Need expert help! Setup cant find/create partition

Hello,

I'm new to these forums and pretty desparate to find a solution to my problem.

I get an error when trying to install Windows 7. At the hard disk selection screen where you select a disc to install on, and I select a disk I get the following error:

Setup couldn't create a new system partition or couldn't find an existing partition.

I got it yesterday when trying to install win7 32 bit next to my running 64 bit
I get it on any disc, whether its formatted (as primary), unformatted or even when its a completely new HDD.


I have one HDD that is partitioned into to 250gb primary partitions. On one Im already succesfully running win 7, so installing WAS possible on my machine.

I wanted to use the second (also primary) partition to use for the other install.

I've tried the 'general' solutions:

-Changed BIOS settings for the SATA ports to IDE (Will it install when its on AHCI?)
-Tried to disable and enable LEGACY support
-Setting the drive you want to install on as first boot priority, use boot selection menu after POST to select DVD drive for installation.

-removed USB drive that was in my PC
-Tried using a Vista install DVD, came up with a similar error
-Tried removing SATA cables from the HDDS and used a new 80 GB EMPTY HDD.
Partitioned it with win7 setup, same error.

-Tried swapping Sata ports. DVD player is in SATA 3, HDDS in 4 and 5.


Maybe I need some third party drivers of some sort, but I cant think of what. Especially since I've installed sucessfully before.


This really points me toward the bios settings. I cant figure out what I'm overlooking. I am completely out of thoughts and this is really the one million dollar question:

WHY IS WINDOWS REFUSING TO INSTALL AND HOW DO I FIX IT.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

I've read your sticky, and it's indeed very helpful. However, I tried your solution aswell and it wont work for me.

If you check my list of things I tried, you'll notice that I've tried almost anything that is suggested in forums.

What I have NOT tried yet, is to connect the HDD to SATA port 6/7 or 8/9

On the x58 classified board these ports are black and have a different onboard controller (Jmicron). But I remember people suggestion to leave those ports untouched

Yes, I can see the discs in the setup, I can also select a partition and format it in setup.

Also, I have cleared my CMOS and tried factory defaults, no luck.


The disc is not corrupt, because:
a) has been used same day to install on another pc
b) I have tried a Vista install dvd that came up with a similar error at the same point: refused to install too.

I have an idea maybe: Can I start a new windows install from windows?

I mean, when booted into my existing 64 bit windows, can I start up a new installation in windows and start a 32 bit install?

Jonathan_King said:

Make sure you have a Primary partition, and mark it as active. See the instruction for that in the link I posted.

Tried that, also tried using a new HDD that was blank and partitioned it with the win7 setup as a primary NTFS partition. No go. I will try to do it with the link you have posted