Installation Problem ("System could not create a partition...")

In the last couple days I've been trying to install Windows 7 over Windows XP (clean installation).

Unfortunately I'm having a problem pretty early on in the process. Whenever I try to press "Next" on the screen that has you select which partition you want to install it on, it says for me:

"Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log files for more Information"


I've tried deleting all of them, making a new one a certain size etc. with no luck. I even tried to load the C: drive but it said it wasn't able to reformat it for whatever reason (message I get is "Windows can't format C. Check to see that the disk and drive are formatted properly. Make sure that the disk is not read only, then try again.") I've tried logging into Windows in Safe Mode to change the security options for this problem but I don't see any preference about read-only properties.

I have also tried going through the steps in the stickied thread about this problem (using diskpart to mark a partition as active) and it hasn't worked.

(I am trying to wipe my computer completely clean and install Windows7, not along side XP or anything like that).

Anything you could suggest would be great, thanks in advance.

Did you run the WIn7 upgrade advisor to find if your hardware can run Win7? http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...e-advisor.aspx

If you still have XP on the HD, update the BIOS to latest version from maker's Support Download's webpage for your computer or mobo model .

Boot the Windows 7 installer, press Shift F10 at bootup, opening a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

Now boot back into installer to Custom install to partition you created.

If there are further problems, please reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Also in BIOS setup, check the SATA controller setting: Try AHCI first, then IDE if neccessary.

If these all fail, post back your System Specs at link in bottom left corner of your post.

Boot the Windows 7 installer, press Shift F10 at bootup, opening a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

Now boot back into installer to Custom install to partition you created.

This worked like a charm. It installed without any problems (on it now!). Thanks so much!

gregrocker said:

Did you run the WIn7 upgrade advisor to find if your hardware can run Win7? Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

If you still have XP on the HD, update the BIOS to latest version from maker's Support Download's webpage for your computer or mobo model .

Boot the Windows 7 installer, press Shift F10 at bootup, opening a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

Now boot back into installer to Custom install to partition you created.

If there are further problems, please reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Also in BIOS setup, check the SATA controller setting: Try AHCI first, then IDE if neccessary.

If these all fail, post back your System Specs at link in bottom left corner of your post.

Asus striker 2 formula
Intel Q9550 2.83 quad
8Gb G.Skill 2gb X 4 DDR2 ( I took out 3 sticks so 2gb ram for install)
Brand new Seagate barracuda 500 gb hdd 16MB 7200 rpm
GTX 570 twin frozr 3


Hangs up at expanding windows files still after I did this.
Please get back to me if you have any ideas. :)

Where did you get Win7? Did you burn the disk or write it to flash stick yourself?

I bought it like yesterday. Its on a disk

I tried to boot it both on a USB and CD both didn't work. They hung at expanding windows files. I bought a new HD to see if that was the issue....installed it ..same problem...I was blue screening with winxp for some reason I'm not aware of. So I bought win7



With the new hdd installed I'm going to install winxp then win 7 over it..maybe that'll do it?

Did you run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from XP?

Is there a newer BIOS update? If so install it from XP. If not reset BIOS to defaults in BIOS setup. Set SATA controller to AHCI, DVD drive to boot first, then HDD.

Next try wiping HD with Diskpart Clean Command.

If that fails test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+.

Clean install. So no upgrade advisor. I checked for latest bios before, I'm fully up to date. Already cleaned/formatted it in cmd in win 7 install. I'll try the memtest but I'm on a phone.right now hah.

Winxp installs fine even on my other hdd. But on old hdd it was blue screening so I'm tying.it out on the new one.

If you get XP installed see if Win7 will install from XP desktop to overwrite C.

Otherwise try creating and formatting a Primary NTFS partition marked Active using Step 2.2 in SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation.

I'd also try writing the latest official ISO for your version to flash stick from Step 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to boot it under USB, Removable or HD's.