Windows 7 Home Premium installation error with system partition

[emsetsfire]

Hi,

So I'm trying to install Windows 7 on my notebook through a USB boot but I keep getting the “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition.” error no matter what I try. I've read other threads in hopes of getting help but nothing seems to work for me. My notebook has no CD/DVD drive so I've been using a USB flash drive boot which I created using bootcamp on my macbook pro.

Here is are screenshots of where I'm stuck, disk part and details of disk 0 (HDD):

My notebook has no OS now so I'd really like to get this fixed!

Thanks

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello emsetsfire, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look through the information below for some additional ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

   Information

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.

If that does't work, 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.

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

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to external media and want to start fresh with a clean installation or clean install with an upgrade version of Windows 7 have a look through the information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

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
​

If you want to completely wipe / over-write the entire Hard Disk Drive of any possible format errors, malware infection, for security purposes or just to get the best possible place to install Windows to, have a look at these tutorials.

Secure Erase / Wipe : Definition and Methods

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information​

​

 

[emsetsfire]

Alright, so I've tried both using diskpart to create the partition and the windows installer but neither seem to work. However, I noticed that using diskpart changed the partition's type to 'system' while the other one leaves it as 'primary'. Does that mean anything?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Did you run either the clean or the clean all that's the point, to over-write all the old code?

 

[emsetsfire]

Ah yes, I've done both several times.

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals of any kind, enter BIOS setup to set HD first to boot, change SATA controller to AHCI to try install first.

Boot the installer using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.

If it fails, access installer Command Line by pressing Shift + F10 at first screen, clean again and format an NTFS Active partition using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Next confirm the installer. Download the latest official ISO and write to stick using tool in Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Report back results of each step as if required there will be others.

 

[emsetsfire]

I tried the first steps but no luck so then I tried installing Windows 7 Ultimate instead and the installer gave me no issues... However, now my resolution is 800x600 but it looks a little stretched to my eyes. It's a Dell Inspiron Mini 1018.

 

[gregrocker]

What is the licensed version which came with the PC? The OS version has nothing to do with how it performs at all - only a few extra expensive features which are not needed by the vast number of users.

So I would reinstall your licensed version following the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
paying close attention how to deal with drivers. If Screen Res cannot be adjusted with the driver you have, get your Updates all done to see if it delivers a Display driver under Optional Updates, or import it from the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Be sure to install your licensed version. You do not want to pay for expensive features you don't need when you own a license for the life of the PC already which came with it. Do not bootleg Ultimate as you will be caught.