Can't install Windows 8 Pro - HDD is GPT error?

Jed Shields · 11 May 2017 at 13:53

Hi guys,

I've just installed a Ryzen 1700 in an Asus Crosshair VI Hero mobo and am trying to install Windows 8 Pro (original disc) onto my 512Gb SSD drive. Windows is telling me I can't install on the drive as it's GPT format. I've tried reformatting it but that didn't work...

Can someone help me out?

Cheers,

Jed

Glanza · 11 May 2017 at 14:15

Can you plug the ssd into another computer to run a diskpart / clean on it? This will remove any partition information.

Jamesyboyjim · 11 May 2017 at 16:00

Delete the partition then create a new one, then format that into ntfs.

marc2003 · 11 May 2017 at 17:49

Glanza said:
Can you plug the ssd into another computer to run a diskpart / clean on it? This will remove any partition information.

You don't need to do it from another computer. You can press shift+f10 to bring up a command prompt during windows setup.

I'd make sure the SSD is the only drive connected - I always disconnect all other drives during windows setup.

Run

Code:

diskpart

then

Code:

list disk

Your disk should be 0. If so...

Code:

select disk 0

and finally

Code:

clean

Obviously this wipes all partitions - everything so be careful!!

Jamesyboyjim said:
Delete the partition then create a new one, then format that into ntfs.

This is no use as it doesn't change the underlying partitioning scheme.

ron3003 · 11 May 2017 at 22:19

http://www.aomeitech.com/aomei-partition-assistant.html
Use the free version, at least you'll be able to see you're working on the right drive

Rabtech · 11 May 2017 at 23:43

Set the BIOS to UEFI mode/Windows 8 mode and enable secure boot, disable CSM. Then use the boot menu to boot from DVD, you should get a UEFI before the model name of your DVD drive and you should be able to install to GPT partitions.