[SOLVED] Dell XPS8300 boot compatible hdd

[millertime473]

Hello,

I have a Dell XPS 8300 with dual 1tb 512n [512/512 mbr] drives in RAID.
One drive is failing and I'd like to replace the array with one 1tb or 2tb drive.
The bios is non-uefi.

New drives are 512e [512/4096 gpt] and I read that legacy bios won't boot from 512e.

Must I find a 512native mbr drive or can I buy a 512e drive, convert it to mbr if necessary, and use it to boot into Win 7?

I already bought a new Win10 XPS but need to keep the Win7 running until I'm able to get it fully functional for work.

Thanks for reading.

System Details:
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
XPS 8300 x64 Intel i7-2600
Motherboard Dell Inc. Model 0Y2MRG (CPU 1) Version A00
Chipset Intel Model Sandy Bridge Revision 09
Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
Southbridge Intel Model H67 Revision B3
BIOS Dell Inc. Version A06 10/17/2011 [non-uefi]

 

[millertime473]

A Dell forum member provided the answer.
Yes, the 8300 can boot from 512e ... but updated drivers and firmware are needed.