Windows Server 2008 R2 Setup Fails: "setup was unable to create a new system partition"

posted 11 Feb 2013, 02:37 by Tristan Self
On a Dell PowerEdge R710 had this error when trying to install Windows Server 2008 R2 Setup. 

PROBLEM

Fails when selecting the disk: "setup was unable to create a new system partition."

All seems to be fine up until that point then it just fails. Even booting from the Dell utility CD gives the same problem.

CAUSE

It turned out to be two separate things, one is the "Virtualisation Technologies" setting, and the other is the internal vFlash card. If either of these is enabled it seems to cause it to fail.

SOLUTION

Start the BIOS of the server then do the following:

  • Processor Settings->Virtualization Technologies-> Set to Disabled
  • Integrated Devices->Internal SD Card Port-> Off
Now restart the setup and you should have no problems.

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