We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one." error when installing windows

[cyber3]

Hello, i recently built my first gaming pc ever, and was very excited to start playing on it, but when i was installing windows, i told it to install on my 1 terabyte western digital hard drive, but i still get this error. "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." and i've tried every solution i could find, but they dont work, please help.

 

[gdmaclew]

Is it an internal or external hard drive?

 

[Chicano]

The Windows installer may not detect a HDD.. quote: "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." This probably means it's not detecting where to create or find partitions.

See if changing the SATA controller setting to AHCI or IDE Mode helps. If that doesn't help, first create the partition from another windows before attempting to install a new Windows on the HDD.

 

[cyber3]

I have an internal 1 terabyte HDD

 

[cyber3]

The Windows installer may not detect a HDD.. quote: "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." Probably means not detecting where to create or find partitions. See if changing the SATA controller setting to AHCI or IDE Mode helps. If that doesn't help, first create the partition from another windows before attempting to install a new Windows on the HDD.

I can create partitions using the "new" button within the screen, i dont think that making a partition in a different computer then moving it back will do much unfortunately.

 

[gdmaclew]

The Windows installer may not detect a HDD.. quote: "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." Probably means not detecting where to create or find partitions. See if changing the SATA controller setting to AHCI or IDE Mode helps. If that doesn't help, first create the partition from another windows before attempting to install a new Windows on the HDD.

I can create partitions using the "new" button within the screen, i dont think that making a partition in a different computer then moving it back will do much unfortunately.

I thought you said you couldn't create new partitions.
Which version of Windows are you trying to install?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

"i dont think that making a partition in a different computer then moving it back will do much unfortunately"

It doesn't make any difference what PC you use to create HDD partitions on, those same partitions (and existing ones) will remain intact when the HDD is moved to a different PC.

 

[SkyNetRising]

but i still get this error. "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one.

Clean the drive before installing windows onto it.
If your system is set to UEFI boot only and disk is in MBR partition format, you can't install windows to it.
Same thing if your system is set to legacy boot only and disk is in GPT partition format.

To clean the drive:
boot from windows installation media,
go to command prompt and execute commands

• diskpart
  list disk
  select disk X ( X - number of your 1TB HDD from previous command, should be 0)
  clean
  exit

Clean command is data destructive, use it carefully. Don't clean the wrong drive.

 

[cyber3]

but i still get this error. "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one.

Clean the drive before installing windows onto it.
If your system is set to UEFI boot only and disk is in MBR partition format, you can't install windows to it.
Same thing if your system is set to legacy boot only and disk is in GPT partition format.

To clean the drive:
boot from windows installation media,
go to command prompt and execute commands

• diskpart
  list disk
  select disk X ( X - number of your 1TB HDD from previous command, should be 0)
  clean
  exit

Clean command is data destructive, use it carefully. Don't clean the wrong drive.

The western digital 1 terabyte drive is new, so it is completely clean, thank you very much for the reply however.

 

[SkyNetRising]

The western digital 1 terabyte drive is new, so it is completely clean, thank you very much for the reply however.

Not necessarily. New drive might be already pre-partitioned.

 

[cyber3]

The western digital 1 terabyte drive is new, so it is completely clean, thank you very much for the reply, however.

Not necessarily. New drive might be already pre-partitioned.

I've done it, and unfortunately, it hasn't worked, however, I wonder if taking out my flash drive while on the screen will do something, I'm just trying to change variables to see if I can get a different outcome at this point.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Can you post screen capture of diskpart/list disk command ?

 

[gdmaclew]

Anyone consider that the drive might be faulty?
Are the data cable AND power cable connected?
Does the drive appear in the BIOS?

 

[rgd1101]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from cyber3 : "I get an error message thats unpassable when i tell windows where i want it to install"

Hello, i recently built my first gaming pc ever, and was very excited to start playing on it, but when i was installing windows, i told it to install on my 1 terabyte western digital hard drive, but i still get this error. "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." and i've tried every solution i could find, but they dont work, please help.

Hello... Please provide your MB, CPU, drives, hardware and OS version for us.

1) un-connect the drive(s) you do not want the OS installed on... before the install.

It`s pretty simple this one Cyber3.

I will explain why you get the error when selecting the drive in question to install the windows Os to it.

Basically it is to do with the setting in most cases you have pre selected in the bios setup options of your motherboard.

Relating to the Sata ports of the motherboard and the interface mode you have selected by default.

If you go into the bios and find the settings page for the Sata ports.
If the mode option is Set to Sata, Then change the mode setting to AHCI mode as the option Cyber3.

Save the changes you made in the bios settings before you exit the bios setup menu and options.

Boot from your installation Usb flash drive, or dvd medium to setup and install windows.
Select the HD, or SSD drive you wish to install to, and the windows os installation will install fully without any error messages about creating a partition ok cyber3.

Your second option is, when you get to the point where windows setup asks you what drive you wish to install windows os too.

Is if you look to the left hand side you will see an option in blue writing saying add driver.
What you must do is have the motherboard support and driver dvd with you.

Insert it into the dvd rom drive of the system if you have one, then click on add drivers.
Browse the dvd disk where you will, or should see a list of folders with the drivers for your motherboard.
Find the folder named Sata.
Click inside of it, then click on the file it shows and click ok .

It will pre load the driver for the sata control chip of your motherboard, so the drive can be seen at all times you selected for windows to be installed on so it does not produce the error message you have been getting while trying to install windows to a HD or SSD based drive ok.

If you used a windows setup dvd don`t forget to swap the setup disk for the driver disk.

Make sure the windows setup dvd is placed back in the optical dvd drive of your system before you click next after selecting the drive to install windows os to ok.

