Windows 8 Install Trouble "Windows cannot be installed to this disk" - Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3

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javi2time

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Jan 21, 2016
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Hey all,

First time PC building here.

So I'm currently in the process of building my first rig. Make it all the way to the windows install (thinking its going well) enter product key, select custom, and then, when prompted with 'Where do you want to install windows' with Drive 0 Allocated Space (My HDD) as the only option. Under this menu I have the option to refresh, load driver or new. But when I click "new" it wont allow me to partition my HDD.

So when I click Drive 0 Unallocated Space, I'm promoted with a message saying "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu."


I've seen post on here with the same problem and I've tried many of the posted solutions. however, none of which have really worked for me. For example, switching to AHCI. I'm assuming its because of different motherboard so there are other ways to work around this.

Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 is the motherboard I'm using.
My HDD is a Seagate Barracuda 1TB

Not realy sure where to go from here but would appreciate any assitance. But thank you in advance!
 
Solution
P
You could try adding that driver in the setup screen. Extract it first if its zipped, and add the inf file in the setup

See if it works. You dont have to format that hdd before you install something on it

But first you have to get it so you can install on it !
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Paul NZ

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Sep 15, 2014
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Shouldn't have to . Win8 will install generic drivers. You can do that later, if it installs

Put it on AHCI in the BIOS. Save settings. Does the BIOS detect the 1 TB?

What are you installing Windows from? A DVD or a USB flash drive?

Doesnt sound like the BIOS is detecting it, check the cables
 
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J

javi2time

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Jan 21, 2016
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thanks for the responses. Yes I've set BIOS to AHCI in the OnChip Sata Controller and yes the BIOS detects the my HDD. Also, I'm installing from USB.

Just not sure why windows wont install to the hard drive.

When I select Standard CMOS Features menu in BIOS my HDD shows as one of the master drives so that means the BIOs detects it right?
 
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basroil

basroil

Glorious
Oct 19, 2013
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That's only in the case of the Intel chipset SATA, and only when ACHI (even some simple RAID configurations, but haven't seen anyone say it definitively works with all RAID configurations) If OP used the marvell SATA chips instead (easy to confuse the two), it might not work without the storage controller drivers. The drive would show up in POST/BIOS just fine, but the installer would throw this error.
 
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J

javi2time

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Jan 21, 2016
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I believe so. Its saying its capacity is 1000 GB.

Is it a problem I can't format or patition my Hard drive? Or should I not need to do that for a windows install.
 
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javi2time

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Jan 21, 2016
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Not sure what Marvell sata chips are but would it matter what sata port my HDD is plugged into? Right now its in 0 but thats a master
 
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basroil

basroil

Glorious
Oct 19, 2013
8,698
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Misread the model number, it's not intel, rather AMD, so it has the AMD chipset controller only. Note that there IS a download for Windows 8 (not shown in 8.1 but the 8 one will work) and 7 for the chipset during install. It's the one that states "AMD SATA AHCI Driver (Preinstall driver, press F6 during Windows* setup to read from floppy)" at http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4305#dl

Make sure you check what version your motherboard is (there are three, 4.1, 5.0, and 6.0) and download the appropriate driver.
 
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P

Paul NZ

Polypheme
Sep 15, 2014
20,779
3
61,010
You could try adding that driver in the setup screen. Extract it first if its zipped, and add the inf file in the setup

See if it works. You dont have to format that hdd before you install something on it

But first you have to get it so you can install on it !
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
J

javi2time

Reputable
Jan 21, 2016
5
0
4,510
Hey Guys. So after trying all viable options in BIOS and still no luck, I ran to the store and figured I'd try a new hard drive. Turns out that was the problem. The new hard drive I bought worked fine and loaded windows perfectly. The original one must have been faulty. Spent almost two days on that problem so I'm glad I figured it out.

Thanks again for the assistance!
 
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