plug the drive inside my PC, format it, then install in the USB external.

GARoss said:
Remembering the above, I just completed a clean install of Windows 11 Pro on a new drive this week. The older Windows 11 Pro was installed over Windows 10 Pro so there no issues with this drive. But, with the clean install perhaps that may have an effect on the drive. Maybe?

I can't do it now but soon I'll try the drive inside my PC to see if there's a difference. Probably early next upcoming week. Thanks for your help!

I didn't have time this past weekend to remove the drive in question & plug it into my new Windows 11 Pro clean install PC. I did this morning.

Not only did the drive function properly while installed, but it also now functions properly back in its external housing with it plugged into a USB port. There's nothing wrong with the drive, just a quirk within Windows, I guess.

I consider this post solved. That's to all for your support!

DigitalGoat · Feb 27, 2023

Best result, glad you sorted it.

Artemesia · Aug 14, 2023

Hi I just want to share that I have the same problem, but this time I am using a 12gb SSD. Here's what happened to me

When I plugged in the ssd to the laptop, it does not show up in the windows explorer because it is new. So I had to go to “create and format hard disk partition” to set up the newly plugged ssd.

When I opened the “create and format hard disk partion setting” it prompted me to choose between GPT and MBR. I chose GPT and then suddenly it says “GPT protective partition” which made the sdd unconfigurable.

Then I used CMD diskpart to clean the ssd successfully… on the second try of setting up the ssd I chose MBR, in which in which “new simple volume wizard” worked, I go to the steps carefully and when it was quick formatting the sdd to which is the last step to finish setting up the new ssd, a prompt saying “the format did not complete successfully” showed up. When I try to access it in windows explorer it says drive E: is not accessible.

After that I used CMD diskpart again to clean the drive, and this time instead of using my laptop, I used my brother’s pc. And in his PC everything went well, there was no “GPT protective partition” showing and even if it is in GPT partition style, there were “new simple volume wizard” option showing.

So what happened was, I set up the drive in my brother’s pc and everything was fine. I plugged it back to my laptop, and it worked fine. I transferred my 30gb worth of school files and personal files to the new ssd, and it went fine.
Until 5hrs later, a notification popped on my screen saying that I have to restart my laptop to solve some disk problem. I restarted my laptop and then the new ssd can’t be seen any more in windows explorer.

Then I go to “create and format hard disk partition” to see what happened, and it prompted me again to choose between GPT and MBR. I chose GPT again and “GPT protective partition” was back again. The same problem from the start is back again.

The ssd is empty again and can’t be configured, there were no options like “new simple volume wizard” again. The ssd is empty along with my personal and school files are gone.

I checked on the bios if the drive is detected, I've used minitool partition too, and chkdsk, an there was nothing wrong with the drive.

I can only conclude that windows 11 it at fault here

SIW2 · Aug 14, 2023

what is the make and model of the disk?

MisterEd · Aug 14, 2023

Artemesia said:
Hi I just want to share that I have the same problem, but this time I am using a 12gb SSD. Here's what happened to me

When I plugged in the ssd to the laptop, it does not show up in the windows explorer because it is new. So I had to go to “create and format hard disk partition” to set up the newly plugged ssd.

When I opened the “create and format hard disk partion setting” it prompted me to choose between GPT and MBR. I chose GPT and then suddenly it says “GPT protective partition” which made the sdd unconfigurable.

Then I used CMD diskpart to clean the ssd successfully… on the second try of setting up the ssd I chose MBR, in which in which “new simple volume wizard” worked, I go to the steps carefully and when it was quick formatting the sdd to which is the last step to finish setting up the new ssd, a prompt saying “the format did not complete successfully” showed up. When I try to access it in windows explorer it says drive E: is not accessible.

After that I used CMD diskpart again to clean the drive, and this time instead of using my laptop, I used my brother’s pc. And in his PC everything went well, there was no “GPT protective partition” showing and even if it is in GPT partition style, there were “new simple volume wizard” option showing.

So what happened was, I set up the drive in my brother’s pc and everything was fine. I plugged it back to my laptop, and it worked fine. I transferred my 30gb worth of school files and personal files to the new ssd, and it went fine.
Until 5hrs later, a notification popped on my screen saying that I have to restart my laptop to solve some disk problem. I restarted my laptop and then the new ssd can’t be seen any more in windows explorer.

Then I go to “create and format hard disk partition” to see what happened, and it prompted me again to choose between GPT and MBR. I chose GPT again and “GPT protective partition” was back again. The same problem from the start is back again.

The ssd is empty again and can’t be configured, there were no options like “new simple volume wizard” again. The ssd is empty along with my personal and school files are gone.

I checked on the bios if the drive is detected, I've used minitool partition too, and chkdsk, an there was nothing wrong with the drive.

I can only conclude that windows 11 it at fault here

Since this has nothing to do with the original thread you need to start your own thread or ask the moderator to do it for you.

In any case what is the size of the SSD? There are no 12gb SSDs.

It would be helpful to post the brand and model number for your SSD. Better yet post a link to SSD where you bought it.

Artemesia · Aug 14, 2023

Artemesia said:
Hi I just want to share that I have the same problem, but this time I am using a 12gb SSD. Here's what happened to me

When I plugged in the ssd to the laptop, it does not show up in the windows explorer because it is new. So I had to go to “create and format hard disk partition” to set up the newly plugged ssd.

