Windows Installation Error; Will not install on Partition

Edwin said:

That's a BIG picture! I won't reply with quote!

Sorry I was able to fix it... I guess the forum doesn't like Spartan Here's the Disk Management window, for real this time...

Here's what I suggest, this is a bit of work, but in the long run the system will run better.

1. If there is data on the laptop that is of any value, back it up
   
   
2. Create an OEM recovery drive (see Dell manual or website)
   or create a Win8 Recovery drive
   See: Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
   
   
3. Create a system image of the machine
   See: System Image - Create in Windows 8

Now you have a way back to where you started.

Download Win8.1 install media and create a bootable DVD or Flash drive
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

Here's why you backed up your system:
Boot to the install media and press Shift F10 at the first screen - this launches a Command prompt window

Launch diskpart and enter the following commands (*** are comments, not part of the commands)

lis dis	*** This gives you a list of drives, select the 400 GB drive
sel dis 0	*** Verify the disk #, the 400 GB drive might be a different number
lis dis	*** the selected drive will have an asterisk '*' on the left *** be certain you select the correct drive, the next command wipes it clean
clean	*** this erases the first and last 100 MB on the drive-essentially removing all disk partitioning information
exit	*** exit diskpart
	Then, press the [X] in the upper right corner of the Command prompt window to close it -- typing exit in the Command prompt might exit the install - not sure.

You're back at the install
See: Clean Install - Windows 8

When Win8.1 is finished installing and you have an account set up
Shrink the C: drive to 100 GB

Minitool Partition Wizard might be easiest for the next steps since Windows Disk Mgmt doesn't have the option to create an extended partition - diskpart does, but Disk Mgmt just keeps creating primary until there are three of them, then it 'helps' you and creates the next (4th) partition as an extended partition.

Create an extended partition using the rest of the space
Create a 100 GB logical drive in the extended partition for your data
Create a 40 GB logical drive in the extended partition for a 2nd OS (Win10)

There's plenty of space left - you can leave it unallocated or slice it any way you see fit. I carve off a good chunk at the end of the drive for cold storage (program install packages, infrequently accessed data, some backups-but the back is on the same drive, so if the drive fails......these are not important files)

Read through the tutorials and ask any questions before taking that step.

I think the main issue is the 39 MB System Reserved partition - it should be a minimum of 100 MB.