Windows Installation

Troubleshooting

Can't create a new partition or locate an existing one

Error

Error: "We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one." on the Where do you want to install Windows? prompt.

Cause

The installer is having difficulty installing from the flash drive.

Solution

Create a partition on the hard drive and copy the Windows install files there.

• Plug the flash drive with the installer on it into an USB port.
• Boot from the flash drive.
• At the Where do you want to install Windows? screen displaying the error message press Shift + F10 to get a command prompt.

> diskpart
> list disk
> select disk 0
> clean
> create partition primary size=5000
> format fs=ntfs quick
> assign
> active
> list volume
> exit
> cd c: 
> xcopy e: c:/e/h/k
> exit

• select disk 0 selects the hard drive onto which the installation files will be copied.
• create partition makes a partition on the hard drive where the installation files can be copied.
• assign assigns a drive letter to the new partition.
• xcopy copies the installation file from the USB drive to the hard drive.
• The last exit closes the command prompt window.

• After closing the command prompt, remove the USB flash drive and click the X button at the top right of the Windows installation window to close the current installation and reboot the computer.
• The computer should now boot from the hard drive and the installation will use the files from the new partition.