Solved Windows 8.1 install can't get past the partition

jkendall

New Member
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7
Location
TN
Hello all!
I've tried the clean install tutorial and I can't get past the partition step of my installation. I always try to avoid asking questions that have been answered, but I can't find a solution to this one...

Here's my setup:
Windows 8.1 64bit system builder DVD
Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H
AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
GSkill Sniper 8GB DDR3 1866
PNY Optima 240GB SSD
Lite-On DVD IHAS-124

I've played around in BIOS. Currently, AHCI is selected and the boot order is DVD, SSD.
I've disabled UEFI and selected legacy only. For the OS option I've tried both 'Other OS' and 'Windows 8'
I've run diskpart clean (not clean all), convert mbr, partition, and format successfully.

No matter what, when I get to the page, "where do you want to install Windows?" I select the unallocated line (it's the only line) and then the installation stops. I've left it overnight and I get an error message.

I tried installing Ubuntu 14.10 just to see if it would work and it worked flawlessly! I've since formatted the HD (on my Win7 machine) and I am trying to install the SATA driver, but that is hanging up too.

Any suggestions?
Thanks for looking!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
Try installing in UEFI mode. Installing in UEFI mode will also allow you the option of using Secure Boot.

Take a look at this post: link
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
I've run diskpart clean (not clean all), convert mbr, partition, and format successfully.

No matter what, when I get to the page, "where do you want to install Windows?" I select the unallocated line (it's the only line) and then the installation stops. I've left it overnight and I get an error message.
Could you explain the two paragraphs quoted? If you clean the drive there is no need to set it to MBR or format, it should install in the configuration to which you booted the Install Media. If you are formatting, there would be no unallocated space unless it is after the partition you formatted..

You are sure the OEM DVD is good since in was factory made?

What error message are you getting after leaving overnight.

If it takes overnight for you to get some type of failure message, something is not being accessed correctly, you should see a message saying it needs to create partitions and then show you what partitions are created, and then start the install after you agree with the partitions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Try installing in UEFI mode. Installing in UEFI mode will also allow you the option of using Secure Boot.

Take a look at this post: link

Thanks you the suggestion. I adjusted the BIOS as suggested in the link. I still get hung up as soon as I click 'next' after selecting the unallocated partition.

Should I need to install the SATA driver? This is mentioned in my MB manual.

I switched back to Legacy only. This allows me to install the driver where UEFI will not
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
I've run diskpart clean (not clean all), convert mbr, partition, and format successfully.

No matter what, when I get to the page, "where do you want to install Windows?" I select the unallocated line (it's the only line) and then the installation stops. I've left it overnight and I get an error message.
Could you explain the two paragraphs quoted? If you clean the drive there is no need to set it to MBR or format, it should install in the configuration to which you booted the Install Media. If you are formatting, there would be no unallocated space unless it is after the partition you formatted..

You are sure the OEM DVD is good since in was factory made?

What error message are you getting after leaving overnight.

If it takes overnight for you to get some type of failure message, something is not being accessed correctly, you should see a message saying it needs to create partitions and then show you what partitions are created, and then start the install after you agree with the partitions.

Hi, thanks for responding.
The first few times I used diskpart, I did only use the 'clean' command. In hunting for a solution, I tried creating the partition and formatting it as well with no success.

I did not write down the text, but the error # is 0x8004245F. I assumed I could google it, but I didn't find any specifics.

I just retried it in Legacy after installing the driver (off the Gigabyte CD). It's Drive 0, unallocated space, 223 GB, and the type column is blank.

I did order two copies of Win 8.1 from Newegg. I was planning to update the computer I'm using right now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
You are better off selecting UEFI - Secure Boot Off - AHCI

And if that does not switch from AHCI to Sata

you should not have to install any drivers prior to installation
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Ok, under SATA configuration my options are RAID, AHCI, or Native IDE. How do I switch to SATA? Should I try the other DVD or trying installing from a USB? Thanks again
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
Progress!
In the BIOS options: Windows 8, CSM Never (UEFI only), Secure Boot Enabled, SATA config - Native IDE
I made it to the next step and I'll let you know if it works.
But this brings a new question, how do I get it to work when set to AHCI? Won't that be faster than IDE?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
secure boot enabled may have been the issue before.. funny you now have it enabled and progressed.. once you get windows loaded try to switch back to ahci..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Thanks for all the help! It's up and running. I'll try the switch back to AHCI and post the results
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A10-6800K Richland 4.1GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
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