Windows could not format a partition on disk 0. Error code: 0x80070057

[sleepykidX]

Hey everybody, I am trying to do a clean install of windows 7 onto my laptop, and I keep getting the error, "windows could not format a partition on disk 0. The error occurred while preparing the partition selected for installation. Error code: 0x80070057" . I have reformatted the hard drive and tried clicking next from there. This is the 64-bit version of windows 7, any help would be grateful.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Problem: Error message “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition.”​

What to try:
Make sure that the partition is primary, active, and formatted with NTFS.

Instructions for marking a partition as active using Diskpart:
Open an elevated command prompt:
Method 1: From Windows
Click on Start and type “command prompt”
Right-click on the application and select “Run as administrator”
Choose “Yes” when asked to confirm

Method 2: From a Windows install/repair disc
Boot into the install/repair disc and wait for it to load
Choose “Repair my computer”
Select “Command Prompt”

Type diskpart and press enter.
Enter list disk and note the number of the disk you want to install on.
Enter select disk n n is the number of the disk.
Enter list partition and note the number of the partition you want to install on.
Enter select partition n n is the number of the partition.
Enter active
You can now close the command prompt and re-attempt installation.

Make sure you follow those instructions exactly.

http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...on-installation-problems-their-solutions.html

 

[sleepykidX]

I followed those instructions and I still get the same error. I think the computer recognizes that there is a partition, but that it can not write to the partition.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try cleaning the drive. Make sure there is nothing else on it that you want to save.

Open a command prompt as in the above instructions.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

diskpart
list disk
select disk n
clean all
format fs=ntfs

See if that works.

 

[sleepykidX]

I have encountered a very odd problem, when i tried to clean all my hard drive it said, the device is not connected. See the System Event Log for more information. :sarc: I can clearly see the drive however. Also, when I try to format fs=ntfs it says there is no volume and try again.

 

[gregrocker]

Test your HD using maker's full CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

 

[sleepykidX]

My harddrive is not supported on that list, is there a general harddrive test? My harddrive is a toshiba MK2035GSS

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try using SeaTools: | Seagate

 

[Petey7]

There are some diagnostics test on the Toshiba website, but they are all for Fujitsu drives, not Toshiba branded drives. I'm guessing they got the test from Fujitsu when they bought the company but never made a test of their own. If SeaTools doesn't find anything or won't run, you could try the Fujitsu diagnostic test. You might get a different result.

Software Utilities

 

[gregrocker]

If Seatools doesn't work, I have gotten GWScan (Gateway's adpated version of WD Data Lifeguard) to work on every brand. Run the .exe, which unzips ISO into C:Cabs to burn to CD.
GWSCAN 5.12

 

[sleepykidX]

The drive has failed the Seatools test, "Short DST FAILED" and then a long list of numbers. Does this mean this drive is a goner? Also apparently SMART has been TRIPPED.

 

[Jonathan_King]

SeaTools and SMART reporting errors is probably a bad drive, but try a different SATA cable just in case. It's a bit cheaper than a new drive!

 

[Afnaan Ahsan]

i am facing the same problem...i have tried all the above steps excepl cleaning the whole hard frive coz i have many important files in it...is there any possible way that i can recover these important files before formatting???

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello Afnaan,

You can try this method of copying out your files: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

 

[lex0901]

error code 0x80070057

thanks a lot....it works your instructions....

 

[JadeMasters]

Error code: 0x80070057 Solved!

Hey everybody, I am trying to do a clean install of windows 7 onto my laptop, and I keep getting the error, "windows could not format a partition on disk 0. The error occurred while preparing the partition selected for installation. Error code: 0x80070057" . I have reformatted the hard drive and tried clicking next from there. This is the 64-bit version of windows 7, any help would be grateful.

okay just had this problem today and spent 3 hours trying to fix it.. did a fresh install and i had this error popping up.. i divided my 500gb into 2 partitions Part 1 100GB for windows 7.. Part 2 400gb for my back up files.. when i selected Partition 1 (100GB) it gives me the Error code: 0x80070057 and i cant format it.. but if i select the second partition (400GB) there is no error at all and it continues to install win 7 so i was confused.. but i experimented a bit and luckily i found how to fix the problem.. i do not know if it will fix yours but this is what i did..

In Windows 7 Setup

1. I deleted all partitions.. so i have a 500gb unallocated disk..
2. I created a 100GB partition for my drive C (where my windows 7 will be installed) and normally it will also create another 100mb for the system files..
3. I deleted the 100GB partition because i know it will give me the error code..
4. Created a partition again but this time its only 10GB.. so thats the partition 1 or the Disk 1.. The Disk 0 is for the System Files..
5. I created a Second Partition (Disk 3) 100GB.. and this is where my Windows 7 will be Installed..
6. I created a third Partition (Disk 4) which are the remaining Disk space 370GB and thats for my Local Disk D for my back ups..

Try Reformatting the 10GB it will give you the Error code: 0x80070057.. But Try Reformatting the second partition 100GB and it should not give you any errors..

so basically in my case any partition that is marked as the Disk 1 it will give me the error code..
the 10GB will be useless though but its a small amount of disk space to sacrifice for you to be able to make it work..

Hope This helps..
JadeMasters

 

[gregrocker]

Always unplug all but the HD you want to install Win7 upon. Then the issue you describe shouldn't be a problem. If so work through the steps for Overcoming Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums.

Best to post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image so we can see if it is configured correctly. A persistent problem with two HD's is that the boot files are derailed onto a preceding primary partition than intended, on another HD if all others are not unplugged.