Can't install on 3TB HDD

[reddog69x]

When attempting to install Windows 7 x64 I get the error "Windows cannot install to this partition because this is the GPT partition style."

I was told in order to have a > 2TB drive as a bootable drive it MUST be formatted with GPT (which I did via DiskPart). I was able to install windows and extend the drive to 2TB post-installation, but in the MBR format. I attempted it with a GPT format and the drive is usable as data, and windows 7 installation recognizes it as a partition in setup, but gives the above error.

My ideal end-game would be to have Windows 7 installed with these 2 disks running in RAID 1, but unfortunately at this point I'll settle for having 2x 3TB drives with Windows 7 running on one of them....

Thanks!

An image of Disk Management:

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure you don't need a BIOS update to handle drives that large.

If not then the way you're doing it with MBR-disk and smaller Install partition sounds best to me.

 

[cyclic]

I don't see why GPT won't work, after all having a UEFI BIOS GPT is actually prefered in your case.
There is a BIOS update posted mid Feb this year, nothing to do with disk sizes though.

Have you tried making a 100G primary for the OS and the rest as one drive for now ?
Really the only time I have seen GPT failing so spectacularly was due to a hidden partition on the drive. GPT must be the first partition of any sort.

I think there's more to this !

 

[gregrocker]

If you have an EFI BIOS then there are special steps needed for install: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

Is there a listing in BIOS Boot Order for EFI Boot disk?

 

[reddog69x]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Here's my Mobo/HDDs:
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive x2

I'm running BIOS version 0301, and that is from 9/2011. The new update doesn't seem to contain anything for large disks.

Is there a listing in BIOS Boot Order for EFI Boot disk?

No there is only the DVD drive and the bootable disk I currently have Windows installed to. I tried using a bootable flash drive from Seagate, and it showed as a bootable UEFI in BIOS, but wouldn't boot (went straight to Windows). I even tried connecting only the unused 3TB drive and booting from the flash drive and just get the wonderful blinking cursor at the top left.

And yes it seems to be a catch 22 as I don't use GPT and can only use 2TB yet can't install on a 3TB GPT.

 

[gregrocker]

Try writing the Win7 installer to flash stick using Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - same as for retail.

 

[reddog69x]

Thanks gregrocker.

I tried booting from the USB w/ the program previously and it wouldn't recognize my .iso I made via PowerISO of my Windows 7 64bit. I'm downloading the .iso from the website now hoping it will recognize it. I also tried booting with the .iso and with simply a direct copy to the USB and it ignores/doesn't recognize the USB (although it still shows up as a UEFI bootable device and I move it to first boot priority).

Will update when I try the .iso from the website.

 

[gregrocker]

You'd want UltraISO trial version and not PowerISO to write to flash stick: On File tab open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB, Removable or HD's.

But if you're downloading the official ISO from Digital Life then it should write using Win7 Download tool.

 

[reddog69x]

I used the .iso from Digital River, and the USB DVD Tool. When I rebooted it recognized the flash drive as a UEFI bootable device in the BIOS, and I set it to primary. Saved & Reset and it ran POST and then went past BIOS screen and my monitor said "Out Of Range" for about 10 seconds then proceeded to normal Windows boot. I'm wondering if whatever the flash-as-installer is is a refresh rate my monitor can't handle? I have the following video card and monitor:

XFX FX797ATNBC Radeon HD 7970 Video Card - 3072MB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 3.0 (x16), 1x Dual-Link DVI-I, 2x Mini DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, DirectX 11, Dual-Slot, Eyefinity, CrossFireX Ready at TigerDirect.com

Amazon.com: ASUS VE276Q 27-Inch Wide (16:9) 2ms Response Time Display Port LCD Monitor - Black: Computers & Accessories

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried the install steps given here: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

 

[reddog69x]

Yes! Although I found out how to override the boot override? LOL As you can see here there is no option to force boot the flash drive (the ADATA). HOWEVER! I was able to go into the Hard Drive BBS Priorities and force it there. And Windows setup started...

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

Then I get the same error...

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[AddRAM]

I have used PowerIso to put the iso on the stick , it works perfectly.
The usb stick should be listed first in boot disk priority, ( not Sequence ) then changed back to the hard drive after the 1st boot.

 

[gregrocker]

Can you give the steps so it helps others?

 

[reddog69x]

Steps to make this USB flash bootable:

1)Download http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html?filter[2]=General%20Tips

2)Downloaded Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

3)Ran the Windows USB/DVD tool and used the .iso from #2 which formatted and installed everything I needed on the USB flash

4)Rebooted and went into BIOS and set the "UEFI ADATA" (USB flash w/ above boot install) as the first boot

This brought me to Windows setup, but again as I stated above I'm back to the original error.

Again the 3TB disk is formatted and partitioned with GPT via Diskpart. Then I boot from my UEFI enabled Motherboard with the flash drive and get the original error.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

 

[gregrocker]

Is there any other listing in BIOS Boot order for the flash stick. Have you tried non-EFI boot to install to an MBR disk?

 

[reddog69x]

Yes I can install and run with an MBR partition but I cannot use 1TB of the 3TB (Also had to manually extend the partition to go from 746GB to 2TB on MBR).

 

[gregrocker]

Have you consulted your mobo Manual on the Support Downloads webpage for the exact model?

 

[reddog69x]

Yes it states the 2 Intel Z68 SATA 6.0gb/s are for Intel RST (RAID and where the Hard Drives are currently connected) and 2x Marvell SATA 6.0gb/s are standard along with 2x SATA 3.0gb/s (where the DVD drive is connected).

As far as the UEFI it states explicitly that it "...natively supports hard drives larger than 2.2TB in 64-bit, with full storage space utilization helping deliver far more exciting computing than traditional BIOS versions."

 

[gregrocker]

Is the mobo still under warranty? I would ask their Tech Support via Chat, e-mail or Phone directly.

 

[reddog69x]

Yeah I'm beginning to wonder if the Intel Z68 SATA ports or something related have an issue. Not being able to use this feature AND this morning not even recognizing the Hard Drive seem culprit. I had to move the Hard Drive to the Marvel SATA port and it fired right up. Will call them and update!