Couldn't find Boot disk error while Installing Windows 7 using USB

[ksr04]

I am getting problem while installing windows 7 on my single partition hard disk. I am using bootable USB drive for the installation. The error I get is "Setup was unable to create new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log files for more information". When I opened the setup log file(setuperr.log), it shows the error "Couldn't find boot disk on the BIOS based computer". Have anyone got this error before. Please help!!

More Info:
Boot Sequence: USB, Harddisk
System: Dell Inspiron 1545

 

[Maguscreed]

That's an interesting message because it seems to be specifically saying it doesn't see your hdd.
The only thing I can immediately think of that may be standing in your way (assuming the usb was setup properly)
Is that the hdd is not properly prepared to receive a fresh windows installation.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello ksr04, welcome to Seven Forums!


As a start and to rule out format errors up front, boot the Windows 7 installation media to diskpart and run the clean command, once the clean finishes, exit diskpart and use the Windows 7 installer to create and format a single 100GB partition to do the install to, see if the installer sees the HDD now.

Be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

   Information

It may be a help to over-write the HDD Master Boot Record (MBR) before you start any other procedure using the diskpart clean command, rather than the clean all; it takes just seconds to complete so you will have "unallocated" space to use either the Windows installer to create and format the partition(s) or use diskpart to create them, however you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup
​

 

[ksr04]

Hi Maguscreed and Bare Foot Kid,
Thanks for the information.

That's something different that I haven't yet tried. I will try that and will post the result.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If it does not, after another clean, use diskpart to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to see if that works, use Step #2 in the SSD/HDD tutorial for reference.

 

[gregrocker]

Wiping the HD is only one minor step in dozens we have to troubleshoot install failures.

This error often means the ISO or installer is bad. First rewrite the ISO to flash stick using this tool which is much easier and more reliable: Universal USB Installer

If that doesn't help, reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS. While in BIOS setup make sure the HD is detected. Set SATA controller to AHCI to try install, then IDE if that fails.

Next test the HD using maker's extended booted CD scan: HD Diagnostic. After test clears HD, you can use this CD to "Clean" the HD against possible boot sector corruption.

Remove any more than 2gb RAM to try install, swap RAM sticks, test RAM: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Report back results on each step along with verbatim error message received.

When I run out of time to troubleshoot installs, I move the HD to another machine to install with all other HD's unplugged, then immediately SysPrep the install to remove all drivers before moving it back to problem machine where it should start like a new install: SysPrep to move HD to another computer

 

[ksr04]

I tried the steps mentioned in SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation tutorial with both clean and clean all command. Didn't have any luck there.... getting exactly the same issue.

I will give a try to steps gregrocker has mentioned. and will post the results.

 

[ksr04]

I reset the BIOS. Still the same issue. Upgraded the bios in Dell laptop from A10 to A14 and tried. No luck.

This is what the setupact.log file shows:

2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Summary - CCP check passed; able to calculate space reqs; able to find install location; location type meets installation reqs; size of location is not too small; location free space is enough; location free space meets the recommendation
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:-----------------------------------------------------------
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info       [0x0a0035] UI     Allowing Page 'Install Type' to be shown
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info       [0x0a0035] UI     Allowing Page 'Install Type' to be shown
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:====== Does disk [0] offset [0x100000] meet installation reqs? ======
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info       [0x0601ba] IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Windows image size (from metadata) = [4966505746] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info       [0x0601bb] IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Windows image size (after padding) = [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Windows image contents: [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: ~BT volume (estimate): [0] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Install volume (estimate): [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: ~LS volume (estimate w/o padding): [0] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    CalculatingRecommendedSpaceForWindows: RequiredSize  [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    CalculatingRecommendedSpaceForWindows: Recommending  [13105940064] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Install volume -- required    free space = [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Install volume -- recommended free space = [13105940064] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Summary - CCP check passed; able to calculate space reqs; able to find install location; location type meets installation reqs; size of location is not too small; location free space is enough; location free space meets the recommendation
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:-----------------------------------------------------------
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info       [0x0a0035] UI     Allowing Page 'Install Type' to be shown
2011-08-09 19:41:01, Info       [0x0a0035] UI     Allowing Page 'Install Type' to be shown
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info       [0x0a0035] UI     Allowing Page 'Install Type' to be shown
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info       [0x0a0047] UI     DiskPart = 0x1
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:====== Does disk [0] offset [0x100000] meet installation reqs? ======
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info       [0x0601ba] IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Windows image size (from metadata) = [4966505746] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info       [0x0601bb] IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Windows image size (after padding) = [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Windows image contents: [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: ~BT volume (estimate): [0] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: Install volume (estimate): [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    DiskSpaceReqs: ~LS volume (estimate w/o padding): [0] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    CalculatingRecommendedSpaceForWindows: RequiredSize  [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    CalculatingRecommendedSpaceForWindows: Recommending  [13105940064] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Install volume -- required    free space = [6000027232] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Install volume -- recommended free space = [13105940064] bytes
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:Summary - CCP check passed; able to calculate space reqs; able to find install location; location type meets installation reqs; size of location is not too small; location free space is enough; location free space meets the recommendation
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBS    Callback_ValidateInstallDrive:-----------------------------------------------------------
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info       [0x0606cc] IBS    GetSystemDiskNTPath: Unable to get required buffer size for system disk from BCD APIs; status = 0xc0000452
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Error      [0x06069e] IBS    GetMachineInfo:Couldn't find boot disk on this BIOS-based computer
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB CanBeSystemVolume: Volume at disk [0] offset [0x100000] doesn't meet criteria for system volumes...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Disk [0] is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for disk 0: CanBeSystemVolume] The selected disk is not the computer's boot disk.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB CanBeSystemVolume: Volume at disk [0] offset [0x0] doesn't meet criteria for system volumes...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Disk [0] is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for disk 0: CanBeSystemVolume] The selected disk is not the computer's boot disk.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Region on disk [0] (offset = [0x0]) is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for {disk 0 offset 0x0}: CanBeSystemVolume] The partition is too small.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB CanBeSystemVolume: Volume at disk [0] offset [0x7e00] doesn't meet criteria for system volumes...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Disk [0] is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for disk 0: CanBeSystemVolume] The selected disk is not the computer's boot disk.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Region on disk [0] (offset = [0x7e00]) is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for {disk 0 offset 0x7e00}: CanBeSystemVolume] The partition is too small.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB CanBeSystemVolume: Volume at disk [0] offset [0x1900100000] doesn't meet criteria for system volumes...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Disk [0] is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for disk 0: CanBeSystemVolume] The selected disk is not the computer's boot disk.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB CanBeSystemVolume: Volume at disk [0] offset [0x100000] doesn't meet criteria for system volumes...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB DiskRegionSupportsCapability:Disk [0] is BLOCKED against capability [CanBeSystemVolume] for the following reasons...
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB LogReasons: [BLOCKING reason for disk 0: CanBeSystemVolume] The selected disk is not the computer's boot disk.
2011-08-09 19:41:03, Info                  IBSLIB Remedy was applied for said disk rule