I attempted doing this, however, the problem still persists, perhaps I didn't do it correctly? I set the flash drive as the device to boot to already, and I have changed my SATA settings, I saved and exited and redid everything in the setup and I still get the problem, unfortunately.

Ironsounds, I have no other drives, just one terabyte western digital drive

MB=b7sh2-m3 ecs CPU=intel i5 2500k DRIVE: western digital 1 terabyte blue OS: windows 10

It`s pretty simple this one Cyber3.

I will explain why you get the error when selecting the drive in question to install the windows Os to it.

Basically it is to do with the setting in most cases you have pre selected in the bios setup options of your motherboard.

Relating to the Sata ports of the motherboard and the interface mode you have selected by default.

If you go into the bios and find the settings page for the Sata ports.
If the mode option is Set to Sata, Then change the mode setting to AHCI mode as the option Cyber3.

Save the changes you made in the bios settings before you exit the bios setup menu and options.

Boot from your installation Usb flash drive, or dvd medium to setup and install windows.
Select the HD, or SSD drive you wish to install to, and the windows os installation will install fully without any error messages about creating a partition ok cyber3.

Your second option is, when you get to the point where windows setup asks you what drive you wish to install windows os too.

Is if you look to the left hand side you will see an option in blue writing saying add driver.
What you must do is have the motherboard support and driver dvd with you.

Insert it into the dvd rom drive of the system if you have one, then click on add drivers.
Browse the dvd disk where you will, or should see a list of folders with the drivers for your motherboard.
Find the folder named Sata.
Click inside of it, then click on the file it shows and click ok .

It will pre load the driver for the sata control chip of your motherboard, so the drive can be seen at all times you selected for windows to be installed on so it does not produce the error message you have been getting while trying to install windows to a HD or SSD based drive ok.

If you used a windows setup dvd don`t forget to swap the setup disk for the driver disk.

Make sure the windows setup dvd is placed back in the optical dvd drive of your system before you click next after selecting the drive to install windows os to ok.

I am using a flash drive and sadly have no dvd port

so is there any way to do this with a flash drive?

Can the thread please revive? I really want to finish this computer

 

[rgd1101]

don't spam the forum

 

[Chicano]

The Windows installer may not detect a HDD.. quote: "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." Probably means not detecting where to create or find partitions. See if changing the SATA controller setting to AHCI or IDE Mode helps. If that doesn't help, first create the partition from another windows before attempting to install a new Windows on the HDD.

I can create partitions using the "new" button within the screen, i dont think that making a partition in a different computer then moving it back will do much unfortunately.

I thought you said the installer answered: quote: "i still get this error. "We couldnt create a new partition"
And if you can create a partition from any computer through the Windows disk manager, but the installer does or not recognize the partition, or HDD... as well as the BIOS can, the problem is probably the Windows USB installer. Try re-creating it with a different USB installer Maker. If this doesn't help,.. several screenshots/pictures of the finished partition and the issue while installing should say alot more than you can describe.

• Windows 8 USB Installer Maker
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Windows-8-USB-Installer-Maker.shtml

• Universal USB Installer Maker
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

• LinuxLive USB Creator
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/

 

[gdmaclew]

Nowhere in the thread have you said which version of Windows you are trying to install.
I asked that before.
We can't help you if you don't answer our questions.

 

[cyber3]

Windows 10, sorry, I have been gone.

 

[cyber3]

Ok I'm going to make a run-down, I'm getting an error which I've tried many solutions for (disk part, deleting and then creating new, etc.) I'm using a USB 2.0 flash drive to install windows 10, onto a 1 terabyte western digital hard drive. I have an intel i5 2500k, and a b7sh2-m3 ECS motherboard for that CPU. That's about it, I just really hope its not a hardware problem, but if it is, hopefully I can fix it.

 

[gdmaclew]

Thank you for the info.
You said "deleting". I thought you originally said you couldn't create a partition. In fact that is the heading of your question.
This is more than a little confusing.
Can you create a partition or not?

 

[cyber3]

Hello guys, I know its over 2 months since starting this thread, but I have found the solution. This video right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2bZkKbW7BM&index=13& details it greatly, and finally solved my problem, I thank everyone for the replies.

 

[dch0001]

Hello, i recently built my first gaming pc ever, and was very excited to start playing on it, but when i was installing windows, i told it to install on my 1 terabyte western digital hard drive, but i still get this error. "We couldnt create a new partition or locate and existing one. For more information, see the setup log files." and i've tried every solution i could find, but they dont work, please help.

Look. the solution is veeeery easy.
all those DISKPART tricks are BULLSHIT.
THE SOLUTION IS :
just go into bios screen. (if UEFI go to advanced)
go to the section of USB OPTIONS. and DISABLE USB 3.0. ( LEGACY MUST REMAIN ENABLED )
NOW Go to BOOT OPTIONS. IN THE LIST OF DISK BOOT PRIORITIES , THE DISK ON WHICH YOU ARE GOING TO INSTALL WINDOWS MUST BE THE FIRST ONE. IF IT IS NOT, GIVE IT THE PRIORITY. NO MATTER IF IT'S A SSD OR A HARD DISK. NOW MAKE SURE UNDER THE "BOOT FROM DISK OPTION" THE PROPER DISK IS SELECTED. NOW SAVE CHANGES AND RESET.
THE POINT IS >> just before the first installation screen which is a dark blue screen with white windows (in case of windows 10) appears. you have to see the DOSy black screen which there's written "PRESS ANY KEY TO BOOT FROM USB . . . ." . if you see this screen and pressed a key and jump to installation process, you won't face the error.100% sure