Unable to create new system partition to install Win 7 64bit

Hi Guys,

I've been playing around with installing windows 7 64bit now for about 7hrs and getting nowhere.

I got a new Lenovo Y50 with windows 8.1 and hate the OS so I got a copy of win 7 pro to install instead.

There is no optical drive so I'm using a usb drive created with rufus and the windows 7 pro iso file.

Initially I had the missing drivers error for a few hours but tried a new installer iso and then rufus and it worked fine.

Then I got the selecting drives and removed all the old win 8 partitions until I had just one unallocated block of space which I created into the primary partition. But it won't let me install onto it...

Now I can't get the damn installer to recognize the drive or create a new partition.

I've used the diskpart method at least 100 times cleaned, recreated primary partition, assigned it, made it active, everything from all the tutorials...and then also tried GParted recently which is much easier. Each time both methods seem to work fine, and when I get to the installer I can see the partitions but as soon as I click next to install to that partition i get the error "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log file for more information."

I have secure boot disabled in bios, I have the legacy support enabled and usb boot enabled. The usb drive is #1 on the boot order and the SSD is next.

What else can I do at this point!!! I'm going crazy here! I have a brand new computer that's essentially a paperweight...cause I can't get this damn win 7 loaded.

Thanks for any help or advice.

AddRAM said:

Make sure secure boot is disabled in the bios.

Your hard drive may be configured as GPT, convert it to MBR.

Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk

Option 2 step 2

Thanks, I've checked the secure boot it's disabled since I've got Legacy Support Enabled and not UEFI for Boot Mode.

And I've converted the drive to MBR multiple times and each time it says it's successful but I get the same response.

When checking out the disk details it still says Boot Disk: No ?? Does that have something to do with it?

How about your choices to Reset BIOS to Defaults? Is there another to Reset to Other OS defaults? Anything similar?

Go ahead an Reset to Defaults and observe where CSM, Legacy and Secure Boot are then. Disable Secure Boot but leave the other and see if you can boot your Rufus-created installation stick as a UEFI device, again deleting all partitions. Sometimes EFI actually works better since that's the way things are going. I am using it now on my Lenovo laptop. I also had to Reset to Other OS defaults to install Win7.

If this fails then work through these steps without missing any for Overcoming Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums. I realize you've tried most of them, but the lot resolve 90% of failures. Every failure will eventually be resolved.

If this fails lets have a closer look at your BIOS settings choices for CSM, Legacy BIOS, Secure Boot, Reset to Defaults and BIOS Boot Priority. Pictures would help: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Have you read your Manual on the PC's SUpport Downloads webpage? Is there a newer BIOS UEFI firmware update?

Okay! Forget everything about diskpart, BIOS, etc.
I have been in this situation for two days. I still cant believe what was the solution.

GET AN OPTICAL DRIVE and a DVD with the setup.

I tried yesterday everything to install clean system to a samsung SSD drive. Booting from USB stick, which was created with WINDOWS USB DOWNLOAD TOOL.. or what its called..

Every time when I get to choose which partition to install, I got the message "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition"

Finally I gave up all hope.. and just as last resort get out the optical drive from my other machine.
Everything worked instantly!

So give it a try! Hope it helps you too!

Was the flash stick burned according to Option One in UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows if this is an EFI system?