Newbie formatting and installing Windows. Need help.

[Dexxy]

Hello.

I just now decided I would try to format my C drive and reinstall windows. This is my first time trying this on my own, so please bear with me.

I started following this guide: How To Format C From a Windows Setup Disc
When I got to the step where I am supposed to press the partition and "format", I got this error message:
windows is unable to install to the selected location. error 0x8030001

I started to google the problem, and read somewhere I needed to get drivers for my motherboard to load before the format step, or something. Said and done I decided to head back to BIOS to re-arrange the Boot Devices so that it wouldn't load from the DVD anymore.

Now when I start Windows, I get a black screen with white text saying:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
(Suggests me running "Repair your computer" off the Windows DVD)

Status: 0xc000000f

Info: The boot selection failed beacuse a required device is inaccessible.

Currently writing this off my laptop. What the hell do I do?

 

[gregrocker]

We need to know your make/model at least, and ideally have your System Specs filled in the bottom left corner of your post.

Follow these steps to clean reinstall Win7 perfectly: Reinstalling Windows 7

If there is another failure let us know exactly when and the verbatim error message.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You may have been led astray by the notion that you have to separately format your drive before you can install Windows.

That's misleading.

Formatting is done as a matter of course, automatically, as part of the Windows installation process when you boot from the Windows DVD. It is not a separate operation that you need to worry about.

Follow Greg's link.

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

 

[Dexxy]

You may have misunderstood me, but I am trying to do exactly what it says in the link you gave me. Its at step 8 in this guide http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html that the error occurs.

I press "Format" and next, and then it just says

windows is unable to install to the selected location. error 0x8030001.

and I am unable to move on.

My C: drive, which I am trying to format, is two partitions: one 345gb (Disk 1 Partition 2), and one 100mb (Disk 1 Partition 1: System Reserved)

Specs are a bit hard to post since I don't have them in my head and I can't access the computer.

Also no, I don't have any recovery disks.

 

[theog]

What OS is installed to Disk 0?

 

[gregrocker]

Reset BIOS to optimal defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS Make sure SATA controller is then set to AHCI, not RAID. Try again.

As given in the steps I posted, boot the WIn7 DVD, select Custom install, then use Drive Options to delete all partitions, repartiiton as you wish or just click Next and the installer will create/format the partition for you and proceed.

If this approach fails, unplug whatever is in Disk0 and swap its cable to the Win7 target HD so only it is plugged in during install, try again.

Next try wiping the HD: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Next test the HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

Remove all but 2gb RAM to try install. Test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Fill in your specs or at least provide make/model.