I am stuck with a weird problem here. I am trying to install Windows 10 on an "old" Windows 7 desktop machine for a friend. I purchased an SSD for him, but when I try to install Windows through USB it says:
We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information, see the Setup log files
I have tried:
- Converting the drive to MBR and GPT
- Diskpart -> clean -> create new primary partition -> mark as active
- Remove all CD, SD, etc. drives from the motherboard (they don't appear in BIOS)
- New SATA cable
- Plug SSD into USB adapter and partition the drive on my desktop and mark it as active
However, none of these worked out for me. Very weird. Therefore I want to install Windows on the SSD through USB through my PC. I have a couple of SATA to USB adapters (with power and everything), so the drive basically appears as an USB drive in Windows. How would I go on about installing my Windows ISO on this drive through USB, without screwing up my partitions on my desktop PC?
What I have:
- Windows ISO
- USB adapter to hook up the SSD to my desktop
Let me know what the best approach would be, to solve this issue would be. Thanks!
Best Answer
Worked by using another USB drive. In this case an SD card actually. I had to plug in an USB drive as well (with the same Windows ISO installed), because the installer apparently couldn't find some of the media on the SD card.
TL;DR: Use another USB drive and you won't waste 8+ hours on something stupid.