Article ID: 927520 - Last Review: September 14, 2007 - Revision: 2.6 You cannot select or format a hard disk partition when you try to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2Support for Windows Vista without any service packs installed ended on April 13, 2010. To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure you're running Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 (SP2). For more information, refer to this Microsoft web page: Support is ending for some versions of Windows (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support-windows-xp-sp2-windows-vista-without-service-packs)Important Dynamic discs are only supported for:
They are not supported for Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Starter, and Windows 7 Home Premium. There is one exception. When you upgrade your computer from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Windows Vista Home Premium, some dynamic discs are handled and supported. SYMPTOMSWhen you try to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
CAUSEThis problem may occur for one of the following reasons:
RESOLUTIONTo resolve this problem, use one or more of the following methods. Method 1: Verify that the partition is compatible with WindowsYou cannot install Windows on a FAT32 partition. Additionally, you must correctly configure dynamic disks for use with Windows. To verify that the partition is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, follow these steps:
Method 2: Update the drivers for the hard disk controllerIf you want to install Windows Vista Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as an upgrade, update the drivers for the hard disk controller to the latest drivers.Note Windows Setup provides a feature to migrate current drivers to the new operating system. Therefore, Windows Setup may use the drivers that are currently installed on the computer. If the computer does not have the latest drivers installed, the Setup program may use the outdated drivers. In this case, you may experience compatibility problems. Method 3: Provide the correct drivers for the hard disk controllerIf you are trying to perform a clean installation of Windows, you must provide the correct drivers for the hard disk controller. When you are prompted to select the disk on which to install Windows, you must also click to select the Load Driver option. Windows Setup will guide you through the rest of the process.Method 4: Examine the Setupact.log file to verify that the partition is activeIf you receive the following error message, verify that the partition is active by examining the Setupact.log file:Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation
Method 5: Check for firmware updates and for system BIOS updatesFor firmware updates and for system BIOS updates, contact the manufacturer of the hardware in the computer, visit the following Web site:http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors/en-us
(http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors/en-us)
Method 6: Verify that the system BIOS correctly detects the hard diskFor information about how to verify that the system BIOS correctly detects the hard disk, contact the manufacturer of the computer hardware.Method 7: Use the Chkdsk.exe utility to check for problemsRun the Chkdsk.exe utility to check for disk problems. Replace the hard disk if it is damaged.Method 8: Use the Diskpart.exe utility to clean the disk, and then run Windows Setup againIf you have tried all the methods that are listed in this section and the problem persists, use the Diskpart.exe utility to clean the disk, and then run Windows Setup again.Note Use this method only if you want to perform a clean installation of Windows. When you clean the hard disk, it is formatted. All partitions and all data on the hard disk are permanently removed. We strongly recommend that you back up the files on the hard disk before you clean the disk. To use the Diskpart.exe utility to clean the hard disk, follow these steps:
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