crash when using disk management to initialize and format new SSD

[camner]

I have a new Dell XPS 8700, and I'm trying to install an SSD. The physical hookup is easy.

Using Disk Management:
1. I see it as an unallocated volume on Disk 1
2. I start the New Simple Volume Wizard
3. I allow Win 7 to suggest drive I
4. I choose format as NTFS and choose quick format
5. Upon clicking "Next" I get a spinning cursor for a 20-30 seconds and then a crash

After a reboot, the volume letter is assigned, but Win 7 prompts to format the drive again, and rinse, repeat. I've tried this a number of times.

Sometimes instead of a full crash I get the message "The operation failed to complete because the Disk Management console was not up to date."

I have tried to delete the SSD in Device Manager and then rescan for new hardware, and the SSD is found again. I have also tried using a different SATA port and reseating the data cable, both to no avail.

Any suggestions for additional troubleshooting would be appreciated.

 

[AddRAM]

Try Diskpart instead, using Command Prompt.

Option #2

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

 

[camner]

Try Diskpart instead, using Command Prompt.

Option #2

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

Thanks. I tried this, but without success. I was able to get through the process of creating the primary partition and the volume was created as "RAW." (I did have to use the Clean command first.)

However, at the "format fs=ntfs quick" I got an immediate crash and spontaneous reboot. (I tried the steps again without the "quick" parameter and got the same result.)

To check the possibility of a hardware problem, I used an old HDD I had around with the same power and SATA cable and was able to format using Disk Manager without a problem, suggesting that the cable is not the culprit. I also stuck the SSD in my MacPro and was able to partition and format the SSD there, which suggests (but doesn't prove) that the SSD is not at fault.

Other thoughts?

[FWIW, I've tried running "sfc /scannow" from an elevated command prompt and I get errors. The first time I run it I get errors that sfc claims have been repaired. I run it again and I get errors that sfc says cannot be repaired. I run it a third time and I'm back to getting errors that are reported as successfully repaired. I run it a fourth time and again, errors that cannot be repaired. Running sfc repeatedly results in this A/B cycle of alternating "were successfully repaired" and "cannot be repaired" results.

I'm attaching the sfsdetails file from one of the runs when sfc reports that it was unable to repair the files.

Because this is a Dell machine with Win 7 Pro preinstalled, I don't have a Win 7 install disk even if I knew which files might be corrupt.]

 

[gregrocker]

It shows in the the SFC /SCANNOW Command
tutorial how to try to repair or replace files it flags as irreparable.

It may also repair them if run 3 times.

If not then the next step is a Repair Install.

But first I'd read over Clean Reinstall Windows 7 to compare the install you have with the perfect install compiled there, that has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint or return with problems as long as they stick with the tools and methods given. It won't take much longer to do this and you need the installation media for the Repair Install anyway.

 

[camner]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have in the past done a clean install of Win7 with the instructions referred to here and it worked perfectly.

I think what frustrates me is that it seems to me that a completely new out of the box machine shouldn't require heavy troubleshooting. But that's an issue between me and Dell and doesn't directly have anything to do with Win 7. Grrr.....

 

[gregrocker]

Factory preinstalled OS often ships with corrupted System files due to larding on all of the bloatware and useless duplicate utilities that interfere with better versions built into Win7.

These can to some extent be re mediated with Clean Up Factory Bloatware, however you will never experience native Win7 perfect performance until the disk is wiped to do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

Fortunately Dell is one of the first to provide clean Re-installation DVD's with only the OS and activation plus a logo. So they don't have a culture of fighting against those wanting to go completely clean like other maker's who would once refuse to support these reinstalls but don't dare any longer, due to our popularizing it here with over a million completed without a single complaint.

 

[camner]

Interesting. So, are you saying that I should be able to just ask for a reinstall DVD from Dell?

Will that facilitate an (easy?) install of Win7 directly or will I need to go through the "clean install" process talked about here (the one I did a year ago based on the tutorial/info here)?

And perhaps more to the point, since I can't get the SSD initialized properly from my current windows install on the new Dell, will I have to first reinstall Win7 on the HDD and then initialize/format the SSD and then clean install there?

Alternatively, could I put the new SSD in my other PC (the one I'm replacing) and initialize/format there and then put it in the new Dell without having to do anything in the new machine?

 

[DavidE]

Get the free Minitool Partition Wizard bootable CD and try that.
MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable 9

You can still order Dell discs, but that would take longer than downloading this and creating a bootable disc.

 

[gregrocker]

The media is the same as that provided in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 except for baked-in Activation and a logo on the System page. So there's no reason to order media from Dell if they still even provide it since they're now on the Windows 8 sidetrack.

