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Cannot install Win7x64 via USB


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I recently built my computer. Have an Asus M5A88-M with a 1TB SATA hard drive.

Using the Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool, it created a flash drive that I can install Windows 7 from.

I tried to install Windows 7 but it gives me an error "Unable to create partition".

I searched online and there are many similar issues. Some say not to boot with a flash drive, but my Win7 setup is on a USB flash drive so that won't be useful.

Some say to change the boot ordering, I have already set the boot order to the 1TB drive first, but the problem still occurs.

The only way I know how to resolve this is to not boot from USB but use the DVD. But my computer doesn't have a DVD drive and I really do not want to buy one since I do not need one for general use.

Is there any way to fix this?

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Try using gParted to create the partition, then try using the USB key again. Maybe doing it this way will mean that Windows won't try and create the partition again?

I'm not sure about this though, I'm just guessing. But gParted is free so you don't lose anything by trying.

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Try using gParted to create the partition, then try using the USB key again. Maybe doing it this way will mean that Windows won't try and create the partition again?

I'm not sure about this though, I'm just guessing. But gParted is free so you don't lose anything by trying.

Forgot to mention that. I already tried that, issue still persists.

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Use DISKPART (Windows) or GPARTED (Linux) to create a proper filesystem on your USB drive (Should be NTFS for WinPE 3.x).

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Try changing the flash drive to different brand. It is a well known issue. Some USB flash drives just don't support W7 installation from them.

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Quick question: Are you using a USB3 port? The reason I ask is because I had a similar problem with installing Windows 7 on a laptop with USB3 ports. I put it in the USB2 port and it ran with no issues. Just a thought.

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Try unetbootin instead of the windows USB creation tool, I've had nothing but trouble with the official tool, but unetbootin works every time with every flash drive I've tried, from higher end crucial flash drives to low end Staples brand drives.

And yes, unetbootin works with creating a windows 7 installer USB.

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Try unetbootin instead of the windows USB creation tool, I've had nothing but trouble with the official tool, but unetbootin works every time with every flash drive I've tried, from higher end crucial flash drives to low end Staples brand drives.

And yes, unetbootin works with creating a windows 7 installer USB.

I tried unetbootin, it won't load the installer.

Quick question: Are you using a USB3 port? The reason I ask is because I had a similar problem with installing Windows 7 on a laptop with USB3 ports. I put it in the USB2 port and it ran with no issues. Just a thought.

Nope, just USB 2.0.

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Wait which one is giving you the partition error, the flash drive or the computer?

It sounds like the computer you are trying to install Windows 7 on to is giving you the error.

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Wait which one is giving you the partition error, the flash drive or the computer?

It sounds like the computer you are trying to install Windows 7 on to is giving you the error.

It is the computer. From what I understand, the installer thinks that I want to install Win7 onto my flash drive (which has Win7 setup files), but the partitions I select are on the SATA hard drive. On other sites people say I should unplug all USB devices and it will work, and it has for me in the past, but this machine that I have does not have a DVD drive and I don't intend to buy one.

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What kind of flash drive are you using? Make and model?

Where did you obtain the ISO from? Has it been altered in some way?

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I have had a few issues as well with doing this.

Make a bootable flash drive by opening a Command Prompt, 'Run as Administrator', to run these commands:

diskpart

list disk ('list disk' to determine number)

select disk 2 ('list disk' to determine number)

clean

create partition primary

select partition 1

active

format fs=fat32

assign

exit

However, there have been instances when using the DVD to USB tool from a 32bit machine to 64bit install fails. The 32bit machine (host machine) may be missing a required file for install to USB of a 64bit OS.

The problem:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/problem-using-win7-usbdvd-download-tool-concerning/37eadf15-85dd-4e56-a89c-fa0a3339b92e

Somewhere in the comments someone posted the link to download the correct file.

Hope this helps you.

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What kind of flash drive are you using? Make and model?

Where did you obtain the ISO from? Has it been altered in some way?

All I know it is a Transcend 16GB microsd. It is plugged into a Transcend microsd->sd adapter, which is plugged into a Velocity 5 SD/MMC usb card reader

It is the ISO from MSDNAA.

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Have you tried setting the SATA channels to Legacy or something similar? Maybe try SATA drivers? I haven't needed to load any for Win7 yet, but something to check.

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Have you tried setting the SATA channels to Legacy or something similar? Maybe try SATA drivers? I haven't needed to load any for Win7 yet, but something to check.

Tried that. Switched between IDE, AHCI, RAID.

It doesn't matter anymore. I borrowed a DVD drive. Installed Win7 from that and imaged it using Acronis. Hopefully restoring it won't be as problematic.

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All I know it is a Transcend 16GB microsd. It is plugged into a Transcend microsd->sd adapter, which is plugged into a Velocity 5 SD/MMC usb card reader

It is the ISO from MSDNAA.

That's a really hairy installation method, please use a USB thumbstick, not a MicroSD card. Even via a USB adapter, it will still give you grief...

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The thing is that I have installed Windows via this method before (microsd-->sd-->usb) and it worked fine. It is only on desktops that it fails.

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try the windows 7 usb download tool to make the usb install key. its a utility provided by microsoft. I have never had a problem with installs by usb that are created with this utility.

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try the windows 7 usb download tool to make the usb install key. its a utility provided by microsoft. I have never had a problem with installs by usb that are created with this utility.

He did use the MS tool.

Glad you got it working. I haven't had issues with Win7, but setting up a WinXP flash drive has always been an adventure for me. Trying to find a drive that works and getting it set up takes forever.

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I actually tried to avoid getting a DVD-burner for my new machine. Trying to steer myself away from optical media and use flash media. Still considering whether or not I should just buy a drive. I actually do have an IDE drive with an IDE to USB adapter in the event I need to read a DVD, but with the $20 prices I guess I might as well buy one. Damn you optical media, y u no go away?

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