[SOLVED] Cannot install Windows after using Diskpart to convert to MBR

[eco_bach]

ok so long story short simply trying to reinstall Windows 10 on a disk in a dual boot setup (Linux is on a physically separate drive and launches without issue).
First issue was when using Rufus USB to install was told that the target disk needed to be MBR partition type
(see https://superuser.com/questions/1594395/partitioning-nightmare-with-usb-windows-installation).
All of my drives originally had GPT partitioning.

So I used Diskpart from cmd line to convert just the Windows disk (Drive 1 in attached image) to MBR.
But now when I attempt to install I get the following error popup.

https://imgur.com/a/JugFHnW

View: https://imgur.com/a/JugFHnW
Does this mean I cannot use MBR partitioning at all? I've already disabled Secure Boot and enabled CSM in UEFI-BIOS.
Any feedback appreciated!

 

[RealBeast]

You must use GPT in a UEFI bios for W10, so change it back with diskpart (convert gpt).

 

[neojack]

unplug the linux drive when you install windows.
in fact, only plug ONE drive when you do any windows installation.

you can wipe your drive this way :
just before installing, there is an option for repairing. choose that, then open the command prompt.
open diskpart
list disk to see the number of your disk (normally 0)
type "select disk 0"
then type "clean"
this will completely wipe all partitions and formating.

you can then reboot and proceed with install normally

Also, for creating windows USB install, it's better to use the official microsoft tool than rufus. rufus is good for all the linux distros though.


for the dual boot, you can manage this by pressing F8 or the other key your motherboard accepts for selecting a boot drive manually.

 

[eco_bach]

Thanks. May I ask why windows USB install is ' better' than Rufus for Windows 10 installs?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Thanks. May I ask why windows USB install is ' better' than Rufus for Windows 10 installs?

It is not better.
With rufus you have much more customizability and options. Without knowing, what each option does, you can select wrong options.
Windows USB install tool is more "foolproof".

 

[eco_bach]

You must use GPT in a UEFI bios for W10, so change it back with diskpart (convert gpt).

Thanks. Feel I am going in circles however. When I use a GPT-UEFI-FAT32 USB created with Rufus it seems I first need to disable CSM in my UEFI-BIOS.
Having done that however it simply doesn't work. I select the USB as a bootable device in UEFI-BIOs but it simply will not boot from the usb.

I think there is something else that perhaps I am missing. Secure Boot? I've current disabled it. ditto for Fast Boot.

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[SkyNetRising]

I select the USB as a bootable device in UEFI-BIOs but it simply will not boot from the usb.

You have to select [UEFI]USB bootable device.
Have secure boot disabled and fast boot disabled.

 

[eco_bach]

You have to select [UEFI]USB bootable device.
Have secure boot disabled and fast boot disabled.

Thanks. Yes There is only 1 option pointing to the USB. Under certain circumstances I recall seeing 2.
UEFI: Kingston...PMAP, partition1 (15008MB)
I select that then I see the Windows logo flash for a split second, then nothing. Arghh!

 

[SkyNetRising]

Then your USB installation media is not properly prepared.

 

[eco_bach]

Thanks. Will try again using Media Creation Tool.

 

[eco_bach]

First of all, very much appreciate your feedback! Have beeen at this for 2 days now.
So progress. Media Creation Tool seems to work for GPT partitioning and Windows10 install from USB though I had to reenable CSM.
But now get the following cryptic error
'We couldn't install Windows in the location you chose. Please check your media drive. Here's more info about what happened: 0x80300024.

Tried reformatting and re partitioning the drive, different USB ports, different CSM settings, but no difference!
Googled the error message as well.

This video I think is getting me closer since the UEFI-BIOS looks very similar to mine. The author suggests disabling CSM and enabling Secure Boot.

However, whenever I disable CSM (or set it to auto) my boot USB doesn't show up in my boot menu!
OMG, installing Windows shouldn't be this difficult.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh4ChTilMtQ

https://imgur.com/a/Rvmq82r

View: https://imgur.com/a/Rvmq82r

 

[SkyNetRising]

Your system needs to have bootloader partition formatted in fat32 for windows/linux dualboot.
If you have linux installed, bootloader partition might be in some linux specific file system. Windows will not be able to boot from that.

Either remove all other drives and have only single drive connected, while you install windows,
or have bootloader partition the way, windows can use it.

 

[neojack]

remove all other drives and have only single drive connected, while you install windows

I already said that too.
best pratice when you install windows is to plug only one drive, completely blank and wiped with diskpart - clean command
too much stuff on that screenshot.

 

[eco_bach]

Thanks! Yes that was it. Just disconnected my 1TB drive which had my Ubuntu install

 

[Colif]

Only problem with not having the other drive with Linux on it attached when he installs win 10 is dual boot won't work if it isn't, one of them needs to share the other boot loader. Seems he needs to reinstall Linux after Windows provided the version just adds itself to the boot loader and doesn't replace it.