Need expert help! Setup cant find/create partition

[Faust]

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!

 

[Jonathan_King]

Welcome!

First, yes, Windows will install in AHCI.

Read my guide http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/34853-common-installation-problems.html. I believe I touched on that in there.

Hope this helps,
~JK

 

[Faust]

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

 

[surfasb]

It is also possible, that the setup disk is corrupt. Try to burn a new copy.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Can Setup see your hard drive at all?

Try resetting you BIOS to optimal defaults. There is often an option in the BIOS to do that.

 

[Faust]

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.

 

[Jonathan_King]

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

 

[Faust]

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?

 

[Faust]

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

 

[Jonathan_King]

I don't think you can run a 32-bit Windows installer in 64-bit Windows, but you can try.

 

[theog]

Hi Jonathan_King

Win 7 64bit installed, trying to install 32bit.

That looks like a downgrade.

Faust why do you what 64bit & 32bit.

 

[Faust]

it IS a downgrade. I need it because I'm writing software for Data Acquisition in a pilot-scale installation. This means I need to control pumps, valves and flowmeters. The manufacterer software that is needed for some of it will NOT run on 64 bit and will NOT be supported on 64 bit. This is the one and only reason for this major pain.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Just a suggestion, if you have Professional, you can get a virtual XP machine. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

 

[surfasb]

I don't think you can run a 32-bit Windows installer in 64-bit Windows, but you can try.

You cannot start a 32 bit Windows Install from a 64 bit installation. You'll be asked to reboot.

 

[gregrocker]

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

Did you try unplugging the other HD when you formatted the second HD to install?

If it works, it would allow you to dual boot via the BIOS Boot Menu shortcut key, which is less complicated. Or you could create a Windows Dual boot afterward using EasyBCD to Add the missing OS. Ask us how.

 

[Faust]

SOLVED! Thanks to the last guy replying here. The second HD with only a 1 tb logical partition on it was the problem. I do not know why, but apparantly this inhibits a correct windows install. There is nothing on there besides data, and its a LOGICAL partition, no primary!

Reconnected the disc later and experienced no problems. 64 bit and 32 bit are running perfectly as dual boot from one physical HD on different partitions. Thanks everybody for support!

 

[gregrocker]

It confused the installer. Glad it worked for you.