Going from Windows 7 to 8

[caspeer_costel]

Hello first of all,

My laptop was acting up and decided to reinstall the operating system on it and decided to give Windows 8 a try but I encountered some problems...

I made a bootable flash to install from and when I try to install, on the section of the install wizard when I should select my partition, I can't seem to do anything but format the partitions but not to install on them... I get the following pop-up:

"Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed on GPT disks. Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. The partition contains one or more dynamic volumes that are not supported for installation."

I did some reading and found out that I should somehow with some software convert my partition(s) in order to be able to install.

Could you please explain what this is about and how? Can I only convert one partition while leaving the other 2 as they are? I currently don't have any way to save my data so I can do a full wipe.

Thanks in advance

[SubTract]

Delete the partition you want to install windows on but don't format it then click next on an blank volume it should prompt you that windows need to do something to run correctly. click yes and continue.

If that fails try deleting all the partitions.

[caspeer_costel]

The problem is that I do not have the delete option available. All my partitions are marked as Dynamic and I only have format available under advanced options. All the other options are grayed out. And formating it and hitting next just pops up the same error. I can't continue

[GoodBytes]

You have to format everything, delete all partition, and convert your drive to GPT. You won't be able to keep your data on the drive.

Explanation: Explanation: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824839.aspx?

You can use GParted (free) bootable partition manager program, to do this conversion.

[caspeer_costel]

I seem to have a hard time finding a guide on how to create a GPT partition with GParted. I viewed some videos but saw nothing related to GPT.

Thanks

[GoodBytes]

Oh boy, I don't really remember, I recall I had to remove all partitions, trurning my HDD as if it was brand new, and then in one of the menu options there was somewhere to do make the disc as GPT, and then create again my partitions.

[m0n5t3r]

Hi there,

Being that the Hard disk is dynamic you will not be able to make or delete any partition on your hard drive using the Windows Installation GUI.

This can be fixed using the DISKPART tool

To use this tool to install on your HDD, you can follow these instructions.

1. After booting off the Windows Installation media, use Shift+F10 to open the command prompt.

2. Type diskpart into the command prompt

3. Type list disk. This will show a list of the disks in your system

4. You can select the disk using the ‘select’ option, for example. Select disk 0. This will select disk 0 from the list. For your case make sure you select your HDD. Usually it’s the disk with the most space

5. To make the HDD basically new, type clean. This will basically make your HDD as if it was brand new.

6. Type Exit – This will close the DISKPART tool and type Exit again to close the Command Prompt.

7. You should now be able to create a partition from the Windows Installation GUI.

[caspeer_costel]

@ m0n5t3r[/url=http://linustechtips.com/main/member/4983-m0n5t3r]: I know about those cmd lines. I found them myself but I only have one HDD on my laptop. Can I actually use that? I only have the disk 0 and if that wipes.... what happens ?

[m0n5t3r]

Well, I just put myself into your shoes.

I installed Windows 7 on a virtual machine, and changed the HDD to Dynamic.

Now when I go to install, or delete the volume, from the installation media, I can not. So I recommend using those commands from my previous post. If you do want to do some backup, I highly recommend it. There is no going back from the 'clean' tool of DISKPART

if that wipes.... what happens? Well, you'll lose all the data on your HDD, and it should become available to install on.

[caspeer_costel]

I mean it's not going to freeze on me? I already did a full backup on my external drive and I'm going to give it a try

[m0n5t3r]

It shouldn't freeze up on you.

[caspeer_costel]

Hey,

Well I managed using GParted. The cmd lines didn't and wouldn't work for me since I have only 1 hdd and on that hdd I have my OS. You can't the OS from the OS UI. Thanks for the help guys and have a nice day!

[GoodBytes]

Thanks for keeping up updated!

You are very welcome!