How to format SSD with no access to Windows

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 10:33

Hi
I have had a major crash of Win 8.1, now I cannot access windows at all. I can t figure out how I can format the SSD to install a fresh version of Win 8.1.
I don't have a bootable USB or CD and no means of creating one. I do have the Win 8.1 installation disks.

Can anyone advise me please?

nutcase · 15 Mar 2015 at 10:45

The install disk should give you the option to reconfigure and format partitions.

ED209 · 15 Mar 2015 at 11:14

When going through the OS install it should give you a option to format and even create partitions etc

I have just done a install of windows 7 and formatted my SSD and then installed the os on it

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 12:17

It doesn't get to that stage, it says there is a partition missing. I'm starting to wonder if there is a hardware failure, the SSD?

ED209 · 15 Mar 2015 at 12:25

does it allow you to continue on to then create a partition etc or does the install stop?

what SSD is it?

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 13:08

It's a crucial SSD, it does not give the option to install, unless I have I have missed it.

ED209 · 15 Mar 2015 at 13:18

does the drive have the latest firmware on at all?

do you have a spare PC you can connect it too and create a partition and then format it?

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 13:24

So I select f12 boot menu and then boot from CD/DVD. It then takes a couple of minutes to load from the Win 8 cd to a menu that ask you to select language, time and keyboard layout. Then to an Install button, which once pressed, says set up is starting, then asks for the product key. Once entered I'm taken to the windows set up where it where I want to install windows.
drive 0 has two options Partition 1 which is 100 BM and system reserved and Partition 2 which it says has 238.4 gb free.
Image tried formatting Partition 2 several times when I the proceed to try and install on this partition it says 'We could not create a new partition or locate an existing one for more info see the set up log files.

That's as far as I can get, any ideas?

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 13:26

ED209 said:
does the drive have the latest firmware on at all?

do you have a spare PC you can connect it too and create a partition and then format it?

I don't have a spare PC, I am not sure about firmware, it just abruptly stopped working last week by the loss of input controls (mouse and keyboard) it has not booted since then

kitfit1 · 15 Mar 2015 at 15:20

Your problem here is the 1st partition, 100BM. It's the boot partition for your current install.
You need to delete both partitions using the Win installation disc. Once you have done that, reboot and then install Windows from the installation disc.

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 16:36

I'll give it a go thanks.

wazza300 · 15 Mar 2015 at 16:54

do a startup repair,boot from windows disc or iso/usb and do startup repair,see if that fixes the original install

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 17:19

Well I deleted the partition there is no just one drive but still won't take me to installation. It doesn't appear to format the partition. Any other advice?

Do I need a special programme to format a SSD (It's a crucial brand)

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 17:23

wazza300 said:
do a startup repair,boot from windows disc or iso/usb and do startup repair,see if that fixes the original install

The original install has been deleted now by removing the partitions?

marc2003 · 15 Mar 2015 at 17:52

make sure you unlplug all drives apart from the SSD you want to install windows on.

when booting from the DVD and getting to the first install prompt during setup, hold shift and press f10. this should bring up a command prompt window. type

Code:

diskpart

and then

Code:

list disk

hopefully it will list just the capacity of your SSD. now type in

Code:

select disk 0

now you can zap the whole drive partitions/contents using this command.

Code:

clean

if this throws errors, i have no idea what to do do.....but if it works, hopefully the main setup will now recognise your disk and let you install windows on it.

Phil6340 · 15 Mar 2015 at 18:36

marc2003 said:
make sure you unlplug all drives apart from the SSD you want to install windows on.

when booting from the DVD and getting to the first install prompt during setup, hold shift and press f10. this should bring up a command prompt window. type

Code:

diskpart

and then

Code:

list disk

hopefully it will list just the capacity of your SSD. now type in

Code:

select disk 0

now you can zap the whole drive partitions/contents using this command.

Code:

clean

if this throws errors, i have no idea what to do do.....but if it works, hopefully the main setup will now recognise your disk and let you install windows on it.

Thank you I have to go out tonight but I will try it tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

Phil6340 · 16 Mar 2015 at 20:50

Still no joy, I am thinking the SSD is broken?

dhallam · 19 Mar 2015 at 16:38

Phil6340 said:
Well I deleted the partition there is no just one drive but still won't take me to installation. It doesn't appear to format the partition. Any other advice?

Do I need a special programme to format a SSD (It's a crucial brand)

When you are at this step and only have one partition. expand the advanced settings that are below. While highlighting the partition click new from the advanced menu at the bottom. this should then create a 300meg system partition (win8) then a secondary partition if you select the second partition you should then get the next option and it should start installing.