Not enough space on disk that does not exist

[ChuckBradley]

I am trying to do an update install of win 7 pro 64 bit on top of the same. After accepting the license terms,
the installation fails during the compatibility check: "not enough free space on partition (N)"
There is no partition N. The system has a lot of disks. The highest letter is M, a Seagate 3.4TB USB external disk that is almost empty. From the command line window, N does not exist. C is a SSD with 143 GB free of 232 GB. Any ideas about what is going on, or how to avoid it? Thanks.

 

[samuria]

From a cmd prompt type


set
is n listed there?

 

[Megahertz07]

You can't do a Clean install on top of the same. Clean install suppose you're cleaning all the disk before installing. You will have to reinstall all updates and programs. You will loose all your data.
clean-install

To do an install on a drive that already has Win7 it will create a Windows.old folder with all your current files and folders and it needs about 50 G free space. You will have to reinstall all updates and programs. Your data will be under C:\Windows.old\Users"Name"

If you're having issues and want to reinstall Windows without loosing your data and programs you need to do a Repair install.
Repair install is done running setup from your current windows. You will have to reinstall all updates
repair-install.

 

[ChuckBradley]

command "set" shows only drive c:

I can post the result if you think it adds information rather than just clutter.

 

[ChuckBradley]

Not doing a clean install

I did not boot from the win7 dvd. I ran setup.exe on the dvd from the running win7 system and chose update. If I recall correctly, the repair option comes later.

 

[Megahertz07]

I did not boot from the win7 dvd. I ran setup.exe on the dvd from the running win7 system and chose update. If I recall correctly, the repair option comes later.

If you run setup.exe on the dvd from the running win7 system (has to be same version) you're doing a "update" with same version. That is called a Repair install.

The DVD must be same version (H, HP, Pro or ultimate) and same bit version (32 or 64Bits)

As you had issues, do a basic check.
Open a cmd window as administrator and type:
chkdsk c: /f
It will say the disk is in use and if you want to schedule to next start = Yes
Restart
Back to windows, Open a cmd window as administrator and type:
sfc /scannow

 

[ChuckBradley]

The chkdsk, reboot, sfc sequence, as admin, "did not find any integrity violations"

 

[SIW2]

Detach all disks except the one with the os you are running the upgrade on.

 

[ChuckBradley]

Thank you for the suggestion, but I will have to delay trying it until other possibilities are exhausted.
My eyes are weak. The last time I had the case open was to replace a failed power supply. I could mount it,
but could not even get the PS to MB connection, let alone the six sata power connections.
The experiment would require at least one but probably two trips to the local computer repair shop.