[sf-lug] invalid partition table

[Michael Paoli]

Well, seems functional, even if it's complaining.

MBR, or GPT?

If it's GPT, it's got primary and backup partition table - sometimes
the backup doesn't get updated, and some things will complain about
that.  If that's the case easy to fix - many utilities can easily do
that, e.g. use fdisk, w to write it out, and you're done.
What exactly is the full text of the diagnostic?  That may well make
clear what the issue is.
Also, some partitioning programs/utilities and the like may also well
spell it out.

What do you have for, e.g.:
# sfdisk -uS -d /dev/your_partitioned_device_that_you_boot_from

Anyway, missing or corrupted GPT backup partition table is easy to fix.
Here's example where I intentionally corrupted (wiped) it, then fixed
it, base on the primary:
# sfdisk -uS -d /dev/loop1
The backup GPT table is corrupt, but the primary appears OK, so that
will be used.
label: gpt
label-id: 6D6AE984-EAE4-43F9-8735-20EFA245DB32
device: /dev/loop1
unit: sectors
first-lba: 2048
last-lba: 524254
sector-size: 512

/dev/loop1p1 : start=        2048, size=      131072,
type=0FC63DAF-8483-4772-8E79-3D69D8477DE4,
uuid=A5013F6B-B74D-49E0-A0F6-6F6B115F376B
# sfdisk --relocate gpt-bak-std /dev/loop1
The backup GPT table is corrupt, but the primary appears OK, so that
will be used.

The partition table has been altered.
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Re-reading the partition table failed.: Invalid argument
The kernel still uses the old table. The new table will be used at the
next reboot or after you run partprobe(8) or partx(8).
Syncing disks.
# sfdisk -uS -d /dev/loop1
label: gpt
label-id: 6D6AE984-EAE4-43F9-8735-20EFA245DB32
device: /dev/loop1
unit: sectors
first-lba: 2048
last-lba: 524254
sector-size: 512

/dev/loop1p1 : start=        2048, size=      131072,
type=0FC63DAF-8483-4772-8E79-3D69D8477DE4,
uuid=A5013F6B-B74D-49E0-A0F6-6F6B115F376B
#

On Sun, Jul 19, 2026 at 9:23 PM John Strazzarino <jstrazzarino at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> im running zorin 16 core on my dell e6430 laptop and all is fine.  I noticed that 18.1 is available so I downloaded it with rufus to a usb stick.  Booted the dell with the usb stick and did a full install, taking the entire disk.  Install was fine, but upon several reboots it says invalid partition table.  I hit enter and everything loads fine and works well.
>
> Anyidea what’s up?
>
> John
>
> Sent from my iPad
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