Problem installing Win 7

Bones

Bones

Bones

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So i decided to change to win 7 from XP, i get to the "Where do you want to install windows?" I can see my Samsung 60gb MLC SSD, but when i click on the drive and click next i get the error.

"Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log files for more information."

I tried deleting the partition (OLD XP) and that gives the same message, i tried formatting aswell, but same message appears and i cannot progress :(

I'm pretty screwed now as i deleted my old install and can't get win 7 working.

Any Suggestions?
 
Are you booting from USB or DVD? Some setups will boot from USB, see the disk, but will give you this message.

Have you also tried running DISKPART from the recovery options, and CLEAN the disk.

*** MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE RIGHT DISK WHEN USING DISKPART IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE DRIVE ***
 
I'm installing from DVD. I am installing XP back onto it now which seems to be working fine.

So I should try booting into windows from another drive, running diskpart and re-aligning it to what settings?

Thanks for the fast response.
 
No you can run Diskpart from the Windows 7 DVD, just choose repair computer instead of setup now, then select the tools, Command Prompt and run Diskpart from there.

No need to install Windows to get to diskpart. And you won't need to realign the disk, Windows 7 will do that once you can install to it. Clean effectively wipes the disk of all partitioning info.

Do you have any HDs in the machine and what controller/settings is it set to?
 
running diskpart at the moment. I just read the Microsoft description of diskpart but to be honest i'm not entirely confident with it. What do i actually have to do?

i got as far as:

select disk 0

detail disk

help a noobie out :)
 
SELECT DISK 0 (assuming this is your SSD)
CLEAN
EXIT

Reboot to try setup again, let the Win 7 installer create any partitions.

Sorry I did a ninja edit earlier. Do you have any other drives in the PC including any USB sticks? It might be worth disconnecting them during setup.
 
I have it plugged into IDE channel 0 Master (Sata cable)

its a Gigabyte P31 DS3L

EDIT: First boot device is set to my DVD drive, Second is Hard Disk

EDIT: Tried setting the SSD to 1st boot device, no change unfortunately.
 
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Try swapping it round so Hard disk first, and DVD second if you have the option to select a boot menu during the POST. Usually F8 or F12, but differs.

Also in the BIOS is there an option for the priorities of your Hard disks, where it lets you prioritise those too - if so make sure your SSD is first, and not any USB or Removable disk variants.
 
all that is set already.

hmmm i do have a raid card installed aswell which has 2 sata drives in raid 0. This is on a Adaptec

this shows up boot up, shall i try unplugging all that aswell?
 
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haha that was it!! my raid controller was screwing things up. ripped it out, and its now installing fine and dandy!

Thank again for the help ChileanLlama :D
 
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