USB Installation of Win7 Ultimate x64

[wakkedup]

Hello all, I'm new here. Found this forum via google, of all places

I'm having a serious problem. I'll start with the specs first, and then get to the problem though.

System:
Seagate 500GB HDD
Gigabyte M68MT-S2P mobo w/ BIOS Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
USB installation of Windows 7 Ultimate x64

And now, the problem... the installation starts, and I get to the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, I choose my drive, which is "Disk 0 Partition 1", which displays Total Size 465.8 Free Space 465.8 Type Primary, but Windows 7 installer says: "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information."

Now, as you can see from what I said the issue it, it loads into the installation just fine. I've used a 32bit version of this and installed Win7 on several netbooks with the same issue, and in all cases, removing the USB at this point and re-inserting it was what fixed it.

The things that I have tried already are:
1. Removing the USB so that the only drive in is the HDD, but then I get the "Windows is unable to install to the selected location. Error: 0x80300001.
a. A google search, and human logic, tell me that this is because the USB drive is no longer present, so I re-insert, and choose the drive again, and get the same original error in the issue above.

2. I have installed ubuntu on the hard drive from a USB, which of course, installed fine, and ran fine. I've again reformatted the drive, since the installer was saying it was not NTFS when it had Ubuntu on it.

3. I've changed the boot order in the BIOS to various different setups, including HDD first & USB devices second; USB devices first and HDD second. The BIOS lists the USB flash drive under Hard Drives, of which I've set it to #2, and also tried it as #1.

4. I've even tried installing Win7 from another PC and would try to move the drive to the new PC if it had worked, but this gave me the same error(and this likely wouldn't have worked, anyway).

I'm at my wits end here! I don't have a DVDrom, and it's been a couple of years since I've needed one. I've ordered one from newegg, but it won't be here for a couple of days, so any help would be appreciated.

The only thing that I can say that I know that I haven't tried is another USB flash drive, but the one I'm using is the same one I used on the above mentioned netbooks, and I don't have another USB flash drive that's large enough to try to use.

Please help me if you can! and thank you in advance for even reading this, I honestly appreciate someone even looking at this.

:edit: Also, thought I should mention, the ONLY things connected right now are the HDD, the USB flash drive, a USB mouse & USB keyboard.:end edit:

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

I am just going to try a guess. Try with another usb memory stick. Installing off memory sticks can be problematic.

How do you create do the boot files for you memory stick? Manually or with software (wintoflash)
Did you format it as fat32 or NTFS?

*Sorry if these have been listed but its quite hard to find key info*

 

[wakkedup]

How do you create do the boot files for you memory stick? Manually or with software (wintoflash)
Did you format it as fat32 or NTFS?

First of all, thank you for the swift reply, Prof. I used the "Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool" from MS to create the USB, which starts off by formatting the media(as NTFS I believe).

I've also tried with several different programs to make the USB boot device with the same results. I will try your suggestion and try another USB flash drive, since that's the one thing I haven't tried yet.

Since posting the original problem, I've also been reading a lot more various different posts about what the issue likely is, that being, any other drive that's on the system can cause this issue, which sucks if you're trying to install from said drive. If only I could make the flash drive read-only :|

 

[Dwarf]

The problem is that you already have a partition which encompasses the full capacity of the drive. The system partition, which you are getting the error message about, is a separate partition to the main OS partition. Since the existing partition is filling the drive, there is no room for this partition to be created.

To overcome this, you need to delete the partition (you should always allow the OS to automatically create the required partitions and format them when installing the OS).

Firstly, check your BIOS boot order. The HDD should be listed first, and you should use the one-time boot method (usually by pressing F12, but check your user manual) to boot into the USB install flash drive. Since you have already managed to install Ubuntu with this method it eliminates possible hardware issues, and I shall assume that you know how to do this part. It is important that the USB drive is not set as the default boot device, as this will lead to endless boot looping.

Now start your computer, and boot up from the USB flash drive. Follow the instructions here (they refer to a conventional DVD install, but are exactly the same for a USB-based one) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html up to Step 8. With reference to the information in the Tip box, select the partition and then click Delete to remove it. Now restart your computer and again boot up from the USB flash drive. You should now be able to install as normal, and the required partitions should be created automatically for you.

 

[wakkedup]

Thanks for the reply, Dwarf. I will try as you said after I get the other USB with the files setup.

Question though: Shouldn't the Win7 installer do that for me if I deleted the partition and clicked 'Next'? or do I have to reboot after deleting the partition?

 

[Dwarf]

It should work either way, it's just my personal preference to reboot at this stage.

 

[wakkedup]

Tried both suggestions, same problem with the new flash drive, and also same problem with steps 1-8 from the link Dwarf posted.

One thing I did notice before I "Deleted from Drive options(advanced)" and rebooted was the "Type: System", but it encompassed the entire drive.

It is my understanding that I shouldn't have to create the system & primary partition manually; the installer should do all of that for me.

So, same error with "Type: System" on the full drive, as well as same error with "Type: {blank}" on the full drive.

Going to reboot again.

No change, still same issue.

One thing that I just noticed, since I deleted the partition (Type: {blank}), and try to view drives via "Load Driver" & "Browse", is that my USB flash drive shows as "Removable Disk (C: )". I'm going to try to split the drive into 2 equal sized partitions, and make 1 the Primary and leave the other half blank.


Formatting the drive from diskpart now

• 
  shift+f10–>diskpart[Enter]
  list disk (USB flash drive showing as disk 1 )
  sel disk 0
  clean
  create par primary
  sel par 1
  act
  format fs=ntfs
  exit

Going to reboot again when it is complete and try again.

