Solved Cannot create system partition.

[davidmn]

I'm trying to install W7 on a new machine but when selecting the install location I get the error "cannot create system partition". In the past I've managed to get past this but without the system partition I cannot install SP1.

What do I do? What are the specs of a System Partition so I can just make one in Linux because W7 is clearly incapable of doing anything itself.

 

[Maguscreed]

are you trying to boot from the sp1 update disc?
You run the disc from inside of windows.

 

[davidmn]

No no no. I currently don't have W7 installed. I did have it installed but without a system partition meaning I couldn't apply the update. I am trying to do a fresh install this time with a system partition so I can apply SP1 once it's up and running.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello davidmn, welcome to Seven Forums!


Perhaps you would have better success if you do a complete wipe secure erase of the entire Hard Disk Drive first and then start the clean install process from there, have a look at Step Two #3 of the Optimize tutorial below to see how to create a "System" System Reserved partition and the reasons for its use and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

​

 

[gregrocker]

Did you not have a System partition because you were using GRUB boot loader to boot Win7?

If so, wipe the HD as specified and reinstall Win7 without the GRUB corruption. If you need to install Linux distro I would put it on another HD booted via BIOS Boot menu to avoid corrupting Win7.

If it wasn't because of GRUB then please explain more fully how you were without a System (contains boot files) partition and how this interfered with SP1 install.

 

[davidmn]

I don't have GRUB on this drive.

I think Barefoot Kid's post contains the solution. I'll have a go once I come back from Ikea.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Be sure to post back here with an update.

 

[davidmn]

No joy!

I have created a partition on the drive I want to install it to called System Reserved, it's 200MB. Then I created a 100GB partition called Windows 7 to install the OS to.

When try to install to the Windows 7 partition I get the same message:

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

Where are these log files?

 

[theog]

Can you post a screen shot?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

Screenshot tools.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
Snipping Tool - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/51160-screenshot-upload-using-mwsnap.html
fscapture free download

Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots

 

[whs]

There is no need for the 100MB (or 200MB) partition. Just define your 100GB partition. But you have to make it "active" - else the MBR will not find it.

When you have a predefines partition where you install, the bootmgr will be set into that partition.

Two ways to do that. Either with Partition Wizard bootable CD (last entry on webpage). Or you define the partition with Command Prompt on your installation CD. The commands are:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number of the disk where you want to define)
Create partition primary size=100000
Active
Exit

Note: the size must always be given in MBs - thus the 100000

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get Win7? Did you burn the DVD yourself? If so, try burning another using ImgBurn at 4x speed, after verifying the ISO integrity.

You can also write the ISO to flash stick by installing UltraISO trial version, on File tab Open ISO or DVD, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's.

Have you wiped the HD using Diskpart "Clean " command given by BFK earlier? Then try creating your partition with installer.

Try resetting the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS
While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI to try install.

 

[davidmn]

Here we go, a "screenshot".


I did use the clean all command in cmd.

 

[theog]

What do have install on Disk 0?

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug the separate HD Disk0, move it's cable to the Win7 target HD so it becomes Win7 install target HD.

Make sure it is still set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, after DVD drive.

Later after install plug back in other HD, boot it using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key at avoid having to use GRUB on Win7.

 

[davidmn]

Disk 0 is my SSD with Fedora on it. Formatted as Ext4.

Also I bought a serial of tinternet and I burned my own disk. I'll burn a different one now and see if that works.

 

[theog]

Unplug the separate HD Disk0, move it's cable to the Win7 target HD so it becomes Win7 install target HD.

Make sure it is still set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, after DVD drive.

Later after install plug back in other HD, boot it using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key at avoid having to use GRUB on Win7.

Go with Greg's advice.

 

[davidmn]

Ok I've unplugged all drives apart from the target one. I'm also using a new disk.

 

[davidmn]

Woo! I've got it installing. However changing two variables means I can't tell what did it but woo none the less. Thanks for your help guys. I'll let you know how installing SP1 goes.

 

[theog]

Make sure you keep Windows 7 & Linux apart.

 

[davidmn]

Yeah. I had them on the same physical drive once. You have to install Windows first because it's bootloader will overwrite GRUB which is a pain. So once this has installed I'll go into GRUB on linux and add an entry for windows so I can continue to boot from the SSD goodness.