When I opened the “create and format hard disk partion setting” it prompted me to choose between GPT and MBR. I chose GPT and then suddenly it says “GPT protective partition” which made the sdd unconfigurable.

Then I used CMD diskpart to clean the ssd successfully… on the second try of setting up the ssd I chose MBR, in which in which “new simple volume wizard” worked, I go to the steps carefully and when it was quick formatting the sdd to which is the last step to finish setting up the new ssd, a prompt saying “the format did not complete successfully” showed up. When I try to access it in windows explorer it says drive E: is not accessible.

After that I used CMD diskpart again to clean the drive, and this time instead of using my laptop, I used my brother’s pc. And in his PC everything went well, there was no “GPT protective partition” showing and even if it is in GPT partition style, there were “new simple volume wizard” option showing.

So what happened was, I set up the drive in my brother’s pc and everything was fine. I plugged it back to my laptop, and it worked fine. I transferred my 30gb worth of school files and personal files to the new ssd, and it went fine.
Until 5hrs later, a notification popped on my screen saying that I have to restart my laptop to solve some disk problem. I restarted my laptop and then the new ssd can’t be seen any more in windows explorer.

Then I go to “create and format hard disk partition” to see what happened, and it prompted me again to choose between GPT and MBR. I chose GPT again and “GPT protective partition” was back again. The same problem from the start is back again.

The ssd is empty again and can’t be configured, there were no options like “new simple volume wizard” again. The ssd is empty along with my personal and school files are gone.

I checked on the bios if the drive is detected, I've used minitool partition too, and chkdsk, an there was nothing wrong with the drive.

I can only conclude that windows 11 it at fault h

MisterEd said:
Since this has nothing to do with the original thread you need to start your own thread or ask the moderator to do it for you.

In any case what is the size of the SSD? There are no 12gb SSDs.

It would be helpful to post the brand and model number for your SSD. Better yet post a link to SSD where you bought it.

Sorry it was my mistake, I meant 120gb SSD. It's a kingston SSD, A400 SATA SSD to be precise. I bought it from a reseller in an online shopping app called lazada

Artemesia · Aug 14, 2023

SIW2 said:
what is the make and model of the disk?

It's a kingston 120gb A400 SATA SSD. Sorry I typed 12gb earlier

SIW2 · Aug 14, 2023

You could use the manufacturer software to sanitize the disk which clears everything often described as back to fresh out of box state. It doesnt get rid of the firmware or the smart data.

if they dont provide relevant software, you can use the solidigm synergy secure erase which they say works for all brands. I have used it for non solidigm disks.

this is how micron describe it:

All data in the user space is completely and irretrievably
erased, and every block in the user space is ready to
accept new host-written data, which moves the drive to
its highest performance state (FOB). However, some data
must be left in place; this includes data required for normal
drive operation: SSD firmware copies that reside in the
NAND, all SMART data, and retired NAND block mapping
tables.

Artemesia · Aug 15, 2023

SIW2 said:
You could use the manufacturer software to sanitize the disk which clears everything often described as back to fresh out of box state. It doesnt get rid of the firmware or the smart data.

if they dont provide relevant software, you can use the solidigm synergy secure erase which they say works for all brands. I have used it for non solidigm disks.

this is how micron describe it:

hi, i'm not quite techy and i might not understand some terms. but i tried Kingston SSD manager which has secure erase feature too. but for some reason it cant detect my SSD only my other kingston drive is detected... see the pdf file i've attached. it has all information of what i've tried so far. it might be even repetitive

zbook · Aug 15, 2023

Please open a new thread.

In the new thread indicate whether you do or do not currently have access to an empty bay on another computer or a HD enclosure for testing purposes.

Artemesia · Aug 15, 2023

zbook said:
Please open a new thread.

In the new thread indicate whether you do or do not currently have access to an empty bay on another computer or a HD enclosure for testing purposes.

sorry for the trouble. i don't want to create a new thread as i think i'll close my case now, I've decided to return the drive to the seller. and I don't have any hdd enclosure for testing... one thing that i found tho when converting mbr to gpt is that all the space in the drive is being used, because of that there are no more space left to complete the conversion maybe that is what the 2080.48 GB gpt protective partition means?. i dont know really

. thank you for all the assistance

zbook · Aug 15, 2023

There are multiple types of drive tests.
When testing drives do not rely on SMART results.
SMART results are typically used to predict drive failure.
In our forum rooms we see drives with excellent SMART results that had failed other drive tests.

Crystal Disk displays only SMART results.

HD Sentinel, HD Tune and other software display SMART results.

Make sure that you test: Long generic or Long DST

Some software that have the Long Generic test and SMART include: Sea Tools and GSmartControl

SeaTools | Seagate US

SeaTools - Quick diagnostic tool that checks the health of your drive.

www.seagate.com

GSmartControl · Hard disk drive and SSD health inspection tool

GSmartControl Hard disk drive and SSD health inspection tool GSmartControl is a graphical user interface for smartctl (from smartmontools package),...

gsmartcontrol.shaduri.dev

Also Dell, HP, and Lenovo typically test Long DST (Drive Self Test)

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