Have you unplugged the old drive to try do the reinstall from the booted media? This will cut out any corruption in the OS that may be interfering. It's always best to install with only one drive plugged in anyway, to avoid the boot manager being placed on the old OS drive which makes it dependent upon it to boot.

After install plug in the old OS drive to wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command to get it cleanest, repartition in Disk Mgmt as a storage drive.

If problems persist I'd contact the SSD's support to have them help you test it with an eye to RMA. We see plenty of bad SSD's.

 

[camner]

The instructions for the clean install of Win 7 went perfectly, and unplugging the old drive did the trick. Thank you.

HOWEVER, the clean install failed for a reason unrelated to the instructions here...apparently with the new method of "embedding" the Win 7 product activation key in the motherboard, the old method of using Belarc to extract the key does not work. More accurately, it extracts a key but that key is considered invalid by Microsoft. Microsoft phone activation referred me to Dell to ask for a new key, and Dell said "the only way to do that is by giving you a new motherboard." However, they WILL send me media that is "prekeyed" ( the tech's language) to the existing mobo...and he also claimed that this media allows a complete clean install and does not install the preinstalled bloatware. We'll see.

Grrr...

 

[DavidE]

Do you have a readable COA sticker on the PC ?
If you do, did you use the key on that sticker to try and activate Windows ?

EDIT:
Greg beat me to it with a more detailed explanation.

 

[gregrocker]

Unless you'd already done a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 on that PC then the key found by a keyfinder like Belarc cannot be used for reinstall because it is a mass activation key used at the factory. You'd need the key on the COA sticker, which Dell must provide for Windows 7 in order to legally pre-install it on their hardware.

I already explained in posts 6 and 9 that Dell provides a clean Reinstallation DVD with only activation and a logo included which could be ordered if for some reason the COA sticker was missing. But the first question to Dell should be why the COA sticker is missing since they are required under the EULA with MS to provide it.

Only Windows 8 has BIOS-based activation, never Windows 7.

I would call back Dell and ask them why there is no COA sticker as they are required to provide, that we are waiting to hear their answer so we can forward it to Microsoft if necessary.

 

[camner]

I must admit that when I read the text of the post (#12) in the email notification I thought "Wow...did I really completely miss reading earlier about the problem with Belarc only reporting the OEM key that doesn't work for Win 7 activation" and then saw your post #13...

I did not ask Dell about the missing COA because I didn't know to...perhaps I was naive in accepting the tech's word that with the new BIOS based key (which he did not mention only applied to Win 8).

However, I will do so. If I'm supposed to have a COA then I'd like to have it.

At this point, I suspect the fastest way to get up and running will be for me to wait for the Dell Reinstallation DVD and reinstall Win7 again, though if I can persuade them to give me a COA I'd be happy to go that route.

Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[gregrocker]

Is there any chance this was a Windows 8 machine on which they pre-installed Windows 7 for you by special order, since it is eligible for free Upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7 on Professional version only?

That's the only way I can think of that Dell would represent that the OS is normally activated via BIOS, because it is normally shipped with Windows 8 which activates that way, and one must consult with OEM Tech Support to Upgrade to the alternative Windows 7 Pro.

If so then the Windows 7 key is to be provided by Dell.

I would still ask them to clarify. You want the Win7 Product Key but could settle for the Reinstallation DVD which includes auto-activation. Then after the Clean Reinstall Windows 7
save a backup image so you never need to reinstall again, just reimage C from the boot disk and stored image.

 

[camner]

This was not a special order. I was looking for a replacement Dell for my wife's aging machine, and because she's stuck with Win 7 at work wants to have a Win 7 machine at home. I looked at the Dell site and found XPS 8700 machines that said they came preinstalled with Win 8 and other identical machines (in terms of hardware configuration) that said they came preinstalled with Win 7 Pro. I simply clicked on the link for the Win 7 machine and purchased it. The fine print said that their would be a Win 8.1 recovery disk in the box, which there was, that could be used to upgrade to Win 8 later. There is a Pro Windows 8 sticker on the back of the Dell.

So, putting this all together I suspect that although there was no indication on the Dell site that there was anything particularly unusual about this machine you are probably right that this is Win 8 machine that was downgraded to Win 7 Pro through whatever mechanism Dell and Microsoft have arranged to do this. It never occurred to me to ask whether I'd get a COA because in the past with other Windows boxes I have purchased that was just part of the deal.

I will, indeed, make a backup image after the (hopefully successful) reinstall.

Thanks again.

 

[gregrocker]

OK, Keep us posted as you go.

 

[camner]

Update: I received the Dell reinstall disk and was able to do a clean install of Win7 without a problem and with the OS preactivated, it seems.

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread...it pointed me in the right direction.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad to hear it.

Once you get it set up like you want be sure to save a backup image externally so that if it ever becomes irreparable you can reimage the HD in 20 minutes using the Win7 disk: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup