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alphanumeric said:

Your partitions are backwards. The data partition should after the system partition not before it. It looks like that's preventing Windows from creating the partitions it wants where it wants.
Usually there is a small 350 MB or so System Reserved partition ( may also be called recovery), then the Windows partition, then the EFI partition, then the data partition. I would copy all you files to external media and then redo all the partitions on the drive during the install process.

I'm missing something. Why do I need windows to create more partitions? I'm fine with a single partition on this. Is this related to the problems I mentioned above (grayed out options, etc.)?

Ztruker said:

That's not a data partition, it's a 500MB System partition where the boot files are located (System, Active).

Yeah, that's what I thought. Does Dell typically ship only diagnostics on this partition, or is there a way to boot to it and turn *off* the diagnostic that automatically runs?

I suspect that this partition was also set up by the IT department. I may have to plead for the dvd if I don't understand the tutorial posted a few messages above.

alphanumeric said:

tgm1024 said:

Ztruker said:

Post a snapshot of a fullscreen Disk Management Window:

To open Disk Management, press Windows key+r, type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter or click GO. Make it full screen. Expand the fields as necessary so everything can be seen.

Vista and Windows 7: How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums (says it's for Vista but also works with Win 7/8).

Once you have the image saved, click the Go Advanced button then click on the Paperclip Icon next to the Smiley Icon. In the Manage Attachments window, click Browse and navigate to where you saved the image and select it.
Click the Upload button.
Close the Manage Attachments window.
Click on the Paperclip Icon again and select the image you uploaded. It will be placed in your post.

When I boot to it via F12, a diagnostic runs. {shrug} What can you tell from disk management?

Your partitions are backwards. The data partition should after the system partition not before it. It looks like that's preventing Windows from creating the partitions it wants where it wants.
Usually there is a small 350 MB or so System Reserved partition ( may also be called recovery), then the Windows partition, then the EFI partition, then the data partition. I would copy all you files to external media and then redo all the partitions on the drive during the install process.

There's nothing wrong with that setup, it is a system reserved partition, somewhat larger than normal but no big deal.

It's also not a UEFI install.

alphanumeric said:

Missed the MB some how and was thinking it was 400 GB.

Happens to all of us, no big deal.