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

I had issues with wintoflash and other software. Try doing it manually

How To Boot And Install Windows 7 From USB Flash Drive

That is how I got it to work.
It may work for you.

 

[gregrocker]

An easier method to write the ISO to flash stick which always works is using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu. Confirm the ISO first or download another.

The other most likely prob is code in boot sector needs cleaning with Diskpart Clean command as you're doing.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals.

Keep us posted.

 

[wakkedup]

After doing the diskpart bit that I mentioned above and rebooting, I still have the same error. Disk 0 Partition 1 is the only thing showing, has "Total Size = 465.8 GB", "Free Space = 465.7", "Type = System".

I'll try using the Universal USB Installer next, taking a short break. I don't really think its how I'm making the flash drive thats the problem, unless maybe i need to make it fat32 for some reason(I'm making it ntfs when I manually do it, unsure completely what the MS program formats it as though).

 

[gregrocker]

Reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI to try install, IDE or Compat if that fails.

Create and mark Active a Primary NTFS partition using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Please fill in your System SPecs in bottom left corner of post.

 

[wakkedup]

Just reset CMOS; trying to re-copy ISO to flash drive with the specified Universal USB Installer specified previously but it says it will format as FAT32. Should I format it as NTFS and not have the USB installer format it? or is it fine to format as FAT32?

:edit: also updated my system specs for this machine in lower left, as requested :endedit:

 

[gregrocker]

UUI has never been reported to failed in hundreds of times recommended. I believe it formats the stick's native format. I would try it.

Another option which always works is UltraISO trial version: On file tab open ISO or DVD, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write.

 

[wakkedup]

I've used the program a dozen times or so for ubuntu flavor-ful installs, but never with win7. already let it do it's format and trying it now.

:edit:Same error, but I reset the CMOS, so gonna re-check the BIOS. I do not, however(that I can find), have an option for AHCI in the BIOS.:end edit:

 

[gregrocker]

Try removing all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Test your RAM: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

What are your SATA controller settings?

Where did you get Win7? DId you download it? Try another download burned to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x or written to flash stick.

Try creating the Active partition as given earlier.

 

[wakkedup]

I have 2 4 gig sticks, up i do have 2 2 gig sticks i could put one in of those i guess.

I'm not too sure what u mean by SATA controller settings, unless you're talking about in the BIOS, and those are default after the reset CMOS.

Win7 from MS site - download. I've ordered a dvdrom since i dont have one, and didnt think I needed one, but it will arrive on tuesday with some dvd+r discs.

I will also try the active partition as described earlier, still, as i havent done that yet, since it said it might take 2hrs for a 500gb hdd.

That being said, if none of that works, I'll just wait *im*patiently until the dvdrom drive arrives.

Thank you all for all of your help up to this point, though!

 

[gregrocker]

You can try using the "Clean" command which is much shorter and wipes the critical boot sector. The important thing about that is in step 2.2 to define a Primary Active partition to see if that can be seen.

 

[wakkedup]

You can try using the "Clean" command which is much shorter and wipes the critical boot sector. The important thing about that is in step 2.2 to define a Primary Active partition to see if that can be seen.

Clean is much quicker, and I've used that many times, but no luck again. I hate to think it's something simple that I'm overlooking.

To be sure I did Step 2.2 correctly, here's what I have after clean and making the partition it suggested:
Disk 0 Partition 1: Total: 100.0 GB, Free: 100.0 GB, Type: Primary
Disk 0 Unallocated Space: 365.8 GB, Free: 365.8 GB, Type: {blank}

I tried installing on either, with no luck. Going to reboot again and try, will post here again if it worked.

It shouldn't be this hard to install Win7 from a USB device though

:edit: It didn't work, however, I did find a setting in the BIOS called HPET mode, setting was 32-bit, switched it to 64-bit, but still getting the same error in Win7 installation. Doing the Step 2.2 now with 'clean all' first, so it's going to be awhile again before I run the install flash drive.:end edit:

 

[gregrocker]

Was the partition marked Active? The entire point of creating it is to mark it Active.

The only other reason I can think of that you'd error with no available System partition is that the disk is Dynamic. Run Diskpart List Disk command to see if Dyn is checked.

A better picture of your HD can be had using free Partition Wizard bootable CD, which can also wipe it from the DIsk tab. You may need to wipe with zeroes due to Linux code persisting, as this can flummox Win7 in many ways.

You can also install to the HD in another machine then SysPrep before moving it back to problem hardware where it should start like a new install: SysPrep to move HD to another computer. The software which will do this from booted CD is Paragon Adaptive Restore.

If it fails in another machine you'll know the problem is the installer or HD. Where did you get Win7? You can test your HD now using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which will also wipe the HD afterwards.

 

[wakkedup]

Was the partition marked Active? The entire point of creating it is to mark it Active.

I'm not sure what you mean by that, the windows installer has never said "Active" for me. Either "primary", "system", or ""(blank). And searching that step 2.2 info, I couldnt find a screenshot of where I should see "Active".

In any event, tried resetting CMOS again, after removing my RAM and inputting just 1 2GB stick. Same issue.

As to your question again about where I downloaded the iso from, I got it from the MS site. I was not aware I could get it anywhere else, at least legitimately.

Regardless, I'm thinking I'm just going to call this one a bust and wait until the sata dvdrom I ordered arrives. Thanks everyone for your assistance. There was a lot of good information given, regardless of whether I was able to get it working or not. I'll chalk it up to Win7 being harder to install than I'd imagined and just put ubuntu back on it until the dvdrom arrives.

Again, cheers, and thank you all!