Problems installing a clean copy of Windows 7 onto a laptop

jonatec

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Apr 20, 2015
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As the installation began, setup complained that it can only install Windows 7 onto a GDT bootable partition. My C drive partition is currently MBR.

So I attempted to create a second partition D: 15GB and using Partition Wizard also set this new partition as Primary.

I read that I could use DISKPART convert GPT

I then run up a DOS window as Admin, and at the command prompt did:
DISKPART select disk 0
DISKPART clean

I then got this error message:
Virtual Disk Service error:
Clean is not allowed on the disk containing the current book, system, pagefile, crashdump or hibernation volume.

Any clues please how to overcome this in order to convert the partition to GDT?

Thanks...
 
I suspect that you mean GPT, and the answer is that you can't convert the disk without wiping everything that's on it. The MBR / GPT difference is at the drive level, below the level of the partition. What computer are you using and what version of Windows did it come with?

What are you trying to accomplish? Fix the win7 installation? Upgrade the machine to run 7? Be able to boot 7 separately? And what make and model of computer do you have?

Finally, where does the message come up - I know from personal experience what win7 will install onto MBR drives, since that's what I'm running right now. With more info, we may be able to help you.
 

jonatec

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Apr 20, 2015
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Thanks for getting back. This is the system:
ASUS,EeePC 1225B, 1 GHz CPU, 4 Gb RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Its a small laptop that has become messed up so I want to re-install Windows 7. It doesn't have a CD/DVD drive so I have created a bootable system from the original installation CD onto a bootable USB stick.

Early in the install process setup gives me the error message, saying that I need a GPT partition for it to install onto.

That's why I have been trying to convert the partition from MBR to GPT.

I have a bona-fide install disk for Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

Am I right in thinking then that I need to "wipe" the C: drive first, what's the best way to do this ?

Thanks.
 
First, I'm confused about it requiring GPT if the drive is 2 GB or smaller.

Second, I repeat that GPT is at the drive level. It's below the partition level. You would have to wipe every partition on the drive in order to convert the drive to GPT. Then, when partitions are created on the drive, they are GPT partitions.

My guess on the diskpart message is that you have an installation and it refuses to delete it. If the Windows installation really requires a GPT drive, you will need to either use a new disk or do a complete backup of your drive to an external drive. If anything goes wrong, restore that backup and you will be back where you started.

Can you post an image of the message? I'm still confused as to why it has to be installed on a GPT device.

Since your aim is to re-install the OS, I would go with the backup and delete all partitions on the drive. I personally would then try to install and see if it agrees to install on an MBR drive (how big is the drive?). If that fails, I'd use a bootable utility like Parted Magic to initialize the drive as GPT and do the install.

Good luck.