Can't Install Windows 8 on Replacement Hard Drive

Question

I got the replacement hard drive from Dell that I was told would come with Windows 8 and drivers preinstalled. Well I installed the hard drive and it tells me that NO OS can be found. I didn't have a chance to make backup discs of my own but Dell sent a Windows 8 Recovery Media CD with the laptop and now with the replacement hard drive.When trying to install Windows 8 onto the new hard drive I get to the part where it tells me to choose a partition to install Windows 8 on and none of them will let me. There are 5 to choose from and I don't know what to do to get past this. The biggest partition which is 5 has about 934GB of space left out of 1TB but as I mentioned I can't choose it or any of the other ones for installation.

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

Can you simply click Next anyway, despite the message? If not:

Boot to the Windows 8 DVD, instead of Install Now, click on Repair Your Computer, Advanced Options, Command Prompt ... when it opens, type in the following:

diskpart
select disk 0
clean

Then, attempt to install.

The above will remove all partition and disk information, allowing you to do a clean install to an empty disk (those partitions are not necessary, and Windows will create its own partitions (two) that it needs to install and run).

MsGems · Answer

How would I get those screenshots without having an OS on the system?

DELL-Senthil S · Answer

Hi MsGems,

Dell does not support multiple partitions on the hard drive, to install the operating system you need to choose the 934 GB partition. However provide us the screen shots to check what those partitions are and to help you further.

MsGems · Answer

Also, the hard drive came with that many partitions. If that's not supported then you shouldn't send them out in that state...:emotion-40:

The partition descriptions are as follows.

Drive 0 Partition 1: ESP 500.0MB / 447.0MB System

Drive 0 Partition 2: DIAGS 40.0MB/ 35.0MB OEM (Reserved)

Drive 0 Partition 3: 128.0MB/128.0MB MSR (Reserved)

Drive 0 Partition 4: WINRETOOLS 492.0MB/238.MB Recovery

Drive 0 Partition 5: 930.4GB/930.2GB (Primary)

theflash1932 · Answer

Why can't you choose the larger partition?

MsGems · Answer

I can't click Next anyway. The 2nd part you described is what it looks like what I'll need to do. I was just scared I'd be deleting other stuff I shouldn't.

theflash1932 · Answer

'All the partitions give a message at the bottom saying that Windows can't be placed on them' THIS is what I was looking for ... simply saying it 'won't let me' doesn't tell us anything.

MsGems · Answer

All the partitions give a message at the bottom saying that Windows can't be placed on them when I try as I mentioned in my original post. If I knew WHY I wouldn't be posting to ask for help.

MsGems · Answer

The message I get when trying to install on any partition is 'Windows can't be installed onto this disk. The selected disk of the GPT partition style.'

theflash1932 · Answer

You are still getting that message after running CLEAN in DiskPart?

MsGems · Answer

Inspiron 17R (5720)

I tried using the Dell drivers DVD that came with the Win 8 one but there were no drivers detected that could be used. I don't have any USB sticks or DVD discs to load drivers onto. All I have is a portable hard drive.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Model of Dell? You may need to select the load drivers option and load SATA drivers before you can install on the hard drive.

MsGems · Answer

You mean deleting the other partitions and just doing a clean install? That's what I think I'm going to do and hope for the best.

Philip_Yip · Answer

The Intel Rapid Storage Technology preinstall driver: http://ftp.dell.com/Pages/Drivers/inspiron-17r-5720.html#Serial ATA

See Step 6 of Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean install of Windows 8 for details on preparing the SATA drivers for OS preinstallation:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19480753.aspx

MsGems · Answer

I deleted all the partitions and reinstalled in Legacy mode and all went fine. I got freaked out for nothing because of how picky Win 8 can be, Feel free to delete or close this thread. Thanks to all who tried to help. :)

Windows General

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