 

[gregrocker]

Are you trying to install with USB flash stick or HD? What method did you write installer to stick? Try using the Universal tool I posted. Can you also try DVD install, perhaps borrow a USB DVD drive if necessary?

What SATA port is your HD plugged into? Try another port. Next if possible try another HD. Are all other HD's and peripherals unplugged?

Continue working through all the steps given as there are no shortcuts when getting past these install failures, but there are more steps. Or you can jump to moving HD to another computer to install per last step given.

 

[ksr04]

I am using USB flash drive for the installation. I am pretty sure that the USB installer I have is proper as it was used to install windows 7 in a different machine. The usb has been created using UltraISO.

I am using USB installer as my DVD drive is not working now. Last time when I had installed using DVD, it installed properly. The installation through USB is causing some error. USB dvd drive can definitely be an option if the USB flash drive installation does not work.

I have a dell inspiron 1545 laptop, I am not sure which port the HD is plugged in.

In the log above, the problem starts from the line:

GetSystemDiskNTPath: Unable to get required buffer size for system disk from BCD APIs; status = 0xc0000452

Do you have any idea on when that error occurs?

 

[gregrocker]

As you're unable to get to installer's Custom>Drive options to create a partition, use Step 2.2 in tutorial SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation to create a Partition and mark it Active to see if installer sees it.

Using the partition you've created with Diskpart, boot the DVD, press Shift + F10 at first screen to open a Command Line then run Disk Check with /r switch.​

It is rare that it's needed with Win7, but I would try loading SATA controller driver here to see if it sees HD.​

Verify the BIOS detects the HD correctly. What are the settings given for HD? I've already given you the step to set SATA controller to AHCI first with no feedback - steps cannot be skipped if you want to move forward and not dither.​

 

[ksr04]

There was some problem with installing windows using USB on this particular system. Ofcourse, I cannot tell the exact problem as I do not know. I thought of removing USB drive out of picture and now I am installing windows as I write this post. Here is what I did.
1. Booted from the USB installer and pressed SHIFT+F10
2. executed the "clean" command in diskpart
3. created a 5 GB fat32 partition and assigned a drive letter using "assign" command
4. copied the usb flash drive contents into the newly formed partition using xcopy
5. rebooted the system with the 5gb partition in my HDD as the boot location

rest all is the normal process.

Thanks everyone for your valuable inputs. But the question still remains... what was the problem with the USB installation?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good to see you found a solution and thanks for the update.

 

[Maguscreed]

To me this sounds like you ran into a shortcoming with the dell bios.
Glad you are finally sorted though.

 

[sunny155]

signed up to Thanks you @ksr04
You saved my night! After 3 hours of trials and different solutions your's finally worked!

 

[MadEgg]

Signed up here to reply as well. OMG, ksr04, you are my hero. Tried gazillions of different methods to get it to install, and this is the only one that worked.

Small addition:
* created 5G fat partition as mentioned and copied all files
* rebooted from hard disk
* during set up: remove FAT partition and insert USB stick
* install Win7 the normal way.

Thanks!