Installation trouble Windows 11 (partitioning) - "We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one."

[FabioK]

Hi there,

 

I used to be a Windows person a very long time ago, but have bin in the Apple business for over 15 years now.

I am now faced with a challenge where I could really use some input with.

 

I am trying to install Windows 11 on a very strange HP ProLiant MicroServer 8th Gen.

 

HDD Setup:

4x 2 TB connected to the internal Raid card / controller.

1x 256 GB SSD connected on an individual SATA Port.

 

All of them are configured as AHCI compatible, non Raid JBOD.

 

The controller/RAID card is a: "HP Dynamic Smart Array B120i SATA RAID Controller"

 

When booting the Windows 11 install stick I choose the version, language, layout etc.

Then I come to the drive selection and partitioning. 

I choose the unallocated space and create a new portion. And click next.

 

Then I get this error:

"We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one."

 

I have added the raid card drivers, no change. 

I have tried using diskpart to clean the drive, partition, format, assign and active. 

 

No matter what I do I get this error.

Any ideas?

 

TIA

Fabio

[Radium_Angel]

Are the drives empty? Which drive are you installing (or trying to install) to?

[FabioK]

9 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Are the drives empty? Which drive are you installing (or trying to install) to?

thank you for helping!

So, I am trying to install to the SSD. All drives (4x2 TB) and the SSD are empty and formatting up and down is no problem!

This entire project has 0 data considerations. The only goal is to get this sucker up and running

[Radium_Angel]

1 hour ago, FabioK said:

thank you for helping!

So, I am trying to install to the SSD. All drives (4x2 TB) and the SSD are empty and formatting up and down is no problem!

This entire project has 0 data considerations. The only goal is to get this sucker up and running

Ok, do this, if possible:

 

Pull the RAID controller card out of the syste, and unplug anything connected to it.

See if you can then install Win11 to the SSD

[FabioK]

55 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Ok, do this, if possible:

 

Pull the RAID controller card out of the syste, and unplug anything connected to it.

See if you can then install Win11 to the SSD

Hi, so that won't work, the RAID Card is onboard on the mainboard.

[Radium_Angel]

18 minutes ago, FabioK said:

Hi, so that won't work, the RAID Card is onboard on the mainboard.

Is the Sata SSD connected to the RAID controller?

[FabioK]

1 hour ago, Radium_Angel said:

Is the Sata SSD connected to the RAID controller?

Yes - all the onboard mainboard SATA ports are part of the onboard Raid controller.

[Radium_Angel]

1 hour ago, FabioK said:

Yes - all the onboard mainboard SATA ports are part of the onboard Raid controller.

Pull the SSD out, place in another system install OS there, pull SSD out and re-connect to the microserver

[FabioK]

17 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Pull the SSD out, place in another system install OS there, pull SSD out and re-connect to the microserver

Alright, trying with an old ThinkPad W520 right now that was marked for scrap. Trying Windows 10 first (had the exact same error on the HP MicroServer). I will update shortly!

[FabioK]

51 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Pull the SSD out, place in another system install OS there, pull SSD out and re-connect to the microserver

thx man, this worked great!

So the old ThinkPad W520 will stay in a box just in case

All in all I stuck with Win10 for now.

 

Thank you you

[Radium_Angel]

1 hour ago, FabioK said:

thx man, this worked great!

So the old ThinkPad W520 will stay in a box just in case

All in all I stuck with Win10 for now.

 

Thank you you

Outstanding!

Glad it worked.
 

Cheers!