Re: Test Proposal for [bug #46716] Protective MBR partition is not marked as bootable

[Thomas Schmitt]

Hi,

Alexander E. Patrakov wrote:

> I propose --dummy-bootable-mbr-partition.

That would probably be a new record in the field of option length.

Any shorter proposals ?


> I think it can be made
> non-overlapping if we waste a few sectors, but need to test.

Awaiting your results and Andrei's opinion.


> Then, we'll need to define semantics for the case when another partition
> would be already bootable in the MBR.

The whole trick is intended to accompany an EFI Protective MBR.
A layout with real MBR partitions and boot flag would need new
tests and possibly bring new surprises.
So i would only apply the new feature if in the end there is a GPT
and a single MBR partition of type 0xee.

> Warn?

That would be appropriate.

I am right now putting the inverse safety cap on the 0xee problem.
If in the end there is no GPT, then any 0xee partition becomes 0xcd.
The user gets to see
  xorriso : WARNING : Prevented partition type 0xEE in MBR without GPT

That occasion would be the right place to evaluate whether the
0x00 partition is applicable. If not applicable, i'd warn.

A more qualified attempt to keep HFS+ from bonking against this
barreer is on its way, too. More testing is needed.
The risk of regression is substantial.


Have a nice day :)

Thomas